Would you look at this? It’s Wednesday again! Where does the time go?!
I miss seeing you guys on Mondays and Fridays, but it’s a good thing I’m not trying to post 3 days a week right now – I’d never manage! 🙂
This week I have been to Massachusetts and Maine… where I STILL did not see a real live moose! Everyone else on earth has seen a moose, but not me. Nosirreebob! I think they run away when they see Princess Blue Kitty approaching. But I’m going to keep on trying! I have spent many hours sorting through boxes of stuff that came home from college and needs to be washed and packed away for the summer – but don’t be jealous – it’s not as glamorous as it sounds 🙂 I got to visit with my daughter and son-in-law and granddaughters over 4th of July weekend, and also with my parents – lots of cookouts! Also lots of blueberry pie baking and eating 🙂 And today I have a school visit… well, technically it’s a day care since school is out for the summer, but same idea 🙂 I feel pretty certain there’s more, but my head is spinning from all the driving and I can’t remember 🙂
So! Onward!
First, it is my pleasure to announce that the winner of the May Pitch Pick is Todd! Congratulations on an intriguing pitch, Todd! It has already been sent to editor Erin Molta and I’m sure you will hear from her shortly!
Congratulations to all our other pitchers as well – you all did a terrific job! Even with such a helpful and generous crew of readers as we are fortunate to have over here for Would You Read It, it takes a lot of courage to post your pitch for people to comment on. I know I speak for everyone when I say you are very brave and committed to honing your craft and we all applaud you for it.
Let’s skip merrily on to the June Pitch Pick now.
Here are the pitches:
#1 Kimberly – Sprinkles Goes To School – Picture Book (ages 4-8)
Sprinkles the Clown wants to fit in with her classmates on the first day of Kindergarten, but when her show-and-tell juggling act goes wrong, all the kids laugh at her, in a way even clowns don’t like. However, as a storm rolls in scaring all the students, Sprinkles puts her own fears aside and uses one of her true clowning skills to save the day!
#2 Katey – Dandelion Wishes – Picture Book (ages 3-7)
4 year-old Gia and her mother marvel in the changing seasons from their house on the hilltop until dandelion wishes disappear, and with them Gia’s sense of magic. She finds it again in her first experience of snow. A lyrical, share-able picture book at 578 words, Dandelion Wishes celebrates the everyday magic of nature and family.
#3 Amanda – Immortal Island – YA
#4 Stacey – The Bad Guys’ Breakfast – Picture Book (ages 3-7)
Please vote for the pitch you think is most deserving of a read by editor Erin Molta in the poll below by Sunday July 13 at 5 PM EDT.
Many thanks!
Now, I don’t know about you, but I am definitely in need of Something Chocolate! And given the extreme heat, I think something cool and refreshing is called for…
 |
| Butterscotch ice cream sandwiched between chocolate chip cookies – YUM! Recipe here: http://mom.me/food/8552-chocolate-chip-ice-cream-sandwich/ |
It is VERY hot, so if you need 2 or 3, you know, in the interest of keeping your core at a safe temperature :), please help yourselves! 🙂
And now that we are thusly fortified and cooled off, let’s have a look at today’s pitch.
It comes to us from Brandie who says, “In the library story time world I am known as Miss Brandie. At home I am mom, mama, or MAMA! Either way my life is centered around kids…and… books. After reading what has seemed like a bazillion books aloud to children, I decided that I wanted to read one of my own. Thus, my journey into the picture book writing world was born.”
Here is her pitch:
Working Title: The Trouble With Keeping Vikings
Age/Genre: Picture Book (ages 4-6)
The Pitch: Having a horde of Vikings come stay for a visit sounds harmless enough, right? Wrong! From snot-snakes to clashing swords, the outrageous antics of these pesky Vikings seem to be never-ending. But who will come to the rescue and bring them under control?
So what do you think? Would You Read It? YES, MAYBE or NO?
Brandie is looking forward to your thoughts on her pitch! I am looking forward to catching up on all the work I didn’t do while I was driving around the eastern seaboard!
Have a wonderful Wednesday, everyone!!! 🙂
Susanna Leonard Hill 
Thanks for your helpful comments for Brandie, Lauri! And ooh! Lucky you! The perfect chocolate snack for a hot day 🙂
Thanks for your very thoughtful and helpful comments for Brandie, Michelle!
Thank you so much for your helpful suggestions for Brandie, Annie!
Water is important in hot weather, Jill – almost as important as ice cream 🙂 Stay hydrated! And thanks so much for your insightful comments for Brandie!
Apparently you live in the good weather area of the world, Joanne 🙂 I wonder if we need to look at any colleges in Michigan? 🙂 Luckily ice cream is a snack that is good in any weather 🙂 Thanks so much for all your helpful thoughts and suggestions for Brandie – I like the pesky pillagers 🙂
I know! Isn't it great how everyone learns and improves? Thanks so much for your thoughtful comments for Brandie, and oh yes! If I see a moose I will DEFINITELY offer him a muffin!!! 🙂
It does sound like tons of fun, doesn't it? But which do you think would smell worse? The Vikings or the hockey team? That's a tough call! 🙂
Thank you so much for your helpful suggestions for Brandie, Johnell! And yes! Suggestions are always welcome – that is how we learn! – as long as they are given in a spirit of helpfulness as yours are. Thanks so much for chiming in!
One of these days I'm going to see a moose… just hopefully not at 60 mph in front of my car! 🙂 Thanks so much for your thoughtful suggestions for Brandie!
I'm so glad you enjoyed the ice cream treats, Angela! That is why they are here 🙂 Thanks for voting and for your helpful thoughts for Brandie!
Thanks so much for chiming in with all your helpful thoughts, Sue!
Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts with Brandie, Clar! Very helpful 🙂
Thank you so much for all your very helpful comments for Brandie, Joanne! I love the idea of mistaking the poodle for mutton 🙂
Such a good point, Genevieve! Thanks so much for chiming in for Brandie!
Come by anytime! It is certainly worth a visit (at least once), and I can promise lots of chocolate. The moose love to be right in the middle of town (no fence is high enough to keep them out). In fact, one came by when we were playing with the kids at a play ground. I put it at the end of my welcome video for my site.
Oh wow! That is so cool! Now I must come see your welcome video immediately! 🙂
Now I've seen it! That was amazing! The moose just walked right by! Was that a big moose or a little moose?
It was a little one (a yearling) if you can call any moose little. It was close. The kids were safe up at the top of the jungle gym and had a great view!
I'm late to the game, but I agree with much of what I'm reading here in the comments. The idea and imagery is great – I adore the “snot-snakes,” for example! It alsp seems very marketable and fun! However, it would be a much better pitch if it was in a more active voice. You can try breaking it down to ABC's (Actor, Behavior, Condition) – as in “Tommy (A) must convince the pesky Vikings to mind their manners (B) before his mom comes home and finds the mess (C). Keep that very simple and direct, then add the imagery and adjectives you need to give it a voice that matches your story.
YES!!! OF COURSE I WOULD READ THE BOOK!!! I LOVE vikings! 😀 This book sounds hilarious!
Great food choice, Ms. Hill!
I voted!
Erik
Brandie, I love the idea for this story with Vikings 🙂 I didn't read all the comments as I usually do, so will simply say I'd like to see the first sentence changed simply because “the average person” would never think Vikings would be harmless 🙂 BUT—the MC could, so maybe something like:
“MC's name” wondered how he ever could've thought a visit from a horde of Vikings could be harmless.
Good luck with it! And Susanna…those ice cream sandwiches! *sigh*
Thanks so much for your comments for Brandie, Donna! And as for the ice cream sandwiches, I believe it's the butterscotch ice cream that makes them so especially sigh-worthy 🙂
I knew you would like this idea, Erik! 🙂 And the snack! Thanks for your comments for Ms. Reedy!
Thanks so much for your very helpful suggestions for Brandie, Maria!
Very helpful, Katey, thank you for chiming in for Brandie!
Thanks! It is quite comical…or at least I think so. Lol
Yeah, I thought maybe it was young… hence its visit to the playground 🙂 So awesome!
Chuckle, chuckle. 🙂
This sounds like a really funny book that boys would love. Sure, I would read it. I agree what others have said about having a more active voice.
YAY! I know it's too late to comment, Susanna, but WOO HOO! I can get here through my google chrome! I'll remember next week! Happy Friday! 🙂
YAY!!! It is never too late to comment, and I am THRILLED that you found a way to get through! I hope you're not having to jump through too many hoops! Happy Friday to you too, and an apple for Georgia 🙂
Thank you so much for sharing your two cents with Brandie, Rosi! I know she'll appreciate it! 🙂
The outrageous antics (snot snakes!) have me intrigued. 🙂
I haven't seen a moose! On our road trip though we saw plenty of moose crossing signs. My hub really wanted to see one. I did too, but not on the road while driving!
You need to visit me, Susanna. I saw a young moose in my neighborhood last year while I was going for a run. Fortunately it didn't have any antlers yet.
I would love to visit you! I know you're in Canada though… probably a pretty long drive… 🙂 You'll have to make sure the moose is hanging around if I drive all that way 🙂
I know! I want to see one grazing majestically in no danger of a run-in with my car 🙂 Thanks for your comments for Brandie 🙂
Ha! Okay. My son would think that was funny.