Good Monday Morning, Everyone!
I know it’s Memorial Day and many of you are busy with family celebrations, parades, and honoring those who have done so much for all of us.
But in case you also have the day off and a little free time. . .
. . .let’s have some Mix ‘n’ Match fun because it’s time for Week #4!
Mix ‘n’ Match Mini is a 7 week writing challenge for anyone who needs a little boost, a little inspiration, or a little encouragement to get writing. . . or maybe just a little fun!
You get to write your own story, enjoy and be entertained by everyone else’s stories, and get yourself in the running for some awesome prizes (please see the end of the blog post for a list of all the prize goodies which continues to grow!)
To be eligible for the prize drawing you must enter all 7 weeks.
For a full description of the challenge, to read the Week #1 entries, or to add your Week #1 entry, please go HERE (Week #1)
To read the Week #2 entries or add your Week #2 entry, please go HERE (Week #2)
To read the Week #3 entries or add your Week #3 entry, please go HERE (Week #3)
Mix ‘n’ Match Mini Writing Prompt #4 for Week of May 31:
So far we’ve played with character needs/goals, writing a cumulative story, and a picture prompt with random words and a secret! This week we’re going to have some musical fun with themes! 😊
Choose a song from Column A, a theme from Column B, and an important item from Column C (optional.) Write a 100 word story for kids where your version of the song tells a story that shows your chosen theme (including your important item if you wish!) You may use the original song opening if you like, but you are not required to (just make it obvious in your writing and/or identify which song you’re using along with your title and word count), and if rhyming isn’t your thing you can write in prose as long as it’s still clear which song you’re working with. You may add or subtract characters (e.g. Bob and Joe rowed their boat gently down the stream), change the destination (e.g. Row, row, row your boat up the mountainside), change the type of action (e.g. Row, row, row your boat wildly down the stream) etc… Anything you like! Have fun with it! (For examples in kidlit, see Iza Trapani’s extended nursery rhyme songs.)
| Column A – Song | Column B – Theme | Column C – Important Item (optional) |
| Row, Row, Row Your Boat | It’s important to try new things | Necklace |
| The Itsy Bitsy (Eensie Weensie) Spider | Even when you’re bad, you’re still loved | Teddy bear |
| Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star | It’s important to stay true to yourself | Blackberries |
| Where, Oh Where Has My Little Dog Gone? | Just because it looks good doesn’t mean it is | Pink Blankie |
| The Bear Went Over The Mountain | If you work together you can solve a problem | Story book |
| Here We Go Round The Mulberry Bush | You don’t have to be big to stand up for yourself | Map |
| It’s Raining, It’s Pouring | Friends should always stick together | Tractor |
| Jack And Jill | Believe in yourself and you can achieve your dreams | Moon |
| Rock-A-Bye Baby | If you don’t succeed the first time, try again | Daisy |
Post your story in the comment section below! (If for some reason you have trouble posting, you may use the contact form to email your entry to me and I’ll post it for you.)
- Stories can rhyme or not – totally up to you!
- You can go under or over 100 words if you want to – also totally up to you! – 100 is a guideline
- If you’re deeply inspired by a theme that isn’t included you’re welcome to use it, just please say what it is at the top of your entry – the purpose here is inspiration and to get you writing!
- For simplicity’s sake (and to aid skimming readers who might be interested in a particular thing) please say which song, theme (and important item if you choose to use one) you’re using at the top of your entry along with your name, word count, and title if you have one.
I am SO looking forward to seeing what you guys come up with! You continue to knock my socks off with your creativity every week!!!
Now come join the fun! Get some writing done! Encourage your kids (or students) to give it a try! Or just have a good time together reading what other folks have written!
Ready, set, WRITE! 😊
(And remember, for full details on the 7 week challenge you can check HERE)
Check out the Week #4 stories!
It’s Raining! It’s Pouring! – Leslie Degnan
Dreams Inside! – Robin Currie
Jack And Jill’s New Adventure – Jen Subra
Untitled – Lauri Meyers
Charlie’s Search – Rose Cappelli
Rock A Bye Daisy – Laura Bower
Arachnid At Your Service – Jill Lambert
The Itsy Bitsy Spider And The Moon – Erika Romero
About Our Friends Who Tried To Row A Boat (Perhaps Under A Full Moon?) – Erin Cleary
Untitled – Lauren Scott
Believe In All You Imagine – Sally Yorke-Viney
The Itsy Bitsy Puppy – Marty Findley
All That Glitters Is Not Gold – Elizabeth Meyer zu Heringdorf
Spunky Little Teddy – Joyce Uglow
Flap Flap Flap Those Wings – Marty Bellis
Dress Dress Dress For Rain – Amy Leskowski
Mark And Grace – Colleen Murphy
I Love Shopping With My Mom – Sara Kruger
Oh Where, Oh Where Has My Pet Spider Gone – Aly Kenna
Where, Oh Where Has My Story Book Gone – Ashley Sierra
Ninja, Ninja, Little Sneak – Bevin Rolfs Spencer
Jack And Jill Revisit Their Hill – Ashley B. Pedigo
Jo And Flo – Christine Alemshah
Little Lilly’s Blunder – Elenore Byrne
Ride, Ride, Ride My Bike – Sue Lancaster
Friends For Life – Deb Sullivan
Fireflies – Lyn Jekowsky
The Rescue – Marta Cutler
Bear’s Fresh Start – Allison Strick
Rock A Bye Zombie – Susan Summers
Rainy Day Problem…Solvers – Susan Schipper
To Grandmother’s House We Go – Jeannette Suhr
It’s Raining, It’s Pouring – Dianne Irving
Tinkle, Tinkle, Potty Stress! – Michelle S. Kennedy
Where, Oh Where Has My Little Dog Gone? – Isabel Cruz Rodriguez
Use Your Map – Padgy Soltis
The Daisy – Barbara Renner
Oopsy Daisy! – Marta Cutler
Yummy, Yummy, Little Pie – Nicole Loos Miller
The Bat Flew Over The Pumpkins – Sarah Meade
Read A Book – Dawn Young
Sun And Moon – Dawn Young
The Itsy Bitsy Scratchy Spider – Bru Benson
Wait For Me – Candace Kubinec
Untitled – Sarah Marhevsky
It’s Raining, It’s Pouring – Sarah Hawklyn
Don’t Row The Boat Please – Linda Schueler
How Much Is That Bicycle In The Window – Mia Geiger
The Itsy Bitsy Tadpoles– Hannah Roy LaGrone
Rock Star Baby Brother – Katie Schwartz
Albert Went Over The Mountain – Deb Buschman
The Itsy Bitsy Spider Is Bored – Brenna Jeanneret
The Just Right Story Book – JC Kelly
PRIZES & PRIZES OF ALL SHAPES AND SIZES!
When it comes time for prizes, names of all those who complete the challenge will be drawn randomly and matched with prizes drawn randomly until we run out! 😊
Please join me 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 gift purchases, rating and/or reviewing their books on GoodReads, Amazone, B&N, or anywhere else if you like them, suggesting them for school visits, and supporting them in any other way you can dream up! 😊
⭐️ Picture Book Critique from Penny Parker Klostermann, the lovely and talented author of THERE WAS AN OLD DRAGON WHO SWALLOWED A KNIGHT (Random House 2015) and A COOKED-UP FAIRY TALE (Random House 2017)
⭐️ 30 Minute Q&A with Penny Klostermann
⭐️ Picture Book MS Critique OR Query Letter Critique (Winner’s Choice) from Jennifer Buchet, debut author of LITTLE MEDUSA’S HAIR DO-LEMMA (Clear Fork/Spork May 11, 2021)
⭐️ Picture Book MS Critique from Jen Raudenbush, agented writer of picture books, middle grade, and poetry. (Represented by Natascha Morris of The Tobias Literary Agency)
⭐️ 30 minute Zoom chat about anything industry related (manuscript, query letter, best practices for querying) with Becky Scharnhorst, amazing author of MY SCHOOL STINKS (Philomel Books, July 6, 2021)
⭐️Picture Book Manuscript Critique with Audio Recording by author and poet Sarah Meade Sarah will do a written critique of your manuscript and include an audio recording of her first read-through of the manuscript. The audio recording is to help the author hear how the story flows and/or where a new reader may stumble when reading aloud.
⭐️ Webinar: How To Write Powerful First Pages Like A Pro by author and editor Alayne Kay Christian
⭐️ A copy of Mary Kole’s Writing Irresistible Kidlit: The Ultimate Guide to Crafting Fiction for Young Adult and Middle Grade Writers, donated by Nicole Loos Miller
⭐️ A personalized signed copy of SASSAFRAS AND HER TEENY TINY TAIL (MacLaren-Cochrane Publishing 2021) by Candice Marley Conner
⭐️ Making Picture Book Magic Self Study Class (any month)
⭐️A copy of A FLOOD OF KINDNESS by Ellen Leventhal
⭐️A copy of MAKING THEIR VOICES HEARD: The Inspiring Friendship of Ella Fitzgerald and Marilyn Monroe by Vivian Kirkfield
⭐️A copy of THERE WAS AN OLD DRAGON WHO SWALLOWED A KNIGHT by Penny Parker Klostermann
⭐️A copy of SLOTH AND SQUIRREL IN A PICKLE by Cathy Ballou Mealey
⭐️A copy of BINDU’S BINDIS by Supriya Kelkar
⭐️ Magnetic Poetry – Little Box of Happiness
Susanna Leonard Hill 
IT’S RAINING! IT’S POURING! (WC: 112) Leslie Degnan
(It’s raining, It’s pouring, friends should stick together, teddy bear)
It’s raining, its pouring,
This camping trip is boring!
I had a fight with my best friend,
Who’s fast asleep and snoring!
The rain doused our campfire,
Our counselor’s a big liar,
She promised we’d hike to the top,
It said so in the flier!
I’m not good at sleeping,
I hear things outside creeping,
I really miss my teddy bear.
Those frogs won’t stop their peeping!
I can’t find my flashlight,
Dark shadows in moonlight,
A claw is clutching my left arm,
A voice said, “Are you alright?”
My best friend’s awake too,
“I thought maybe I heard you,
Say you missed your teddy bear.
You want to hug my Teddy-boo?”
Love this! Great job with the rhyming!
So sweet. Love your rhyming.
Well done, Leslie! I’m impressed! I laughed out loud at “it said so in the flier” 😊 Great job showing friends should stick together!
This is so sweet Leslie! Love the friendship and that she was willing to share her Teddy-boo!
Rain, things creeping in the night and a good friend with a teddy boo! What a great rhyming story!
This is great from start to finish! Everyone can relate to things not going as expected. Nice job!
Les, this is so fun!
Leslie, Your first stanza is a great hook. Had to read the rest and find out what happens on the boring camping trip.
I love this. A great ode to the perils of camping. 🙂
This is so much fun!!! And what a cute ending!!! I want a “teddy-boo!” too! LOL
Your story brought back memories of Girl Scout camp for me. I love the way you wove all the tribulations of camp life into the song structure. Well done, Leslie!
Leslies, love this! Rhyming is great! Everyone needs a “Teddy-boo”! 🙂
Aww. And great opening lines…so relatable!
Many thanks to all of you for your positive and encouraging words. I had lots of fun with this one!
Dreams Inside! (WC 78 words) Robin Currie
Mulberry Bush, Follow your dreams, Storybook)
Open up a story book, story book, story book,
Open up a story book and slip into a dream!
You can build a faster bike, race a car, mush a sled.
Open up a story book and pet a dinosaur!
You can visit India, go to Mars, hula dance.
Open up a story book and meet another friend
Have a big adventure now even if you’re “too small.”
Open up a story book and slip into a dream!
So many adventures and dreams come true awaiting in a story book. Nice job!
I love the visual of opening up a story book and slipping into a dream….so true!
Fantastic, Robin! You used the song, told a story, made good use of the important item, showed the theme and did it all in 78 words! Chocolate cake for you! 😊
Nice job Robin! I loved singing this one out loud! Slipping into a dream is a fabulous ending!
Love the imagery here! I see a reader doing this! Well written and I love the title.
Lovely tribute to all that books are about. Very nice!
Wow! Well done , Robin! 🙂
Jack and Jill’s New Adventure. (94 words)
Jack & Jill, It’s important to try new things, map
Jack and Jill went up the hill,
but when they reached the top,
Jill said, “Let’s keep going!”
But Jack said, “Better stop.”
“We haven’t got a map, dear Jill.
We don’t know where we’re going.”
“Oh Jack, let’s be adventurers!
There’s such fun in not knowing!”
“Let’s have a new experience.
Explore this shady trail.
To do a thing we’ve never done
means surely we can’t fail!”
“I guess you’re right,” Jack said to Jill,
to try new things is fun.
But from our last hike up the hill
we probably shouldn’t run.”
Love that Jill is the adventurer and risk taker! Nice job!
Hah! Love Jill’s spirit…and great ending 🙂
Great job, Jen! Great use of the song, the theme, the important item, and a laugh-out-loud ending! 😊
Loved this Jen! Great rhymes and you have great lines in such a short piece – I love “There’s such fun in not knowing” and “from our last hike up the hill we probably shouldn’t run!” Very clever!
Love the ending with Jack’s cautionary reminder! Go Jill be adventurous!
Glad Jill convinced Jack to take a risk! Loved the twist at the end.
This is so fun! Nice job!
This is FABULOUS!!!
You combined the joy of getting off the beaten path with a cautionary tale at the end. Terrific, Jen!
Great job! Love JIll ‘s sense of adventure! 🙂
This post is producing lots of fun ideas! Here is one:
Lauri Meyers
Row, row
Trying new things / imagination
Row row row your tub
Gently down the hall
Steadily steadily steadily steadily
Watch out for the wall
Row row row your tub
Swiftly down the stairs
Bumpity bumpity bumpity bumpity
Flying through the air
Row row row your tub
Dashing out the door
Happily happily happily happily
Heading for the shore !
I love it, Lauri! What a great idea! I can picture this turning into a picture book 😊 I love the images of one (or more) kids rowing their bathtub out into the world! 😊
I can just picture them bumping down the stairs! Fun!
This is adorable Lauri! I think kids would get a kick out of this. And love that it ends up at the shore!!
I can totally see my boys doing (well, trying to do) this!! Such a fun idea!
Your story really sings! Great visuals and rhythmic writing!
Very creative! How fun to have a tub become a boat!
Lauri, So cute. Just the sort of silliness kids love. 🙂
Can you imagine?? Such fun!
Loved how easily it is to visualize your story! 🙂 PB????
Charlie’s Search (116 Words)
(The Bear Went Over the Mountain, If you don’t succeed try again, berries)
Charlie went over the mountain,
Charlie went over the mountain,
Charlie went over the mountain,
Searching for a friend.
He found a meadow of insects,
He found a river with fish.
He picked a bucket of berries,
But he didn’t find a friend.
He tried again the next day,
And then the day after that.
He found insects, fish and berries,
But he didn’t find a friend.
Then one fine day he saw him –
A boy with a butterfly net
Who carried a pole for fishing
And a bucket on his back.
They spent the day together
And then the day after that.
Charlie was happy he never gave up,
‘Cause now he had a friend.
Hurray! Good for Charlie being perseverant and hanging onto his determination to find a friend. It was worth it in the end! For some reason I was picturing Charlie as a bear and thinking a boy who liked to fish would be the perfect friend 😊 Great job, Rose!
Yeah for Charlie! I love that he persisted and found a friend!
Always keep searching and you will find your friend! Nicely done!!
Aww! So glad Charlie found a friend. Sound like they will have lots of fun together.
So sweet and heart-warming, Rose! An illustrator would love to work on it!
This is delightful!
Nice one Rose. A good friend is so worth a good search!
Yay! I was rooting for Charlie…great to see his efforts paid off.
Rock a Bye Daisy
By Laura Bower
205 words
(Rock a Bye Baby, Daisy, You don’t have to be big to stand up for yourself/others, If you work together you can solve a problem)
Rock a bye daisy
on the hilltop,
when the wind blows
the garden will rock.
When the day ends,
the sunlight will fall
and flowers will sleep tight –
daisy and all.
Rock a bye daisy
gently you bloom,
until the dump trucks
Come with a BOOM!
Knocking down tree trunks,
digging up beds
of flowers all colors –
purples to reds.
From the close houses
down by the sea,
comes little Rose
and friends – 1, 2, 3.
“Watch what your doing
on the hilltop!”
The trucks kept on truckin’ –
Rose shouted “stop!”
“You’re hurting the flowers,
the plants, and the trees!
Can you build somewhere else?
Come on? Pretty please?”
The workers all chuckled,
“You’re just little girls.
You should be playing
with dollies and pearls.”
Rose and her buddies
linked arms (in a chain)
and made a pact
that they would remain.
The workers grew tired –
thrown way off track.
They promised the girls
they wouldn’t come back.
“Woo-hoo we did it!” –
trucks drove away.
The girls starting planting
that very day.
Up came the flowers,
the plants and the trees
Roses and daisies –
such a sweet breeze.
Rock a bye daisy
on the hilltop –
saved by smart girls
Who dared to say “stop!”
So glad the girls saved the flowers, plants, and trees! Very clever.
Thanks so much Rose!
Loved the girls saving the day (and the daisies!)! Well done!
Thank you!!
Fantastic, Laura! You got the song, two themes, the word AND you managed to tell a whole story about environmentally passionate and responsible girls saving their local green space! Nice!
Thank you such much Susanna! It was so much fun to work on a song this week!
I’m glad you had fun! 😊
Awesome earth friendly story Laura. I love it when little girls stand up for themselves, and sometimes for the planet!
Thanks so much Leslie! Girl Power!
You packed a lot in this one! Great job!
Arachnid at your Service
By Jill Lambert WC:99
Options: Eensy Weensy Spider / It’s important to stay true to yourself / map
I’m a teensy spider creeping ‘round your house.
Your screaming implies I’m as scary as a mouse.
A spider’s essential in catching household pests.
Perhaps you will discover, I am the best of guests.
My web’s a road map, stretching north and south.
Each pesky fly’s directed to my mouth.
I snag mosquitoes and roaches in it, too.
Arachnid at your service, I’ll banish them for you.
Ah! It appears my form’s what you despise.
I am what I am—these fangs just tranquilize.
Are you convinced my mission’s to assist?
I’m your hairy helper! Now can’t we coexist?
Thank you, spiders!
Thank you for reading and commenting, Rose!
Great poetry here and we learn the importance of spiders in our lives! Love this Jill!
I appreciate your kind comments, Sally!
Delightful, Jill! Entertaining and educational! (And just so you know, I coexist with all the spiders in my house because I appreciate them doing their job 😊)
You made my day, Susanna! Thank you for reading and commenting…and for all you do to inspire all of us!
😊😊😊
Creepy and educational in under 100 words!? Great job, Jill!
Good…I was going for the creep factor! Thank you, Deborah!
Ha ha! Good to be informed, but I am not sure this will help me like them any more!! Good job Jill!
I get it, Colleen! They aren’t my favorite creatures but I appreciate the work they do. Thank you for reading and commenting!
Wow, I love this. And could you hear me singing along…? 🙂
Thanks so much, Susan..I think singing is required with this prompt!
I love this one so much, Jill!!! Your whimsy in this one is STELLAR! Great rhymes- “My web’s a road map, stretching north and south. Each pesky fly’s directed to my mouth.” and “despise/tranquilize” AWESOME!!!
Thank you, Michelle for cheering me on. It was fun writing to the tune!
Jill, this is so very well done! From title to the tag line! A+! 🙂
Thanks so much for reading and commenting!
I really enjoyed reading this. It’s light and fun but a little bit creepy. Educational without being preachy. And under word limit! Impressed.
Thank you, Elenore. I’m glad you enjoyed it!
What a great title! Great voice throughout and educational. I could see this as a character-driven book. The confidence this spider has 😊. I see a Halloween layer could be included as well. Well done, Jill! So impressive.
Hmmm…now you’ve got me thinking! Thanks so much for your support, Ashley!
Love this!
Thank you, Sarah!
I love this hearty defense of the tiny arachnid who only wants to eat bugs and NOT bother us at all! Coexistence is surely the answer.
Thanks for taking the time to read and comment, Leslie!
Hmm, maybe I can tolerate spiders! Teensy is okay . . . usually, unless they have the telltale hourglass, move quickly, look at me funny!
Your story has made me think, good job!
The Itsy Bitsy Spider and the Moon
By Erika Romero
The itsy bitsy spider was not happy about all this rain.
“How am I ever going to reach the top of the water spout at this rate?”
She looked at the bright yellow spout from her hiding spot underneath a fallen coconut. She thought back to the multiple attempts she had already made.
“Day one, a sudden sun shower. Day two, a hailstorm. And now, day three, an hour long rain experience, just after I finished breakfast.”
Spider was not happy with this week’s luck, but she wasn’t giving up her goal of the week.
“The full moon is happening tomorrow and I will not miss looking at it from the best view in the yard.”
With a look at the many puddles between her and the water spout, Spider made a plan.
And when the sun came out just as she crawled pass the last puddle standing in her way, Spider smiled and laughed.
“I guess third time is the charm!”
Hurray for Spider, continuing to try even in the face of adversity (and a lot of water! 😊) Just proves that if you keep trying you can succeed! Nice job, Erika!
About Our Friends Who Tried to Row a Boat (Perhaps under a Full Moon?)
By Erin Cleary, 92 words
[The Itsy Bitsy Spider (with a nod to Row, Row, Row Your Boat and Jack and Jill); try new things, try again; moon?]
When Jack and Jill went sailing aboard a little boat,
it was so small that when they tried, they couldn’t make it float.
They bailed and bailed the water, ‘til Jack slipped and fell down
And then Jill jumped in to save him so that he wouldn’t drown.
They climbed back up aboard the boat to have another try
They gently rowed the vessel, but they could not stay dry.
“It seems that every time we try, someone takes a spill,
So the next time we adventure, we’ll stick to climbing hills.”
Love the mash up of Itsy Bitsy Spider, Row Row Row your boat and Jack and Jill! Love the ending!
Hahaha! You had me at the title, Erin! 😊 Very cleverly done! What a mash up! (And nice of Jill to save her brother – not every sibling would 😊)
I love this!! So cute, and the mashup of the three different stories is so clever!
Great title and the “mash up” makes this a great read!! 🙂
This was a fun read. So clever how you weaved all those tales into 8 lines – with a cute ending to boot!
What an accomplished little story in less than 100 words. And fun to read too.
Week 4
Row, row, row your boat
If you don’t succeed the first time, try again.
Try, try, try, your best
even when its hard
You can always have some help
To finish the last yard
Try, try, try, your best
Even when you’re slow
As long as you don’t give up
You’ll be having a go
Try, try, try your best
Even when you fail
Jump right back on the horse
And set your course to sail
This is a great poem to encourage children to persist no matter what!
Very encouraging, Lauren! And excellent version of Row Row to sing whenever anyone is having a tough day!
Believe In All You Imagine by Sally Yorke-Viney
( Based on: The Bear Went Over the Mountain/ What you can achieve if you only believe/moon)
Believe in sunshine and moonlight.
Believe that you always do right.
Believe in all you imagine,
To be what you can be!
(chorus)
To be what you can be,
To be what you can be,
Believe in all you imagine!
Use creativity!
Believe and you’ll be a maker
A mover and then a shaker
Believe in making it happen
You’re possibility!
(chorus)
You’re possibility!
You’re possibility!
Believe in making it happen!
Bring life to what you see.
Believe and you’ll see your dreams weave,
A life that only you can achieve!
Believe in making it happen!
To be what you can be!
(chorus)
To be what you can be,
Use creativity!
Believe in all you imagine!
You’re possibility!
What a lovely, inspirational version of The Bear Went Over The Mountain, Sally! It would certainly encourage kids to follow their dreams!
Great job converting this old “beary good” song into an anthem of positivity, Sally! I love it!
I enjoyed singing this sweet and affirming song-poem.
The Itsy Bitsy Puppy By Marty Findley (WC 163)
Song: The Itsy Bitsy Spider. Theme: Even when you’re bad, you’re still loved! Item: Shoes
The Itsy Bitsy Puppy
The itsy bitsy puppy barked the whole night through;
He kept us all awake; oh no, what shall we do?
The next day when we all were stumbling out of bed
The itsy bitsy puppy lay down to rest his head.
The itsy bitsy puppy chewed up my favorite shoes;
He left a little present on top of Daddy’s news.
He ran through all the puddles and when the deed was done
He scampered through the kitchen and spread his muddy fun.
The itsy bitsy puppy is naughty as can be;
He ate my slice of pizza right out from under me!
He chewed up all my homework and when we came inside
The itsy bitsy puppy ran away to hide.
Oh the itsy bitsy puppy is playful and he’s smug;
Even though he’s waggish he’s cuter than a bug
And when he runs to meet you it’s so much fun to hug
That cuddly wiggly puppy that gives your heart a tug!
Marty, Great rhymes and funny lines. So typical, too, of little puppies and their antics. Really enjoyed reading this. Well done!
Awww! So many true statements about those cute, cuddly and pesky puppies! Well done!
Adorable story, Marty. Great job rhyming with real examples of puppy life!
Marty, you really nailed it with your spin on the its bits spider! You described the ordeals of puppyhood perfectly!
Wow…you brought back so many memoires of our dog’s “puppy” days! Well done! 🙂
Aaawww…so cute. How can you get mad at that puppy?! Even when he left a present on top of Daddy’s news? LOL!
This is such fun! And so true to real life with a new puppy!!!
All That Glitters Is Not Gold
Elizabeth Meyer zu Heringdorf
WC: 113
Song: Twinkle, twinkle, little star
Theme: Just because something looks good doesn’t mean it is
Twinkle twinkle little star,
Above the hills and shining,
I craved that star from here afar
For days I had been pining!
I built a ladder to the sky
To reach the twinkly wonder,
I worked through snow and sleet on high
And terrifying thunder!
I could not really well profess
The reason for my need
Perhaps it was the shininess
Or fire that sparked my greed.
But as I reached the final stair,
Prepared to grab my prize,
I saw then what was really there
Reflected in the skies.
There was no star up there to claim
‘Twas simple by design
‘Twas then I witnessed, to my shame:
A flashing neon sign.
Well done Elizabeth and great finish!
Adorable story, Marty. Great job rhyming with real examples of puppy life!
Hah! Nice twist in the end, Elizabeth! (and my apologies for posting a comment to another story above…)
Spunky Little Teddy by Joyce Uglow
(The Itsy Bitsy Spider, It’s important to try new things, Teddy Bear)
My sticky, sticky teddy went down the laundry chute.
Down went her socks, and she gave a little hoot.
Out came the soap to fluff my teddy clean.
She’s the fuzziest teddy the world’s ever seen.
My fuzzy, wuzzy teddy went down the muddy path.
Off went her boots; no thoughts about her bath.
In went her toes, and the mud squished out between.
She’s the muddiest teddy the world’s ever seen.
My very, muddy teddy splashed in the murky pond.
Down went her head; her hair’s no longer blond.
Out came the frog, “You are no longer clean!”
You’re the dirtiest teddy the world’s ever seen.
My muddy, little buddy went down the laundry chute.
Down went her socks; and she gave a giant hoot.
Out came the soap to fluff my buddy clean.
She’s the spunkiest teddy the world’s ever seen.
Joyce, What a fun character. Love little teddy bear and her adventures, both clean and muddy. This would make a great PB!
Thank you Marty I am actually going to work on that appreciate it.
Super cute! Teddy is so much like a real kiddo!
Joyce, this is adorable! 🙂
Love your teddy character. You take him on quite a messy journey…just what teddy’s love I hear!
FLAP FLAP FLAP THOSE WINGS by Marty Bellis
(Row Row Row Your Boat, believe in yourself + try try try again, moon)
Flap, flap, flap those wings.
It’s time you learned to fly.
Out of the nest, hop, hop, now jump!
Keep reaching toward the sky.
Glide, then pull, then glide again.
Adjust and feel the air.
Be patient, keep on practicing.
Once more. You’re almost there.
Swoop. Oop. Loop de loop.
Aim to keep it steady.
Lift, bobble, soar and dip.
I think you might be ready.
Dear baby bird, believe in yourself.
You were born to fly.
You have what it takes to do this now.
Just give it one last try.
Flap, flap, now off we go.
Follow me up high.
Pretend you’re reaching for the moon.
Stretch those wings. Let’s FLY!
Love that “keep trying” message and the nice images you create here!
What an encouraging mama bird! Such a sweet story!
Dress, Dress, Dress for Rain
By Amy Leskowski
(Row, Row, Row Your Boat / If you don’t succeed the first time, try again / pink blankie)
85 words
Wear, wear, wear your coat.
It’s windy, cold, and wet.
Button, snap, or zip it up.
Please do not forget!
Wear, wear, wear your boots
so socks and feet stay dry
as you shuttle through those muddy puddles,
letting splashes fly!
Wear, wear, wear your hat,
to warm your ears and head.
Oh, it’s lost and can’t be found?
Your pink blankie could work instead.
There, there, there you go.
You’re dressed to play outside.
You’re missing underclothes? Uh oh!
I’m proud, though, that you tried!
So cute 😆. Kids would laugh at this one. And I’m sure very relatable.
Aww thank you!!
Agree a very cute idea and little kids would enjoy it (better than nagging and reminder lists).
The cheeky ending is super sweet.
Thank you!
Haha! Great twist ending! This is really cute.
Thank you!
Such a cute idea! Kids would certainly relate!! 🙂
Thank you!!
Cute! And definitely relatable. 🙂 I love the first stanza and “Button, snap, or zip it up.”
Thank you!! 🙂
haha! The last stanza cracked me up!!!
So I will try to play catch-up now that the Madness is over and I completed a project on which I was working. Sorry for the abrupt ending, but I had already exceeded the word count!
Mark and Grace
(Based on the rhyme scheme of “Jack and Jill.”)
Mark and Grace
lived in a place
where both the parents faltered.
Because they lacked
the skills, in fact,
the children’s fates were altered.
When Grace was three
she learned to be
like fairies in a fable.
If trouble neared,
she disappeared
as much as she was able.
But when she’d hide
she felt inside
an aching for her brother
who must succumb
to actions from
their father or their mother.
The tried to band
to understand
the cause for their conditions,
but how were youth
to know the truth
of elders’ dispositions?
When Grace turned four,
she said, “No more.”
Her parents never heeded.
So Mark grew bold.
The folks he told
believed and interceded.
Wow, Colleen! You really captured the heartache of these siblings within the Jack and Jill structure. Not happy, but hopeful at the end, and a necessary story, well told.
Thanks Jill.
Hi again Colleen! You sure have been busy. I’ve really enjoyed all the amazing work coming out of the madness. Mark and Grace are a far cry from Jack and Jill. I love your intro, sets the scene so clearly in so few words, and Grace, disappearing like the fairies is fantastic.
Well hello Elenore! Yes, the tone of Jack and Jill is a tad different. There is a story I will tell someday similar to the theme of Mark and Grace. Mark was my youngest brother, and a half-brother. So this came out when I saw the options.
I hope you are well!!
Nice job, Colleen!!!
Thanks Michelle!
It should say, “They tried to band”
I LOVE SHOPPING WITH MY MOM
By Sara Kruger
Twinkle Twinkle Little Star/Just because it looks good doesn’t mean it is/blackberries
I love shopping with my mom
Especially when summer’s on
That’s when fruit is super sweet
We want nothing else to eat.
We buy berries for our jam,
Straw, and black and all we can.
Buy your fruit at other times
You might get a big surprise
Though it looks so ripe and good
If it’s traveled far it could
Have no flavor or taste bad.
You want to avoid all that.
And be careful where you shop.
Grocery stores can be a flop.
Pick your own–that’s always best.
Farmer’s markets pass the test.
Then enjoy what you have found.
Share the love and pass around.
Fun!! Haha, I sang it, but I am NOT sending you a recording of me singing 😉 I laughed a lot too.
LOL oh come on, please?
This is fun to read out loud. Love the humor!
Yay! I win haha
A perfect summertime read! 😀
Ahh thanks!
Very nice! It makes me excited for canning season to start now!
Thank you!
POSTED FOR ALY
Oh Where, Oh Where has my Pet Spider Gone
by Aly Kenna
Oh Where, Oh Where has my Little Dog Gone/If you don’t succeed the first time, try again/moon
(98 words)
Oh, where, oh, where
has my pet spider gone?
Oh, where, oh, where
can he be?
With his big beefy legs
and his eight googly eyes
Oh, where, oh where
can he be?
Last night he snuck out
when the big moon was full
I did not notice him go.
In the morning my dad
grew a thick black moustache
I thought he looked rather cool.
But my mother freaked out,
ran out of the house
I still don’t understand why.
If he doesn’t come back
I’ll ask for a snake.
Oh where, oh where can he be?
Where, Oh Where Has My Story Book Gone?
by Ashley Sierra
Word Count: 117
Song: Where, Oh Where Has My Little Dog Gone?
Theme: If you don’t succeed the first time, try again.
Important Word: Story book
Where, oh where has my story book gone?
Oh where, oh where could it be?
Maybe . . .
I left it near the tree
after reading with Mommy.
Let me see.
Nope, empty.
Where, oh where has my story book gone?
Oh where, oh where could it be?
Maybe . . .
I left it with the tea
I drank with Daddy.
Let me see.
Nope, empty.
Where, oh where has my story book gone?
Oh where, oh where could it be?
Maybe . . .
I know WHERE it could be!
I drank so much TEA,
I had to . . . brush my teeth. (I can’t have tea stains on my teeth.)
Let me see.
Oh THERE, oh THERE is my story book on . . . the potty.
Super cute idea. You could really go to town with the crazy places books get left behind.
Thanks for reading, Elenore! That’s a great idea. I’m sure books have been found in some unexpected places.
Hahah! I like the way you think! LOL We BOTH wrote about potty’s! This is really cute!
Maybe, trying to get my toddler to go on the potty is influencing my writing 😬.
Love it! So playful and fun with an ending kids will enjoy.
Thanks, Sarah!
A creative twist on the Where oh Where song that would appeal to book lovers everywhere! Terrific work coming up with all the -ee/-y rhymes, Ashley! I love the line I had to…brush my teeth followed by finding the book on the potty! Hilarious!
Ninja, Ninja, Little Sneak
By, Bevin Rolfs Spencer
(Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star/Even when you’re bad you’re still loved) 120 words
Ninja, Ninja, little sneak,
Silent mission, tip-toe, creep!
Down below the kitchen stairs,
Silly parents, unawares!
Ninja, Ninja, little sneak,
To the cookie jar you streak.
Up above the fridge so high,
Like a treasure in the sky.
Ninja, Ninja, fast and sly,
On her skills she will rely!
Monster, chocolate, marshmallow goo
Too many choices, seconds few!
Ninja, Ninja, on a chair,
Hair stands up, feels a glare.
Uh-oh! Caught with hand in jar–
“Naughty Ninja, you’ve gone too far!”
Ninja, Ninja, back to bed,
Blankie mask around her head.
“But Teddy needs a bedtime snack!
Beasties, dragons might attack!”
Ninja, Ninja, little sneak,
Daddy kisses on her cheek.
“You’re a wonder, brave and true.
Even naughty, we love you.”
Cute story. I like the last line – even naughty, we love you. Nice.
Clever take on Twinkle, Twinkle. Great closing line, too. Sounds like this could be about my littles. =)
This is great! And the last line… so sweet!
Jack and Jill Revisit Their Hill
(Jack and Jill, if at first you don’t succeed…, storybook)
-Ashley B Pedigo
Jack and Jill
Went up the hill
To fetch a pail of water
Jack fell down
And broke his crown
And Jill—
Jack turned and looked at Jill from the bottom of the hill. “HEY! My crown? I don’t want to break anything.”
“But Jack,” said Jill. “You have to break something, that’s how the rhyme goes.”
“What about…
Jack and Jill
Went up the hill
To fetch a pail of water
Jack fell down
And broke his CRAYON
And Jill came tumbling after?
That’s better right?”
Jill crossed her arms. Now she was at the bottom of the hill. “Excuse me? You break a crayon and I fall all the way down the side of a hill? I don’t think so. How about…
Jack and Jill
Went up the hill
To fetch a pail of water
Jack fell down
And broke his CRAYON
And Jill looked on in LAUGHTER.”
“But Jill— laughter doesn’t rhyme with water.”
“But neither does after. Laughter rhymes with after. They make the same amount of sense.”
Jack held his broken crayon in his fist. “I don’t know if I want a pail of water anyway. What if instead we tried…
Jack and Jill
Went up the hill
To fetch some LEMONADE
Jack fell down
And broke his crayon—“
“While Jill enjoyed hers in the shade!” Jill finished, sipping her lemonade through a straw.
Jack held up a second broken crayon. “I’m going to run out of crayons.”
“How would we get lemonade at the top of the hill? Nothing up there but that old well. Instead it should be—
Jack and Jill
Went up the hill
With a basket and cold lemonade
No one fell down
Breaking crayons or crowns
Oh, what a fine picnic they’d made!”
“Jill? I like they way you think.”
“Well..
If your storybook ending doesn’t quite go your way,
editing, my friend, will save the day!”
Way to think outside the box, Ashley! This is such a fun and funny retelling of the nursery rhyme. I definitely like your edited revision much better than the original. Great job!
hahah! This was so much fun! Loved reading this!
Ashley, great job! This was so funny!
Jo and Flo
By
Christine Alemshah
[WC: 79]
[Jack and Jill/If you work together you can solve a problem]
Jo and Flo,
Went up the tree,
To fetch a juicy mango,
Jo fell asleep and fell in a heap,
And Flo came tumbling after.
Jo woke up, and up did climb,
As fast as claws would take him,
Flo gave a boost, on shoulders did roost
To tango towards that mango.
Jo and Flo,
Went up the tree,
To fetch a juicy mango — MUNCH! MUNCH!
Jo fell asleep and fell in a heap,
And Flo came tumbling after.
Cute characters! Nice job! 🙂
Little Lilly’s Blunder
Elenore Byrne
WC 113
Song: The Itsy-Bitsy Spider; Theme: Even when you’re bad, you’re still loved; Important Item: Teddy bear
Little Lilly’s blunder
Filled up her head with doubt;
Down came her mood
And wrapped her in a pout;
Up in her room
Her tears fell down like rain;
Because Little Lilly’s blunder
Kept playing in her brain.
Little Lilly’s blunder
It lingered in the air;
Down came her arms
And hugged her Teddy bear;
In came her mum
Who washed away the doubt;
So then Little Lilly’s blunder
Started to fade out.
Little Lilly’s blunder
Felt smaller once she shared;
When she recalled
That lots of people cared;
Out walked her mood
And Lilly went to play;
Because Little Lilly’s blunder
Was over for the day.
What a lovely story, Elenore! You captured Little Lilly’s emotions beautifully.
Thanks Deborah
Such a great idea to use the Itsy Bitsy Spider to work through remorse and forgiveness for mistakes, Elenore. I love the title and the line “down came her mood and wrapped her in a pout.” Fantastic!
Thanks Jill
Aw! So sweet! I love this one, Elenore!
Thanks Michelle for reading it.
This is lovely. How nice that Lilly for the support she needed. Amazing the character growth you showed in such a short piece!
Thanks Erin for reading.
Loved this story! You really highlighted the emotions! 🙂
Ride, Ride, Ride My Bike
(89 words, Row, Row, Row Your Boat and If you don’t succeed the first time, try again)
Ride, ride, ride my bike,
Slowly down the yard,
Shakily, shakily, shakily, shakily,
Riding bikes is hard.
Ride, ride, ride my bike,
Weakly down the trail,
Wobbly, wobbly, wobbly, wobbly,
Surely set to fail.
Ride, ride, ride my bike,
Calmly down the way,
Steadily, steadily, steadily, steadily,
Keep my nerves at bay.
Ride, ride, ride my bike,
Soundly down the street,
Happily, happily, happily, happily,
Think I’ve found my feet.
Ride, ride, ride my bike,
Swiftly down the lane,
If at first you don’t succeed,
Try and try again!
So cute! Love the progression – shakily, wobbly, steadily, happily…great visuals (and so true!)
I love this. It is a great description of learning how to ride a bike. Well done! 🙂
Very nice rhythm, rhyme, and story arc! This is great!
Aw! This is great, Sue! I can totally see this as a picture book!
Friends for Life
by Deb Sullivan
93 Words
Song: Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star
Theme: Friends should always stick together
Important Item: Blackberries
Twinkle, twinkle Sarah Ash
Stay away from my sweet stash.
I picked berries all day long
Taking mine would be so wrong.
Find your own treats, eat them all
Firm or juicy, big or small.
Ooh, you’ve gathered quite a spread
Ice cream, brownies, cheesecake bread.
Those look yummy, can we share?
Bite for bite, that’s only fair.
Blackberries are lumpy fun
Take one, chew it, then you’re done.
Sure, I’ll try that powdered square
Then the fudge ball over there.
Cut that cookie with a knife,
Mmm, that’s tasty, friends for life!
This was a tasty delight!
Thanks so much Michelle!
This is delightful, Deb! It made me hungry, too.
Yummy, sweet rhyming
Thanks for reading it, Lyn
Fireflies
By Lyn Jekowsky
(wc 96, Twinkle Twinkle Little Star,
It’s important to stay true to yourself)
Sparkle, glimmer tiny lights
lighting up my backyard night.
Swirling, twirling fireflies,
blinking, flying toward the sky.
Sparkle, glimmer tiny lights,
lighting up my backyard night.
One dark night the sparkle stopped,
No lights below or over top.
No soft whir of tiny wings.
No firefly shine on anything.
One dark night the sparkle stopped,
No twinkle on the night’s dew drops
Sparkle, glimmer tiny lights,
Return to light my backyard night.
Please be who you truly are,
not a cloud or a star.
The world will be a better place,
shine your light on every face.
Great visuals for a summer night!
A sparkling firefly poem. The world is a better place with lots of fireflies. Glad they returned in the end.
Wow – this one was super challenging but as always so, so fun! Try as I might, the story just refused to fit into 100 words! Next time! 🙂
The Rescue
By Marta Cutler
(Itsy Bitsy Spider / Friends should stick together and If you work together you can solve a problem / Moon)
The itsy bitsy Monster climbed up the tower wall
Dragon right behind him to catch him should he fall
Out came the moon to guide them on their way
Two brave friends together with dreams of faraway.
Above them on the tower top was caught a little star
That itsy bitsy Monster had spotted from afar
Lost and all alone its starlight trembled in the night
But two brave friends were on their way with plans to put things right
Inch by inch they climbed until they reached the tower top
Though he shook with fear Monster knew he couldn’t stop
He gently lifted off that star and climbed on dragon’s wing
And as they flew out in the night the star began to sing
“Mother Moon don’t worry, I’m on my way back home
I’ve learned my lesson well – no farther shall I roam”
Then two brave friends did wave goodbye and turned their sites to bed
Dreams of sleep and stars and moons dancing in their head
What a sweet adventure! And 2 themes?? Awesome… Well done!
Thanks for the lovely compliment Deborah! I’m so glad you like it!
BEAR’S FRESH START
By Allison Strick
100 words
The Bear Went Over the Mountain / Even when you’re bad, you’re still loved
——
Sob. I blew it.
I ate Rabbit’s strawberries. “Bear!!!”
Hey, hunger called.
Stomped through Fox’s ceiling. “Help!!”
Ooops. I’m a growing bear!
And left a pile of you-know-what under Bluebird’s tree. “P. U!”
When you gotta go, you gotta go.
So over the mountain I go.
What will I see? New friends. Or maybe no one at all to annoy. A fresh start!
Sniffle.
Just a few…
more….
steps!
And I see….
Rabbit! “Where are you off to, Bear?”
Fox! “You weren’t leaving without us, were you?”
Bluebird! “It’s beautiful here!”
It is, isn’t it?
Sigh.
A fresh start…together.
Aw. What a sweet story. Friends forgive! 🙂
Oh, thanks so much!
ROCK A BYE ZOMBIE
BY: Susan Summers
WC:94
Rock A Bye Baby, Even When You’re Bad You’re Still Loved, ‘DEAD’-y [teddy]
Rock-A-Bye Zombie
In the soft bed
Can’t fall asleep
KER-PLOP! Goes her head.
It’s rolling towards Dad.
With a sigh and groan.
“I’m sorry Dad,” she says with a moan.
“Oh, my sweet Zombie,
get back to bed.
Daddy still loves you,
don’t lose your head.
I know you are sorry,
that you were bad.
You’ll do better tomorrow.
Come hug your dad.”
Little green zombie
rolls back to bed.
Snuggles with deady
in her soft bed.
Soon she is snoring,
KER- PLOP! Go her toes.
In the morning she’ll have
quite different woes!
Love the Zombie twist to this! 🙂
Thanks, it came to me at 2am this morning. LOL!
So much to love about Rock a Bye Zombie–don’t lose your head, snuggles with ready, and the continuous KER-PLOP of body parts! Gruesomely good, Susan!
Thanks Jill. 🙂
This is hilarious and sweet!
Thank you. 🙂
This is great! Fantastically ghoulish and fun to visualize.
Thank you! 🙂
Great job, Susan! Getting ready for Zombie Week, I see!!! This is a lot of fun! I love “deady” instead of “daddy”. Very creative!
Thanks, Michelle! 🙂
Ha, ha, gotta love zombies! And I love your story, snuggling with ‘deadly’, ‘don’t lose your head’! This should be a book, I’m sure lots of interesting things could happen! Great job!
So funny Susan! Loved the ending!
Thank you. 🙂
It’s Raining, It’s Pouring If you work together you can solve a Problem Pink Blankie
WC 82
Rainy Day Problem… Solvers
By Susan Schipper
It’s raining, it’s pouring our day is oh quite boring
We want to go out, have some fun and maybe do some exploring!
Mommy said we need to stay inside instead
Now we have a problem!
But we can work together in spite of the weather
Let’s see what we can do!
Let’s build a tent, pretend we’re outside
We’ll see what we can find
Oh here’s the Pink Blankie, some tape and two chairs
We will have the best tent anywhere!
As a kid I always loved making tents from sheets and blanket on an indoor play day. Love this ending!
A creative solution to a dreary day, captured perfectly! Well done, Susan!
Thanks, Jill! Your comments are always so thoughtful! 🙂
To Grandmother’s House We Go
Row, Row, Row Your Boat; it’s important to try new things; map
Jeannette Suhr w/c 117
Row, row, row our boat.
Everyone sit still.
Let’s not rock or twist or turn.
Everyone just chill.
Row, row, row our boat.
Everyone gets a turn.
Let’s remember all our lessons.
Isn’t it fun to learn?
Row, row, row our boat.
Let’s explore the river.
The map will help us stay on course.
We have gifts to deliver.
Row, row, row our boat.
Grandma’s house is near.
She’ll have lunch, dessert and drink.
She’ll be surprised when we appear.
Row, row, row our boat.
Grandma thinks we’re driving.
Her eyes will pop, her mouth will drop.
When she sees us arriving.
No horn to toot.
No smelly fumes.
Just us in our boat.
And swimming costumes.
POSTED FOR DIANNE
It’s raining, it’s pouring.
By Dianne Irving
Map
If you, don’t succeed the first time, try again.
It’s raining, it’s pouring;
This treasure map is boring.
He decided to go and he
Found it slow.
And found nothing at all by morning.
It’s raining, it’s pouring;
This treasure map is boring.
He went again and he
Brought a friend.
And they couldn’t get over the walking.
It’s raining, it’s pouring;
This treasure map is boring.
They decided to run and he
Thought it fun.
And despite the weather,
found his treasure all by the morning.
(To the tune of Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star / If you don’t succeed the first time, try again / Teddy Bear)
TINKLE, TINKLE, POTTY STRESS! (WC 116)
By Michelle S. Kennedy
Tinkle, Tinkle, potty stress!
Toilet time. I lift my dress.
Sometimes when I cannot go
singing helps to make things flow…
Tinkle, Tinkle, potty stress!
Sit and wait, but I digress.
Mommy says to stop my cryin’.
I’ll succeed if I keep tryin’…
Tinkle, tinkle potty stress!
Will I go? My hope is— yes.
Teddy’s here. I’m not alone.
Cheering me, while on my throne…
Tinkle, Tinkle, potty stress!
Trying’s hard. I must confess.
Wiggle-wriggle, can’t sit still…
LOOK! (A Poopsie!) Such a thrill!
Tinkle, Tinkle, potty stress!
Oopsie. I have made a mess.
Toilet paper’s on the floor.
(At least I flushed) I’ll close door…
Tinkle, Tinkle, potty stress!
Glad I’m done— Bathroom success!
So funny, very clever, and in rhyme. I’m always amazed by the creativity of kidlit writers. Really fun to read. Great job!
Thank you, Ashley!!!
This is so cute! Good job!
Thank you, Jeannette!!!
Hah! What tot (and parent) can’t relate to this one- fun read!
Glad you enjoyed my “potty” humor! LOL
LOVE LOVE LOVE it, Michelle, especially the lines with I digress and Look! A Poopsie! Hilarious! You really nailed the tribulations of toilet training. I see a board book in your future…
AW! Thanks, Jill! This was a fun prompt to write!
Love the repetition of your first lines! What a cute idea for a story poem and kids can relate to this kind of stress for sure!
LOL! Thanks Leslie! I couldn’t resist writing a little bathroom humor when I kept thinking of “Tinkle Tinkle” in place of “Twinkle Twinkle.”
Stress starts early in life! But she succeeded after not giving up, yay! Funny, sweet and encouraging too, great job!
Thank you, Katie!
POSTED FOR ISABEL
Where, Oh Where Has My Little Dog Gone?
By Isabel Cruz Rodriguez
WC: 55 Words – Song: Where, Oh Where Has My Little Dog Gone?
Theme: If you don’t succeed the first time, try again – Item: Teddy bear
Where, oh where has my little dog gone?
He left the suds in a rush.
I tried and tried without success
To catch the tiny, soiled mess.
He slipped so quickly between my hands
I continued to search in despair
Then I heard something plop in the sudsy tub
And found a wet teddy bear!
I can see that scene playing out, for sure!
Use Your Map
By Padgy Soltis
Word count: 57
Row, Row, Row Your Boat; Friends should always stick together; Map
Use, use, use, your map
Let it guide your way
Together, together, together, together
Laugh and play all day
Use, use, use, your map
Don’t stay out too late
Together, together, together, together
Stay with your best mate
Use, use, use your map
Stars light up the moon
Together, together, together, together
Find the way back soon
I like the image of friends finding their way together….and in less than 60 words? Well done!
Better late than never. This challenge was hard.
THE DAISY
Jack and Jill Went Up the Hill
If you work together you can solve a problem
Daisy
Word Count: 96
Jack and Jill went up the hill
To fetch a daisy to pick for Mum
They searched and searched along the path
For yellow or pink or plum
Just then . . .
Jill and Jack heard one big crack
A branch fell down, and it blocked their way
They pushed and shoved and heaved the stick
Until it just finally rolled away
And then . . .
Jack and Jill came down the hill
Their prize was pretty, it made Mum smile
A bud for Mum shows love and care
For effort the two tykes shared.
Yay! No doubt Mum was thrilled with their hard work – great message 🙂
Oopsy Daisy!
By Marta Cutler
(Row Row Row Your Boat / Even when you’re bad, you’re still loved / Daisy)
85 words
Splish splash wash the plates
I’m going around the bend
Clinking and clattering, crashing and rattling
Will it never end?
Splish splash toss the suds
Now this is way more fun!
Bubbly, wubbly, chubbily shapes
Down the wall they run
Splosh splish I hit the cat!
Oh dear, what have I done!
Hissing and spitting, yowling and howling
Daisy’s on the run!
Sploosh splosh mop it up
Towel off the cat
Purring and rubbing, still mewing and loving
But a scratch as tit for tat!
This made me smile! Very cute!
Thank you Michelle!
(Song: Twinkle, twinkle, little star, Theme: Just because it’s looks good doesn’t mean it is)
YUMMY, YUMMY, LITTLE PIE
By Nicole Loos Miller (29 words)
Yummy, yummy, little pie!
Who would leave you all alone?
Chocolate, gooey, scrumptious pie.
One big scoop and open wide,
Yucky! Yucky! Little pie!
Squishy, wormy, gloopy…MUD!
Fun! Love the surprise ending and great words in your last line.
THE BAT FLEW OVER THE PUMPKINS
By Sarah Meade
Word Count: 111
(The Bear Went Over the Mountain & If you don’t succeed the first time, try again)
Every day in October…
The bat flew over the pumpkins,
The bat flew over the pumpkins,
The bat flew over the pumpkins,
To see what she could see.
The other sides of the pumpkins,
The other sides of the pumpkins,
The other sides of the pumpkins,
Were all that she could see!
Boo.
Then….
On the last night of October:
The bat flew over the pumpkins,
The bat flew over the pumpkins,
The bat flew over the pumpkins,
To see what she could see.
The scary sides of the pumpkins,
The scary sides of the pumpkins,
The scary sides of the pumpkins,
Were all that she could see!
Yippee!
Happy Halloween!
So fun and creative and about my favorite holiday 🎃.
Thanks, Ashley! 🙂
Yay! I hope the bat is brave too 🙂 Cute story, Sarah!
Thanks, Deb!
What a cute Halloween take on The Bear Went Over the Mountain, Sarah. Love the Boo and Yippee parts!
Thank you, Jill!
Fun twist at the end with Halloween pumpkins. Fun!
POSTED FOR DAWN
Row-Row-Row Your Boat / If you don’t succeed try again / story book
38 words
READ A BOOK
By Dawn Young
Read-Read-Read a book,
fluent as can be.
Happily-happily-happily-happily!
Story books are the key.
Try-try-try again,
If you don’t succeed.
Ask a friend for a little help.
That is all you’ll need!
Love this!