WOO-HOO! Let the joyous news be spread! It’s time for
The Contest: Write a children’s story about a Holiday Mishap, mix-up, miscommunication, mistake, or potential disaster (a la Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer :)). Your story may be poetry or prose, silly or serious or sweet, religious or not, based on Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or whatever you celebrate, but is not to exceed 350 words not counting the title (aren’t I being generous?! 🙂 It can be as short as you like, but no more than 350!) Did the dog knock over the Christmas Tree? Did little Johnny’s costume get grape juice all over it moments before the holiday pageant? Did the menorah go missing? Did travel arrangements get snarled or miscommunicated? Did Santa’s sleigh have to make an emergency landing? The field is wide open! Have fun! (And because so many people have mentioned this, the story does not have to be funny! You can have a holiday mishap that is serious or sweet or mysterious… Please don’t feel that you have to go the humor route! Also, because a number of people have mentioned it this time, no art notes please.)
– A Picture Book Manuscript Read and Written Critique by Karen Boss, Editor at Charlesbridge!!! (Priceless!) Karen Boss is the editorial assistant at Charlesbridge Publishing in Watertown, MA. She has a master’s degree in children’s literature from Simmons College and is currently editing projects that range from picture books for younger readers to picture books for older readers to middle-grade novels, both fiction and nonfiction. (But let’s face it, folks! You’re getting YOUR picture book manuscript in front of an actual editor at a highly regarded publishing house! Who knows where that could lead?)
– A Gold Membership to Julie Hedlund’s 12×12 in 2014 (a $150 value)
Little GOLDen Book Membership includes:
- Full access (view and post) to the Main 12 x 12 Forum and Critique Connect (where you can find critique partners)
- Access to the members-only 12 x 12 Facebook Group
- Ability to view the Events, Member Books, Videos/Trailers and Help An Author Out (HAAO) sections of the 12 x 12 Forum
- Opportunity to win craft-related prizes from the monthly featured authors
- Full (view and post) access to the Events, Member Books, Video/Trailers and HAAO sections of the 12 x 12 Forum
- FULL (view and post) access to these additional sections of the 12 x 12 Forum: Query Corner (get feedback on your query letters), Pitch Perfect (get feedback on loglines and pitches), and Manuscript Makeover (get feedback on the first 250 words of your ms)
- Access to the Submission Station section of the 12 x 12 Forum, which will provide information about that month’s agent or editor and instructions on how to submit to him or her.
– 2 signed Picture Books by Linda Ashman – RAIN! and PEACE, BABY! (Keep for yourself or give as a holiday gift to a little person in your life :)) PLUS
a $25 Amazon Gift Card
– A Picture Book Manuscript Critique by Erin Molta Erin is an experienced senior editor of picture book, early readers, chapter, middle grade, and YA books, as well as novelty and licensed titles. She has been in childrens publishing for more than twenty years and has a keen understanding of early reader through YA audiences. She has an excellent reputation with established authors, illustrators, and agents.
– Enrollment in the Online Writing course Making Picture Book Magic in the month of your choice (a $99 value)
– A signed copy of TUGBOAT by Michael Garland (not even released yet!) AND
a signed copy of A TROOP IS A GROUP OF MONKEYS by Julie Hedlund (Keep for yourself or give as a holiday gift to a little person in your life :)) PLUS
a $25 Amazon Gift Card
– A Picture Book Manuscript Critique from author/illustrator Sarah Frances Hardy, author and illustrator of PUZZLED BY PINK (Viking Juvenile, April 2012) and the forthcoming PAINT ME!. A great choice for someone who is both an author and an illustrator – and I know we have quite a few of those here 🙂
– 2014 Children’s Writer’s & Illustrator’s Market by Chuck Sambuchino (your choice of paperback or Kindle edition)
– The Crock Of Charms Anthology – a three volume collection of stories for readers of all ages from writers all over the world including some you probably know 🙂 Robyn Campbell, Cheryl Secomb, Clarike Bowman-Jahn, Theresa Milstein, Lenny Lee, and me, to name a few 🙂
(Run your mouse over the prizes, books, authors, etc… most of them are links)
Wow! Let’s get the Holiday Party started! 🙂
Here is my sample… to prove that in can in fact be done… and because I wouldn’t ask you to do anything I won’t do myself… (But seriously, whose idea was 350 words? It’s cramping my style! :))
And away he flew in the red velvet suit he’s worn ever since.
So now! Everyone filled with confidence about their entries? I certainly hope so after that display! Never let it be said that I’m not willing to be a fool for my art 🙂
I can’t wait to read all of your (much better!) stories! I hope there will be a lot – the more the merrier! And there are still 4+ days to write, so you have time if you haven’t written yet and want to join the fun. Feel free to spread the word to your writing friends as well.
Remember to put your post-specific link (not your general blog link or people will find the wrong page if you post again before the contest is over) in the list below!
Don’t miss 38 entries in the comment section below (which thanks to Penny I’ve figured out how to link, so if you click on the person’s name it will take you directly to that story so you can read and comment… just give it a second to load 🙂 And this intelligence just in – if you’re trying to work these links on iPad or iPhone you will need the google Chrome app to get them to work – Safari won’t do it.)
Nancy – Toby’s Christmas: Ho Ho Ho Or No No No?
Suzy – Reindeer In The Eggnog
Mandy – One Squirrelly Christmas
Lakshmy – Santa’s Stocking
Kristen – The Great Christmas Morning Mix-Up
Teresa S – Always Ready Or Not
Michele – Santa Is Stuck
Kim – Popcorn For Santa On Christmas Eve
Ryan (Rino) – The Adventures Of Jonathan James
Alissa – Santa’s Stuck On the Toilet
Kirsten (not to be confused with Kristen above) – Blackout!
Karen – Santa’s New Toy-Making Machine
Anne – The Gingerbread House Disaster
Ann – The Christmas Present
Sue – Pup Unwrapped
Tim – O Deer
Diane – Frank’s Adventure With Santa And The Elves
Karen Z – Santa’s Snow Angel
Michelle S – Cookies For Papa Noel
Pat – Santa’s Paws
Vicki – Mrs. Claus Saves Christmas
Charlotte – Goldilocks’s Night Before Christmas
Susan – The Christmas Wagon
Pia – Santa Baby
Rachel – Fresh Frosting
Bonnie – The Sound And Smell Of Christmas
Martha – A Christmas Surprise
Patty – Santa’s Special Gift
Susan S – Snowman On A Roll
Kristen 2 – No Sleep For Santa (same author as The Great Christmas Morning Mix-Up above)
Debbie – Home For Christmas
Rita – George’s Christmas Present: A True Story
Sue – Blue Latkes And Salsa
Ruth – Santa Claus Has Lost His Voice
Heather – Behind Schedule
Morgan – A Brother For Christmas
Kelly – Happy Birthday Bambino
Kristen S – Dasher Does A Dash
Happy Writing and Happy Holiday Season!!! 🙂
Susanna Leonard Hill 
Thanks, Kristen!!
Susanna, love your cute story! Lots of great lines: “Dry-cleaning disaster,” “We'll blow that suit off the Big Guy,” and “I don’t like to
mix my holidays” were three of my favorites.
Thanks, Michelle! I'm glad you liked it 🙂
But then I may not win… Or something bad could happen… *dramatic Hollywood scream*
PUP UNWRAPPED
Molly Bunny knew that there were only a few days left until the Big Day. The Christmas tree looked wonderful and Mum was in John's room packing presents.
What Molly saw made her heart beat faster and her eyes twinkle.
Mum held up the cutest little, fluffy black and white puppy Molly had ever seen. How she wished Hector Hedgehog and Ted could see him.
Molly was thrilled. A new toy for John. A new friend for her.
But, oh dear! Molly watched as Mum took a piece of blue sparkly Christmas paper, covered with silver icicles and snowflakes, laid it on the floor and placed the pup right in the middle.
She wrapped him up and put sticky tape on all the corners.
Putting the parcel to one side, Mum began to wrap the other presents. Soon there was quite a pile.
Just then the phone rang and Mum disappeared.
Quickly Molly jumped down onto John's bed, slid down his duvet cover and scampered over to the pile of presents. Burrowing through the heap, she found the puppy parcel and tore the paper away until she got the pup out.
“Hello!” she said, “Are you okay?”
“I'm fine” smiled the pup. Is it Christmas?”
“No, I couldn't possibly leave you wrapped up until Christmas. You might be scared of the dark.”
Pup laughed. “I'm not scared. Look!” He held the wrapping paper up to the light.
“Wow!” she said. “It's beautiful.” Molly could see John's room through a silvery blue haze. It was a wintery wonderland, with glistening, delicate snowflakes falling gently.
“But I was so looking forward to seeing the little boy's face when he opened me!” said Pup sadly.
Mum came in.
Molly darted under the bed.
“What is happening here?” Mum exclaimed, scratching her head. “I thought I'd wrapped you up. In fact, I'm sure I did.”
Mum picked Pup up again and wrapped him in a new piece of paper.
“See you soon!” Pup said, winking at Molly before he vanished.
“I can't wait,” whispered Molly. “It will be a very Happy Christmas.”
Thank you for this competition,Susanna. It has been a lovely challenge. My son wants to know what happened next – so I am happy! – sorry I have posted in both places… as with Lakshmy, I was keen to get it right – and I am sure you will move me! Thanks again! It has been fun reading all the stories. and… Yes, – my name is Susan!
LOL! I was thinking the same thing:) Thanks!
Thank you Elaine!
Thanks Susanna! Thanks for having this wonderful contest. It's my first time entering and there are so many wonderful and funny stories!
LOL- I agree! Thanks Teresa!
Wow! I'm really enjoying these stories. They are all great!
I am soooooo proud of you!!! It is a fantastic story and for Christmas I am giving you a great big bag of self confidence! Love you!! xo
Thanks Dawn! 🙂 Where is yours? I'm waiting… 🙂
Yep. Even Nutty Critters deserve to be part of Christmas. 🙂
I need that bag too. 🙂 Thanks. Hugs and loves, my pal. I'm gone today with my Christopher to have more testing. But I'll visit everyone tomorrow.
Mice vs. Machines! Funny and clever. And they're contrite mice which makes them more lovable. 🙂
I am loving the stories that imitate real life…bathroom issues, illness and all! LOL!
Thank you so much- I am so glad you liked the story! “Turkey Christmas” is straight from the heart- very touching.
What a clever story! The mice are adorable:)
Hi Lakshmy, I love how you captured the delight of the grandmother. Christmas isn't just for kids. Teresa
Thank you so much Teresa! So true- Christmas is for everyone!
Catherine, I couldn't figure out how to comment on your blog, but your story is wonderful! I don't want to give the story away, so I won't say more, but I loved it! 🙂
I am ALWAYS praying for you and Christopher! Good luck! xoxo
The Gingerbread House Disaster
“Class,” announced Mrs. Knickers. “Don’t forget, tomorrow is the holiday gingerbread house contest.”
“AndI’m going to win,” Henry whispered
smugly to Eliza.
“Oh, really,” she whispered back. “Just
you wait.”
Henry had already won the blue ribbon for the Apple Poetry Contest and the Pumpkin Tossing Contest and The Gobble like a Turkey Contest.
Eliza was not about to let him win again.
Athome she took out the flour, eggs and spices and baked up a big batch of delicious gingerbread, then she carefully cut out walls, glued them together with frosting,
rolled up her sleeves and began decorating:
First
she crushed up five peppermint
candies to make a long path;
next
she lined the edges with four red lollipops;
then
she made three windows out of green
gumdrops,
stacked
marshmallows to make two snowmen;
and
finally stuck one gigantic chocolate
bar door on the front.
She scattered powdered sugar all over everything and
WAHLA!
It was perfect!
The next day Eliza walked into school with her gingerbread house tucked safely inside a box.
BZZT!
BZZT!
The school bell rang and all of the students rushed in, eager for the contest to begin, someone bumped into Eliza and…her box fell.
Slowly Eliza picked it up and peeked inside.
Then she sat down; keeping her box at her feet, she knew there would be no winning now.
Henry’s house won first prize (of course).
“Congratulations,” Eliza mumbled.
“Thanks,” said Henry, looking around. “But where’s…?”
(Grumble) “Boy, I sure am getting hungry looking at all this yummy gingerbread.”
(Grrr) “Me too,” said Mrs. Knickers, patting her stomach.
Eliza thought for a moment then slid the box out from under her desk.
She passed the broken bits of her house around the classroom, and after the last morsel was gone, Mrs. Knickers licked her fingers, smacked her lips, stood up and said,
“Students, I would like to declare another winner.
The prize for the most delicious gingerbread house this year goes to… Eliza!”
Everyone cheered, and even Henry smiled as Eliza received her first blue ribbon.
Such a great ending! You had me wondering right up to the end. Love it!
Love the “through the silvery blue haze…” such a nice touch. Nice story!
Oh, I'm so glad there was a happy ending, Anne! I felt so bad for Eliza when her beautiful house fell and broke – haven't we all had something like that happen to us at one time or another?! Thanks for a wonderful entry and for joining the holiday fun! 🙂
All I heard was cookies! What kind are you making? 🙂
I'm so glad you're enjoying it, Alissa! 🙂
Isn't it fun?! I'm hoping my internet connection will last long enough for me to actually read some today… but we've gone from ice to snow… so we'll see!
Dawn Young! I absolutely love Twas the Night Baaaafore Christmas. It's so adorable. Great title too.
And I fixed that page of my blog so that comments can be left; http://writerjolene.blogspot.com/p/day-of-kings.html 🙂 Sorry about that!
Oh yay! Everyone will be happy 🙂
Thank you 🙂
Thanks!
Thanks so much!
Great story! I love it! Very original and fun! Good luck to you!
The Christmas Present
By Ann Magee
The puppy Santa left under my tree on Christmas Eve has been acting a bit weird. Don’t get me wrong…I absolutely LOVE him…his fur is brown, and he is as soft as my favorite fuzzy blanket. He has big brown eyes, skinny legs, and a cute stubby tail. I think he likes the way I taste because he licks me all the time.
When it was time to eat, though, he sniffed his dog food bowl, looked at me, and walked away. I was eating salad for dinner and
dropped a lettuce leaf on the floor. Guess what happened…my dog ate it right up and looked at me for more. So I put my whole bowl of salad on the floor. He loved it…I think my dog is
a vegetarian. He can eat my vegetables every day, no problem!
When it was time to drink, though, he sniffed his water bowl, looked at me, and walked away. I was drinking hot chocolate for
dessert. I even had a candy cane to stir it with. I poured a little into his bowl. Guess what happened…my dog drank it right up and looked at me for more. So I poured my whole cup of hot chocolate in his bowl, candy cane and all. He loved it!
When it was time to go to bed, though, he wouldn’t sit still. He kept running and jumping in the hallway. He leaped off the bed. He leaped off the dresser. Then guess what happened . . . he leaped off
the top of the steps! I must say, he’s a pretty good jumper. He stayed in the air for at least 5 seconds.
I still haven’t decided what to name my puppy . . . oh, wait a minute . . . he’s wearing a name tag. It says, “Blitzen Jr.”. That’s a cool name for a dog, don’t you think?
Thanks, Elaine!!
ENTRY POSTED FOR TIM
‘O Deer’ by Tim Williams
All was quiet at Busy Bee Cottage. Timmy
Elephant had put an extra log on the fire and he and Colin Piggy had toasted
and eaten they’re breakfast crumpets when there was a very loud knock at the
door.
Colin and scampered to the door closely
followed by Timmy. When they opened it they found a small Reindeer stood
outside clutching a rolled up piece of paper.
“Hello” said the reindeer “I’ve come to
stay. I’ve got me letter.’
Timmy took the paper and rolled it out on
the floor.
‘Dear Timmy and Colin’, he read, ‘please
can you look after O Deer till after Christmas. I’ll replace any broken items.
Love Santa.’
‘You’d
better come in then.’ Said Colin
O stepped forward, caught his horns on the doorframe
and grabbed Colin who fell over backwards with O Deer on top.
‘Oh dear’ said O Deer. ‘It was lucky I fell
on you, I might have hurt myself. It’s
me antlers I’ve just grown them and they gets caught on things.’
Colin struggled to his feet trying not to
get prodded in the eye.
O Deer proved a lively companion and Timmy
and Colin often found themselves on the horns of a dilemma trying to keep their
things safe. O Deer was forever knocking things off shelves, cups and jugs went
flying, and they had to untangle him from paper chains, the tablecloth and bed
covers. O Deer always said sorry and one or both of them said ‘Oh Deer never
mind.’
When they went to bed at night O Deer slept
in the middle, Colin and Timmy hardly got a wink with O Deer’s prodding’s.
On Boxing Day Santa stopped by to pick him
up. Santa was as good as his word and left them a box of cups and saucers and
so on. In spite of the commotion he had
caused they were both sad to see him leave.
‘I wonder why they called him O Deer’
Pondered Colin Piggy. ‘I wonder’ said Timmy Elephant.
( images of Timmy and Colin on Linkedin)
This is delightful, Tim! I love poor bumbling O Deer, and I love that Timmy and Coin totally didn't get his name! Thanks so much for a very fun and entertaining entry! I'm so glad you joined the holiday fun!
ENTRY POSTED FOR DIANE
FRANK’S
ADVENTURE WITH SANTA AND THE ELVES
Frank is our big loveable dog with reddish
hair and large brown eyes. He wears a
smile on his face and can’t wait to lick your cheeks when
you get close. His favorite place to snooze is a patch of grass under a tree in our backyard overlooking Beaver Creek.
On Christmas Eve last year, loud sleigh
bells were heard behind our home in Bouton, Iowa.
Santa and his reindeer were running along Beaver Creek in full speed with a sleigh full of presents for all of the children in Iowa!
Frank simply could not resist. He scrambled down the bank and jumped on Santa’s sleigh, while imagining to himself what an adventure this was going to be!
Santa looked at Frank and said, “Well hello my fine hairy friend! If you are going to travel with us, you will have to make yourself useful! You
can help the elves deliver the gifts to all the children on my list!” Frank looked at Santa and barked YES with a wagging tail! Oh, he
couldn’t wait to assist Santa on this cold Christmas night!
Santa and his elves with a very eager Frank proceeded to deliver presents to all of the children in Iowa on that cold, Christmas night.
Frank was a very tired but happy dog by the end of this trip. However, his family was very worried when they woke up and did not see him resting by the fireplace.
A loud bark was heard at the front door of his home at 6 am Christmas morning. Frank’s family opened the door and said, “Frank, where have you been? We’ve been so worried about you!” He barked and wagged his tail while lazily walking to his cushion by the fireplace.
Frank snoozed for a very long time while dreaming
about the exciting sleigh ride with Santa and the elves. He will never forget how happy this trip made all of the children in Iowa that
wonderful Christmas Eve night!
What a lovely adventure for Frank! And I'm sure a dog with a heart that large truly enjoyed making all the children in Iowa happy! Thanks so much for joining in the holiday fun, Diane! 🙂
Oh, I love it, Ann! What a delightful story! I wonder whether your child ever figured out what his/her puppy really was? 🙂 And Now I want hot chocolate with a peppermint stick 🙂 Thanks so much for joining in the holiday shenanigans over here! 🙂
Settings
YAY! Love the new link to the stories that are in the comments section. Now I don't have to scroll through each time. Thanks, Susanna and Penny!!!
Wonderful story and I've no doubt any one of my dogs would have liked such an adventure!
Yes, it makes things much easier! Luckily Penny is smart enough to figure these things out and I can follow directions well enough to execute 🙂
Funny how Santa just knew there would be broken items with O Deer visiting 🙂 O Deer, what a cute story 😉
That was a Wonderful story Ann! At first I thought the puppy was going to turn out to be a rabbit. I enjoyed reading it very much 🙂
Great ending! And very cute story 🙂