Ear of frog and toe of newt! It’s finally time for . . .
The 6th Annual HALLOWEENSIE CONTEST!!!!!
aahhhrrrooooOOOOO!!!!!
The Contest: write a 100 word Halloween story appropriate for children (title not included in the 100 words, children here defined as 12 and under), using the words spider, ghost, and moon. Your story can be scary, funny or anything in between, poetry or prose, but it will only count for the contest if it includes those 3 words and is 100 words (you can go under, but not over!) Get it? Halloweensie – because it’s not very long and it’s for little people 🙂 (And yes, I know 100 words is short but that’s part of the fun and the challenge! We got nearly 150 fantastic entries last year so I know you can do it!) Also, you may use the words in any form – e.g. moon, moons, mooned, spidery, ghostly, whathaveyou 🙂 No illustration notes please!
Post your story on your blog between right now this very second and Monday October 31st by 11:59 PM EDT and add your post-specific link to the list below. There will be no Perfect Picture Book post on Friday Oct. 28 so the post and the list of links will stay up all weekend for everyone to enjoy. If you don’t have a blog and would like to enter, you can simply copy and paste your entry in the comments section below. (Or, if you have difficulty with the comments, which unfortunately sometimes happens, you may email your entry to me and I’ll post it for you! Please place your entry in the body of the email – NO ATTACHMENTS!) P.S. Although I try to stay glued to my computer 24/7 I am sometimes forced to leave my desk. If you haven’t commented on my blog before, your comment won’t show up until I approve it. It may take a little while if I’m away from my desk. Likewise, if you send me an entry to post, I promise I will do it as soon as I can!
The Judging: in a grueling marathon over the following days, my lovely assistants and I will narrow down the entrants to 3 top choices (hee hee hee – you know how much trouble I have with only 3, so we’ll see) which will be posted here and voted on for a winner on Monday November 7th. The winner will be announced on either Wednesday November 9 or Thursday November 10. If we get more than 20 entries, I will post 6 finalists and give prizes for 1st through 3rd. If by some chance we get the kind of turn out we did last year, all bets are off. I may post as many as 10 finalists and I’ll probably end up giving everyone a prize 🙂 But we’ll cross that bridge when we get to it 🙂
Judging criteria will be as follows:
- 1. Kid-appeal! – These stories are intended for a young audience (ages 12 and under), so we’re looking for stories that children will enjoy and relate to.
- 2. Halloweeniness – the rules state a Halloween story, so it must be crystal clear that the story is about Halloween, not just some random spooky night.
- 3. Quality of story – entries must tell a story, including a main character of some kind and a true story arc even if it’s tiny 🙂 Entries must not be merely descriptions or mood pieces.
- 4. Quality of Writing: check your spelling, grammar, punctuation etc. If you’re going to rhyme, give us your best 🙂 Overall writing quality and use of language are also important.
- 5. Originality and creativity – because that is often what sets one story above another.
The Prizes:
– a Picture Book Manuscript Critique by wonderful editor Marilyn Brigham of Two Lions!!!
Marilyn Brigham
Marilyn Brigham edits picture books, chapter books, and middle grade for Two Lions, the children’s imprint at Amazon Publishing. Her recent titles include Go to School, Little Monster by Helen Ketteman, illustrated by Bonnie Leick and The Secret Knock Club: The Great Sleep-Under, by Louise Bonnett-Rampersaud, illustrated by Adam McHeffey. She is looking for commercial, character-driven picture books and chapter books; holiday picture books; and widely appealing, high-concept middle grade. She is not currently acquiring board books or nonfiction.
– a Picture Book Manuscript Critique by the fabulous agent Jodell Sadler of Sadler Children’s Literary Agency!!!
Jodell Sadler
– winner’s choice of a Picture Book Manuscript Critique or a 15-minute phone call for all your writerly questions from fantastic author Katy Duffield (LOUD LULA – Two Lions 2015, FARMER MCPEEPERS AND HIS MISSING MILK COWS – Cooper Square Publishing 2003, ALIENS GET THE SNIFFLES TOO – forthcoming from Candlewick, and many other titles)
Katy Duffield
– winner’s choice of a Picture Book Manuscript Critique or a Query Letter Critique from amazing author Dori Kleber (MORE-IGAMI, Candlewick 2016)
Dori Kleber
– a Picture Book Manuscript Critique from the awesome Vivian Kirkfield, author of the forthcoming SWEET DREAMS, SARAH – Creston Books, 2017) AND personalized signed copies of her wonderful books SHOW ME HOW and the LUCKY DRAW ANTHOLOGY.
Vivian Kirkfield
– a Bundle Of Books from KidLit411 (must be selected by someone in the USA due to postage) including:
Picture Books:
THEY ALL SAW A CAT by Brendan Wenzel
GOODNIGHT GOODNIGHT CONSTRUCTION SITE by Sherri Duskey Rinker
THE LITTLE MOUSE, THE RED RIPE STRAWBERRY AND THE BIG HUNGRY BEAR by Don and Audrey Wood
A MORNING WITH GRANDPA- Sylvia Liu
Middle Grade Books:
THE GEOGRAPHY OF YOU AND ME- Jennifer E. Smith
SUNNY SIDE UP Jennifer and Matthew Holm
IF YOU’RE READING THIS Trent Reedy
AL CAPONE DOES MY SHIRTS Gennifer Choldenko
(What a totally awesome book bundle for writers, readers, parents, teachers, or gift-givers!!!)
– a 6 month subscription to One Stop For Writers (value $50)
– an e-pub or PDF copy (winner’s choice) of Linda Ashman‘s Nuts And Bolts Guide To Writing Picture Books.
– a personalized signed copy of THE PEDDLER’S BED by Lauri Fortino
– a personalized signed copy of GRIMELDA THE VERY MESSY WITCH by Diana Murray
Please join me again in thanking these very generous authors and other writing professionals for contributing their books and writing expertise as prizes by visiting their websites and blogs, considering their books and services for holiday or other gift purchases, rating and/or reviewing their books on GoodReads, Amazon, B&N or anywhere else if you like them, or supporting them in any other way you can dream up 🙂
Now then. Time for my sample entry which I provide because I would never ask you to do anything I wouldn’t do myself. Also, in case anyone is worried about the quality of their entry they have only to read my truly horrific attempt to be filled with confidence that their’s is MUCH better! I have to confess, I was really down to the wire this year (my schedule is a little bit nuts!), I have a deadline for tomorrow… which also means I may be a little behind getting started reading entries… just so you know… but I digress!
So, here goes nothing…!
Won’t You Come Into My Parlor…? (100 words)
The Halloweensie Spider was lonesome as could be.
“Nobody ever comes to visit me.
“I know!” she said. “I’ll plan a big to-do!”
So she sent out invitations to everyone she knew.
The Halloweensie Spider got ready for her guests.
Hot apple cider and candy treasure chests.
Games organized for lots of friendly fun
Like Pumpkin Golf, a Witch Ring Toss, and Find The Skeleton.
The Halloweensie Spider stood at her moonlit door
Greeting the witches, goblins, ghosts, and more.
“So glad you came!” she told them with a smile.
“Forgive my sticky floors, but I hoped you’d stay awhile!”
Everyone feeling better about their stories now? I should certainly HOPE so! 🙂
Also, this is so weird I just have to share it. I realized belatedly that totally by chance, my sample entry from last year also included the 3 words from this year. Look!
Halloween Surprise! (100 words)
Halloween. Trick-or-treat.
Spooky shadows. Darkened street.
Suddenly my brother, Jay,
Tugs my arm. “Let’s go this way!”
He pulls me off the beaten track,
Passes Old Man Clancy’s shack.
Creeping fog licks at our heels.
I don’t like the way this feels.
Something glides in silent flight,
Ghostly shapes against the night.
“Witches! Let’s go home!” I say.
“Owls. Let’s go on,” says Jay.
Spidered moonlight through the trees.
Heartbeat pounding. Shaky knees.
Up ahead this haunted night
Monsters dance by bonfire light!
Turning! Running!
Then, “SURPRISE!”
Costumed monsters end disguise.
Cake and presents, friends who say,
“Happy Halloween Birthday!”
How weird is that?! But I figured it would be cheating to use it again 🙂
I can’t wait to read all of your entries! I’m so looking forward to them! I hope there will be a lot – the more the merrier! And there are still nearly 5 days to write, so you have time if you haven’t written yet. Feel free to spread the word to your writing friends as well. And your reading friends – parents, teachers, etc. The more people who read and enjoy your stories, the better!!!
So! I don’t love this link system, but it’s all I have, so my apologies and do your best with it, and let’s hope it works!
Contest Entrants, remember to add your post-specific link to the linky list below so we can all come read your awesome stories! (Post-specific means not your main blog url, but the actual url of the post that has your story in it – otherwise if you post again before the contest ends, your link will take readers… and judges!… to the wrong place!)
Eager Readers – you ALSO need to click the “click here” to add your entry button on the linky list just to see the list of links. I apologize profusely for the inconvenience of not having the list visible right here on my site. But this, apparently, is wordpress…
Powered by Linky Tools
Click here to enter your link and view this Linky Tools list…
Happy Writing and Happy Halloween!!! 🙂
Susanna Leonard Hill 
ENTRY POSTED FOR KATHERINE
LET’S TRICK-OR-TREAT!
By Katherine Rothstein
A spider crept out
on Halloween night
by the light of the moon,
and the moon was bright.
The moon went dim
as it hid behind a cloud.
Spider heard a “BOO!”
and the BOO was LOUD!
Out shone the moon
as a gust sent a chill.
Spider heard a “SCREECH!”
and the SCREECH was SHRILL!
As shadows drew near,
Spider cried, “EEEK!”
Eight knees QUIVERED,
and the QUIVER went CREAK!
Spider’s heart pounded with a beat, Beat, BEAT!
“Surprise!”, ghost and owl howled,
“C’mon, Let’s Trick-or-Treat!”
Love the sounds!
This was so much fun to read!
Great read-aloud fun! Wonderful word choices!
Ooh! Just the right amount of spooky, Katherine! Love all the onomatopoeia! And that in the end the friends go trick-or-treating together! Tons of fun! Thanks so much for joining in the Halloweensie madness! 🙂
This was lots of fun to read…and to read aloud, Katharine…GREAT job…love the rhythm and rhyme. 😉
ENTRY POSTED FOR JIM
Spider and Ghost
By Jim Chaize
On a moonless Halloween night,
Spider and Ghost clashed in a fight.
“My loudest boo,” Ghost declared.
“Causes thousands to be scared.”
“I’m clearly the scariest!” Spider screamed.
“A nightmare children have often dreamed.
Ghost boos flew with yowls and bangs.
Spider showed her venomous fangs.
Behind a tombstone, a monster rose,
with a bolted neck and ghoulish nose.
“You’re the scariest?” the creature chuckled.
As he stepped forward, their bravery buckled.
Spider’s legs shook, while Ghost shivered.
Feeling a fear they never delivered.
Spider and Ghost raced off in fright,
Knowing neither of them was right.
I love this poem! Great rhyme and meter, and funny twist at the end. It has a bit of a Shel Silverstein feel to it, which is always a good thing in my book.
Fun rhyming story! 🙂
Hahaha, Jim! Poor Spider and Ghost – both so sure they’re the scariest only to be outdone! Nice story, great ending! Thanks so much for joining in the Halloweensie fun!
Lots of fun, Jim…glad Spider and Ghost got away. 😉
Here is my contest entry. This was fun!
GHOSTS SAY BOO
By Danielle S. Hammelef
It’s Halloween, October thirty-first,
Time when ghouls do their very worst.
Moon peeked from behind Cloud,
Who wore mottled mist like a shadowy shroud.
“Wake up, Ghost! Time to raise hairs.
Time to turn daydreams into nightmares.”
Ghost shook Spider off her see-through sheet.
Spider spun a teensy parachute, settled softly on all eight feet.
Trick-or-treaters raced from gate to gate.
Moon spotlighted Ghost. “Yell ‘BOO!’ Don’t wait!”
Ghost cleared her throat. She knew what to do.
But instead of ‘Boo!’ Ghost moaned, “Moo!”
The kids giggled. Moon rolled her eyes.
Ghost always knew she was a comedian in disguise.
I love the ending with Moon rolling her eyes and Ghost as “a comedian in disguise.” Clever and creative rhyme!
Thank you for your compliments! 🙂
Very funny, Danielle 🙂 Love that ghost is a comedian in disguise 🙂 Thanks so much for a fun story and for joining in the Halloweensie madness! 🙂
Moon’s Halloween, by Marilyn Garcia
The moon frowned down from her lonely perch.
“I want to trick-or-treat.”
A costume -but what? Ghost or ghoul? What could ever disguise her?
She plunged down, down to the piney woods.
Where sappy cones and sticks
Clung tight to her skin. She emerged. Hairy, huge – a spider!
She creep, creep, crawled on the crowded walk
With children dressed to scare.
A night full of fun, tricks and treats, candy gathered in piles.
Now she looks down with a happy glow.
So on a spooky night
A friend hovers near, shiny, bright, smiling her candy corn smiles.
I like how moon disguised herself and “creep, creep crawled on the crowded walk.” Fun story!
Nice, Marilyn! I imagine Moon would make a pretty big hairy scary spider 🙂 I like the same line Gabi does – “She creep, creep, crawled on the crowded walk” – and also the end – “A friend hovers near, shiny, bright, smiling her candy corn smiles.” Thanks so much for joining in the Halloweensie fun!
FRANKIE’S FABRICATION
By Amanda Sincavage
Little Frankie N. Stein
was excited for Halloween night.
She went door-to-door collecting treats
that would complete her masterpiece
– a leg here, an ear there,
nose, mouth, tongue, hair.
Back at home alone in the garage,
moonlight shone in as she assembled her montage.
The last step – spider cider potion,
a ghostly chant, and a magic motion:
POOF!
Smoke settled; the table was bare.
Her creation’s alive! But where?
Frankie N. Stein
heard sounds from behind.
She turned slowly around
and happily found…
her greatest creation – a girl’s best friend.
She extended her arms and her dog jumped in.
Love this spooky poem, Amanda, with the sweet ending. Great fabrication! Happy Halloween!
What a creative story! And I love the charming ending.
Ooh! Nice spooky poem with clever rhymes and language and a fun, sweet, unexpected ending! Thanks so much for joining in the Halloweensie madness, Amanda!
GREAT job, Amanda…I especially love the end…so sweet!
The Witch’s Broom
by Judy Sobanski
The wicked witch she had an itch
to ride upon her broom.
She gazed into her crystal ball
and searched through every room.
She questioned “Boney” skeleton,
each spider, ghost and goon.
She even quizzed an alien
whose homeland was the moon.
Her broom was nowhere to be found.
The witch began to cry,
“With such a snag, seems this old hag
is never going to fly!”
Then wily witch, she improvised,
you really should have seen her.
That wicked witch, she pulled a switch
and rode the vacuum cleaner!
Love it, now if she could just fly over to my house and vacuum up! Great rhyming and really fun story!
So clever and wonderful rhyming! Really enjoyed it!
Haha, love this! Very creative!
Lots of fun, family gave this 👍~Yvette
Love this 🙂
Hah! Great ending!
This is adorable!
Well done! Very clever and fun 🙂
Oh what fun, Judy. That witch is so clever! Happy Halloween!
Resourceful Witch! Fun story, delightful rhyme Judy.
Loved it Judy! Very funny!!!!
Great poem and I love that she “rode the vacuum cleaner.” So clever!
Wow, Judy! So much fun to read aloud! Great, post-on rhyme and meter, fun story, clever funny ending! Nicely done! Thanks so much for joining in the Halloweensie craziness! 🙂
Perfect, Judy! Vacuum cleaner…that is priceless…and your rhyme is super good!
A Headless Halloween
by Jill Proctor
Hazy moonlight
Halloween
Ghouls and goblins
Ghosts unseen
Graveyard setting
Barbecue
Monster meatballs
Spider stew
Headless horseman
Brought the punch
Just in time for
Midnight brunch.
“Pour the punch,” a
Warlock said.
“Mush-brain brew’s
Inside my head.”
Monsters drank as
Head passed ‘round.
Gremlin dropped it
On the ground.
Wicked witches
Watched it fall.
“Look! A hollow
Bowling ball!”
Witches tumbled
Brooms and bones,
Party guests, and
Graveyard stones.
Headless horseman
Grabbed his head.
“I’ve had enough!
It’s time for bed!”
But horseman couldn’t
Catch a snooze.
Instead, he’d caught the
Headache blues.
Poor headless horseman. I can see how he’d have a headache after all that bowling! Fun and creative story! 🙂
Quite the Halloween Party, Jill! Great rhyme and meter! And poor Horseman 🙂 Thanks so much for joining in the Halloweensie fun!
Lots of fun, Jill…great action and I love your characters. 😉
I’ve been traveling and have missed so many, but the ones I’ve had a chance to read have been fun. Good luck, everyone.
Aunt Claire’s Soul Cake
Every year on All Hallows’ eve
My restless aunt Clair
A cake did weave.
Shaped like the full moon
But black as soot
Dusted with ash ‘n’ spider-sprinkles.
In a three-legged pot
She put it to cook
On a bed of red-hot peat.
The fumes ‘n’ flames
Casting ghostly shadows
On the eve of trick or treat.
60 words
Short and sweet! I love the “ash ‘n’ spider sprinkles.”
Ooh, nice Corine! I’m not entirely sure I’d want to eat THAT cake (though I’m game for pretty much anything if it’s cake 🙂 ) Love the “ash ‘n’ spider sprinkles” and the ghostly shadows cast by the fumes ‘n’ flame! Spooky 🙂 Thanks so much for joining in the Halloweensie fun!
ENTRY POSTED FOR LINDA
Tree’s Halloween Costume by Linda Hofke
Halloween’s here. Kids trick-or-treat.
Witches, monsters, and ghosts fill the street.
Gnarly tree watches jealously,
wishing it could dress up. But tree’s a tree.
A Princess parades in satiny gown.
Gracing her head is a sparkly crown.
Tree has a crown but will never be
a Halloween princess. Tree’s a tree.
Two dressed as dogs bark and chase
one costume cat all over the place.
Tree has bark but, unfortunately,
can’t dress as a dog. Tree’s a tree.
Clouds disperse, revealing the moon.
Light shines down and very soon
tree’s shadow creeps, bigger and wider,
forming a black Halloween spider.
Such lovely images, Linda, and I love how tree gets to participate in the end. Happy Halloween!
Lovely wordplay, rhyme, and repetition! This one feels really fun and authentic to me. Thanks for sharing!
I just love a spooky Halloween tree…great job!
Great imagery and I’m glad the moon helps tree get into costume!
Wow, Linda! Such a clever story! I love that tree wants to dress up and that you worked in crown and bark so beautifully. And I love the eventual costume – perfect! Thanks so much for joining in the Halloweensie fun!
Linda…I think you’ve got something here…I love the refrain, a tree;s a tree…keep this idea handy…maybe it will be a PB. 😉
ENTRY POSTED FOR SHARON
BEWARE THE FULL MOON HALLOWEEN
“Beware of children dressed as spiders who cross your path during full moon Halloween.” The words spun around like a scary-go-round in Little Ghost’s head. Seven years good luck would curse you. This WAS a full moon Halloween.
Little fussed in his sleep. Spider-costumed children haunted him. Their itchy scratchy costumey legs wrapped around him like a mummy.
“What a daymare!”
Scaring time chimed! Little and his friends booooooed. They oooohed. A spider costume crossed Little’s path. He screamed. The costume came off. A child! That costume came off. It was Little’s friend. Little’s fear floated away.
By Sharon Coffey
Love the wordplay of scary-go-round and daymare. Cute!
Love the words spinning around like a “scary-go-round” and the double costume twist at the end!
What a fun twist on Halloween, Sharon! Love the fact that children haunt Little Ghost, that seven years’ good luck is a curse, and that he has daymares 🙂 And what a clever fun ending! Thanks so much for joining in the Halloweensie fun!
Sharon…this is really good…I love the ‘scary-go-round….and what a great twist at the end. 😉
ITTY BOO GHOST by Monica Stoltzfus
Itty Boo was outside the dark window- a flitting, fleeting shadow in the moonlight on Halloween Night.
He hissed and huffed, whistled and puffed…
“Boooooo,” he whispered.
Far from loud, barely a peep, Itty Boo Ghost could not be heard.
By anyone.
“I’ll never be a scary, haunting ghost.
I’m itty, bitty, and too quiet to count…”
The silent ghost slunk down deep in the bushes, overcome with despair.
“What now?” he wondered.
As Itty Boo sulked, and sneered and snoodled,
An itty bitty spider creeped and crawled onto Boo’s thumb.
“BOOOOOOOOO!!!!!” he screamed, and was FINALLY heard.
By everyone.
Too funny! I love the images of Itty Boo sulking, sneering and snoodling! Happy Halloween!
I love the name Itty boo ghost, such a cute story.
Adorable ghost story!
Oh! Poor Itty Boo! It’s hard to be a quiet ghost 🙂 Love him sulking, sneering and snoodling (what a great word!) and glad spider finally scared the BOOOOO!!!! out of him so he would be heard! 🙂 Thanks so much for joining in the Halloweensie madness, Monica!
Great job, Monica…hurray for Itty Boo!
ENTRY POSTED FOR BEV
Woody Sings on Halloween by Bev Erickson
“Ring,” rang the doorbell.
“Woof, woof!” barked Woody, darting towards the front door.
“Trick-or-treat?” begged the goblin, ghost, and spider.
“Woof, woof, woof!” barked Woody.
In reached scary hands toward the candy bowl.
“Woof, woof, woof, woof!” barked Woody.
“Thank you,” called the visitors while the closing door blocked out the moonlight.
Aunt Carla let go of Woody’s collar and patted him on the head. “It’s alright.” she reassured. “They’re gone now.”
Woody’s tail wagged triumphantly as he returned to lie by the fireplace.
“Ring, Ring,” rang the doorbell…
“Again?!”
“WOOF! WOOF! WOOF!” barked Woody…
“Trick-or-treat?”…
This sounds like our house on Halloween night! Poor Woody!
Yes, this sounds familiar! 🙂 At the end of the evening, our dog is exhausted from protecting us from ghouls and ghosts. Fun story! 🙂
Oh my goodness! A busy night for poor Woody, protecting the homestead from scary-looking invaders! Glad he’s up for the job, but I’m thinking he’s going to need some extra treats after all that! Thanks so much for joining in the Halloweensie fun, Bev!
ENTRY POSTED FOR GABRIELLE
The Spider and the Fly by Gabrielle Schoeffield
Cold, star-filled night.
First snow of the season left a blanket of white.
Moonlight showed the way for witches, ghouls, and ghosts
Muffled sounds of laughter filled the air as Trick-or-Treaters gathered
at the lamp post to show off their loot.
A scream pierced the quiet as Miss Muffet discovered her uninvited guest.
The fly buzzed away.
The Spider just smiled.
Love it, Gabrielle! Miss Muffet featured in my story, too. Happy Halloween!
Ooh, a snowy Halloween. Fun Halloweensie twist on the Miss Muffet nursery rhyme.
Ooh! A cold and snowy Halloween! Doubly shivery 🙂 I have a feeling that spider is up to no good! Thanks so much for joining in the Halloweensie fun, Gabrielle!
Webster’s Spin By Carol H. Crane
In the Park of Ghostly Groans,
Webster’s party was ruined by moans.
The sky was stark—
so scary-dank dark—
little beggars quaked to their bones.
“Sniffle, sniffle, Boo-HOOO!”
echoed, pealed and grew.
Webster spun up to check,
asked, “What the heck?”
Moon blubbered, “I’m ever so blue.
On Halloween, I’m cheated.
I never get tricked or treated.
No costume will fit,
so here I sit
year after year—repeated.”
“Light up the night, and I’ll weave a
costume you won’t believe—a
glittery gown
of spidery down.
Your disguise? A world-famous diva!”
Wonderfully spooky story & love the rhyme, Carol. Happy Halloween!
I love the image of the moon costumed as a diva. Well done!
Lovely spooky Halloween atmosphere and clever costume idea for Moon. So nice of spider to help out! Thanks so much for joining in the Halloweensie fun, Carol!
Spider’s Halloween Hunt
By Kristen Olsen
In the light of the moon
hovered a small spider
watching trick or treaters
from her hot air balloon.
She spun white sticky webs
from gateposts to doorposts
to trap tasty treats like
sour bats and ghost heads.
“I always catch the most,”
small spider liked to sing
as she floated above
sipping cider with toast.
Along came a monsoon.
Cold wind halloweensied.
The balloon lost control
and crashed near a lagoon.
With candy apple eyes
a toad croaked to spider
“It’s my birthday today,
thank you for my surprise.”
Since I commented on your blog I won’t double up here – but great job, Kristen!
Scaredy-Cat-Pat
By: Sara Dean
Pat was scared of spiders,
Ghosts, vampires, and bats.
He was scared of everything,
So people called him ‘Scaredy-Cat-Pat’.
He wanted to prove his bravery,
So on Halloween night,
He went trick-or-treating,
Under the pale moonlight.
At one house a ghost jumped out
And shouted, “Boo!”
Pat shivered but said,
“I’m not scared of you.”
He went to the next house,
And knocked on the door.
When a mummy opened it,
Pat’s mouth hit the floor!
On the mummy’s shoulder was a spider –
Pat’s biggest fear!
He threw his candy and ran,
He would be brave next year.
Love that he tries to be brave, Sara, and that it’s the spider that scares him more than the mummy 🙂 Thanks so much for a fun story and for joining in the Halloweensie madness!
DING DONG
By Elaine D’Alessandro
Charlie charged up and down his moonlit street.
He galloped around ghosts. DING DONG
….Chocolate bars and cherry pops
“Thank you!”
Paraded past pirates. DING DONG
….Taffy apples and jelly beans
“Thank you!”
Weaved between witches. DING DONG
….Licorice sticks and candy corn
“Thank you!”
Then Charlie maneuvered beyond monsters marching up a spidery staircase.
DING DONG….No answer
KNOCK KNOCK….No answer
RING RING
Finally…
“Trick or treat!” the monsters chanted.
“Sorry, children, we ran out.”
Faces frowned.
Shoulders slouched.
Children departed with a scanty pouch.
Charlie chased them.
Charlie scooped.
Charlie shared from his bag of loot.
Oh, my! So many delicious Halloween goodies! Nice of Charlie to share in the end! Thanks so much for joining in the Halloweensie fun, Elaine!
Hi Elaine…so very happy you joined in Susanna’s Halloweensie fun! I love your story…and Charlie rocks! How generous to share his goodies. 😉
Ghost Saves Halloween by Jessica Dunnagan
“Ghost,” Spider says. “It’s Halloween,
And there’s no moon tonight.
How will we see to trick or treat?”
Ghost gets his flashlight.
He turns it on. Click. Nothing.
Ghost lights a candle,
And they go outside.
Whoosh!
The wind blows out the candle.
The forest is dark.
We can’t see the path!” Spider says.
We need some help,” says Ghost.
“Wait here, Spider.”
Ghost drifts into the woods.
He watches and waits.
Suddenly he sees them.
He asks for help.
Spider and Ghost
Trick or treat
Through the forest,
Following a twinkling river
Of fireflies.
Wonderful little story! Great job!
Nice story – character, problem, complete story arc and beautiful unexpected ending including the required words and all under 100 – nicely done, Jessica! Thanks so much for joining in the Halloweensie fun!
Spiderella
By: Sam Altmann
“Welcome to Howard’s Spooktacular Fright Show.”
The crowd rolled their eyes. They only came for king size candy bars.
But Spider came for Halloween magic.
“Remember when he tried to convince us he raised a ghost from the graveyard?”
“…and the sheet fell off his sister.”
Spider wanted to bite them.
Trick after trick, the crowd groaned.
But Spider shrieked with delight.
“For my spooktacular finale, you will all be transformed.”
“Fool,” muttered a guest.
“Moonlight, starbright..”
POP!
“Nothing! What a phony!”
Spider ran her new fingers through the perfect ponytail that sat on her new head. “Is that so?”
Ooh! Spooky ending, Sam! 🙂 I was going to say we all can benefit from a little Halloween magic… but not I’m not so sure 🙂 Thanks so much for joining in the Halloweensie fun!
ENTRY POSTED FOR KATE
After Trick or Treat – Kate Higgins
I cannot sleep.
The lights went out when the thunder came.
It’s not the same bedroom in the dark.
…but I’m not afraid.
I forgot to close my closet door.
Eyes beside my backpack blink.
Something groaned or was it me?
Do trolls like stinky feet?
A ghostly bump sits on my bed.
…but I’m not afraid.
My under-bed-monster has a new address; I don’t know where.
I wonder if he still eats toes?
Spiders, extra large, scratch at the moonlit windowpane.
…but I’m not afraid!
I keep my friendly flashlight handy!
It’s not the same bedroom in the light.
Ooh! Nice and spooky, Kate! And don’t we all imagine things in the dark? 🙂 I’m glad your little MC has a flashlight 🙂 Although I confess – with the mention of blinking eyes and the under-bed monster, I was expecting a cat! Thanks so much for joining in the Halloweensie fun!
Halloween night was dark and cold. There stood a witch, a poodle, and a chocolate chip cookie like none ever seen before. We huddled close together afraid to set past the end of the driveway. The wind whipped our cheeks. “I want to go home!” whispered little Sam, the adorable cookie. “No!” I cried. Sam shook with fear. “Onward!” I ordered.
As we stepped bravely past the end of the driveway, we froze in our tracks. Rising above the tree line, arms waving like an octopus reaching to grab all who came too close, was the Spider Ghost Moon!
“Run!!!!”
Oh my goodness! Not the Spider Ghost Moon! (That sounds like one of the Native American moon names – like Peach Blossom Moon 🙂 ) No wonder the witch, the poodle and the chocolate chip coolie were shaking in their shoes! 🙂 Thanks so much for a fun entry and for joining in the Halloweensie craziness, Heather 🙂
ENTRY POSTED FOR MERRIWEATHER
By Merriweather Kane
‘DARE’
“Knock again,” Kate coaxed.
Lani’s hand quivered, “Why did we have to choose dare instead of truth?
Don’t trick-or-treaters go missing here every Halloween?”
“Nah, that’s a rumor,” Kate said.
When Lani knocked Kate wailed, “Spider!”
A spider crawled across Lani’s hand. “Ahhhhh!”
A decrepit hand opened the door.
Lani and Kate tried to run, but couldn’t move or scream.
Last years trick-or-treaters pulled Kate and Lani in then ran away. The door slammed.
“Foolish children choose dare,” the ghost witch cackled.
The moon glowed through the boarded window cracks. Kate stood beside Lani…paralyzed.
Oh my goodness! Very spooky, Merriweather! Poor Kate and Lani – learning the hard way! Thanks so much for joining in the Halloweensie fun!
ENTRY POSTED FOR NANCY
STICKY CANDY BAG
by
Nancy Dort Rossow
The moon’s light cast ghostly shadows. A murder of crows perched above. “Boo hoo,” cried Spider. “I want to go trick or treating, but I’m too small to carry a bag.”
“I’ll share my candy with you,” said Sue.
“I want to do it myself,” said Spider, stomping his feet.
“Okay, then get your web builder and follow me.” Sue and Spider ran here and there, in and out, and over the top. “Now what have you got?”
Spider was thrilled. “A handy, dandy Halloween candy-carrying, sticky spider-web bag.”
“That did the trick; now let’s get some treats!”
Such a cute, clever story, Nancy! So believable that Spider wants to “do it himself”! Love the solution! and the line “A handy, dandy Halloween candy-carrying, sticky spider-web bag.”! Thanks so much for joining in the Halloweensie fun!
You have all of the elements for a funtastic story Nancy. Loved it!
ENTRY POSTED FOR STEFANIE
Moon’s Halloween Surprise
By S. Tatalias
In the middle of the night, Spider and Ghost prepared for Halloween.
Moon dropped down to join them.
“I’m going to make the biggest web ever,” Spider said.
“I’ll make the scariest sounds ever,” bragged Ghost.
Moon stayed silent. What could she do except hang in the sky?
The next day, while the children got ready,
Spider weaved.
Ghost practiced.
The sun went down, shadows lengthened, and Moon got an idea.
Halloween night,
Spider’s web was amazing.
Ghost’s sounds frightened.
But when Moon slid behind earth’s shadow,
Turning the night dark,
Everyone agreed, it was the best Halloween surprise ever.
Great job, Stefanie! Love Moon’s worry about coming up with something special, and love that each creature does something perfect for them! Thanks so much for a sweet, fun, story and for joining in the Halloweensie craziness! 🙂
I love how you used all three words as characters to create a faboolous Halloween story. Well done Stephanie!
ENTRY POSTED FOR TONYA
A Halloween Story – Tonya Lippert
A long time ago, a ghost and spider were born on Halloween.
One loved treats.
One loved tricks.
Even more, they loved being together.
One full-moon birthday, Spider said, “Tricks.”
Ghost, “Treats.”
Until they said to their friends, “Pick!”
“Trick or treat?”
The friends agreed to pick if they could hide who was picking.
When someone said, “Trick,” Ghost faded.
When someone said, “Treat,” Spider shivered.
Spider and Ghost decided to give tricks and treats together as surprises.
Friends just had to say “trick or treat,” keeping disguises.
“Trick or treat” we still say today,
its beginning long forgotten.
Ooh, what a clever and fun origin story, Tonya! I don’t think anyone else did one – great idea! Thanks so much for joining in the Halloweensie fun!
ENTRY POSTED FOR ELLEN
Pup’s First Halloween – Ellen Comar
I couldn’t wait for Halloween,
to take my pooch for trick or treat.
Her costume was a princess dress.
I was a ghost. I wore a sheet.
She gaily led the moonlit way
up to each door, then stopped to wait.
I rang the bell – EEK – LOOK! A spider
swinging from the garden gate!
We raced for home. I took my bath.
My pup had on a guilty face.
Telltale wrappers by the table.
Candy – GONE without a trace!
Oh my goodness! Naughty pup! 🙂 Can’t take your eyes off them for a minute, not even to take a bath 🙂 Thanks so much for joining in the Halloweensie fun, Ellen!
Reblogged this on Denver Reading Block and commented:
Here are all of the stories submitted for the 6th Annual Halloweensie contest.
One Good Trick Deserves Another – by Marc Tambor
Fox padded up to his squirrely neighbor, Chipmunk, looking for a treat.
“Nuts?”
Time for a trick.
“You know,” Fox began, “on moonless Halloween nights, Ghost Owl swoops through these trees, plucking its prey.”
“It does?” Chipmunk squeaked, shooting its eyes to the sky. “Phew. A moonful night.”
Until clouds hid the moon from sight.
“Oh no!” Chipmunk gasped and scurried back into an unseen trap. “Aggh! Ghost Owl!”
But when the cloud passed and moonlight shone down, they saw…
“It’s a spiderweb,” cackled Fox.
“Spider?! Yeesh!” screeched Ghost Owl.
“Ghost Owl?!” howled Fox, dropping his treats. “Aw, nuts!”
Happy Halloween! (that’s not part of the story- please don’t count that in the 100 words)
Hahaha! Fox outfoxed! 🙂 Clever and fun… and sneaky! 🙂 Thanks so much for joining in the Halloweensie madness, Marc!
Wow!!! What a great response to your contest Susanna!!! So many great stories to choose from. Good luck. 🙂
I KNOW! Let the reading and judging begin! 🙂
ENTRY POSTED FOR SHELLEY
Four Finicky Ghosties
By Shelley Kinder
One ghost, two ghosts, three ghosts, four…
Trick-or-treating at my door.
I give them sweets, but they won’t go.
I toss them spider rings that glow.
I offer moon pies, fruits, and breads.
They roll their eyes. They shake their heads.
I bring them fries. With ketchup too.
They take a sniff, and one says, “EW.”
I see his breath. Oh my, it’s chilly!
“Come inside. I mean it. Really.”
We sip hot chocolate from our mugs.
We joke. We laugh. We give bear hugs.
Now they’re off to have some fun.
Four ghosts, three ghosts, two ghosts, one…
Nice job, Shelley! Love the counting up and down worked into the clever story! Great rhyme and meter! Nice that the ghosts were invited in to warm up and that was just what everyone needed! Thanks so much for joining in the Halloweensie fun!
Thanks so much, Susanna. I just love your contests. I almost didn’t enter…just had so much going on, but I’m glad I did 🙂
Shelley…this is great! I love it as a counting story for little ones…and your rhyme is read aloud fun!
What a great memory you have! This year’s Halloweensie story is all mine, a spin-off from my first-grader’s favorite page in Arthur’s Halloween by Marc Brown. I just found my blog post describing our previous “win”- http://makesharegive.blogspot.com/2014/11/sooo-thankful.html
Still makes me smile. Happy Fall!
Susanne .
I loved having your whole class participate, Susanne! That was my favorite thing ever! 🙂