Does your brain feel like marshmallow mush?
Do you dread sitting down, all alone, to face the blank screen for yet another day?
Are you unable to remember the last time you had a good idea… or ANY idea?
Well, you’ve come to the right place!
We’re going to shake things up!
Yessirree Bob we most certainly are!
It’s just your butt in a chair
And a pen in your hand
A kind of far off stare
As ideas expand
But it’s the lightbulb moment
That really makes you exclaim
Let’s do the Mix ‘n’ Match Mini Writing Challenge again!
Let’s do the Mix ‘n’ Match Mini Writing Challenge again!
(yes, I know “Mix ‘n’ Match Mini Writing Challenge” has way more syllables than “time warp” but its the vibe that counts! 😊)
Now that I’ve gotten that tune stuck in your head for the rest of the day 😊 ARE YOU READY???
(Not a contest exactly… no room in the blog calendar, no time for judging, no gigantic prizes on offer…but still (hopefully!) tons of fun!)
Here’s how it works:
Starting today, each Monday until June 19th (which makes 7 Mondays total and will get us pretty much to the end of the school term) I will post a Mix ‘n’ Match Mini Writing Prompt for a 100 word story. Post your story in the comment section for that week’s challenge (or if you have trouble posting it, email it to me and I’ll post it for you.) At the end of the 7 weeks, everyone who has posted one story for each week’s prompt will
A) have 7 brand new stories to play with! (Who knows? Your next picture book or even chapter book or longer might be sparked by something you write for the Challenge!)
B) be able to take credit for entertaining lots of fellow writers and/or their kids/students (not to mention you’ll entertain yourself and your own kids/students if you have any!)
and
C) if you complete all 7 you will qualify to win a prize from the Mix ‘n’ Match Mini Mystery Bag of Marvelous Prizes for Writers! (In the past we have managed to scare up enough prizes that all of the approximately 40 people who completed the challenge got something, but we’ll have to see how the available prizes stack up this year – if there aren’t enough for everyone who completes the challenge we’ll have to randomly draw winners until we run out of prizes, but you will still win A and B above!)
In an attempt to answer possible questions in advance I will say:
- you can write as many stories as you want each week
- you can post them at any time during the week (just make sure they’re on the Monday Mix ‘n’ Match Mini post for the week you’re entering – e.g. below for Week #1))
- you can play catch up (so if you miss a week you can go back and add to an earlier week if you’re trying to complete the challenge and qualify for prizes as long as all entries are posted on the correct week and are posted no later than Saturday June 25th at midnight Eastern time.)
- no illustration notes
- You may go over the word count if you’re on a roll and you wish to (because there is no judging 😊)
- You may write in poetry or prose
You can compete with yourself to see if you can write all 7 stories! You can compete with your writing friends to see if you can write more than they do! Above all, you can have fun with lots of other writers and get those ideas flowing!
When the muse has turned to marshmallow mush, children’s writers whip out the chocolate bars and graham crackers and make S’mores!
So here we go!
Mix ‘n’ Match Mini Writing Prompt #1 for Week of May 8:
Choose a character from Column A and an action from Column B and write your 100-word story!
| Column A | Column B |
| Maria Sophia Louisa Soufflé * | tells a lie (or falsehood, fib, untruth) |
| Giraffe | will not! |
| Pickles | is bored |
| Little Red * | pilfers a pie |
| Harold | won’t take a bath |
| Cap’n Dreadful * | puts pepper in the pancakes |
| T-Rex | loses his/her library book |
* Name (or any portion of the name) counts as 1 word
You may also include Mother’s Day in your story if you’d like, since that will be occurring at the end of this week 😊, but that is NOT required.
A little sampling of the prizes up for grabs appears below the list of Week #1 Stories to whet your competitive spirit 😊 LOTS MORE TO COME!
Read the Week #1 Stories!
Gerald The Giraffe Will Not – Tomi Rockey Rues
The Spelling Knee – Kelly Clasen
Maria-Sophia-Louisa-Soufflé – Afraid to be Bored – Holland Paley
Untitled – Penny Taub
Bath Time – Elizabeth Meyer zu Heringdorf
Maria Sophia Lousia Souffle Pilfered a Pie – Mary Zychowicz
A Tall Tale – Anjali Amit
Maria Sophia Louisa Soufflé Won’t Take a Bath – Elizabeth Thoms Charles
Maria Sophia Luisa Souffle // will not! – Sara Kruger
Giraffe and the Lost Library Book – Angel Gantnier
Untitled – Linda Schueler
T. Rex Will Not – Debbie J. Arnn
Untitled – Lindsey Hobson
Pickles Pilfered A Pie (or several) – Patricia Nozell
Little T-Rex Tells A Lie – Haley Hendrickson
Little Red – Kelly Kates
Pickles The Prankster – Sarah Meade
Timothy T. Rex – Susan E. Schipper
Tricera-CHOPS – Bri Lawyer
Giraffe Needs A Bath – Stephanie Maksymiw
Pickles Is Bored – Ben Jeder
Pilfering Pickles and Peter – Jen Bagan
T-Rex Pilfers A Pie – Ryann Jones
T-Rex’s Tall Tale – Jill Lambert
Where’s My Library Book – Ellie Langford
Do Not Feed The Fish – Dianne Borowski
King Tommy T-Rex – Lyn Jekowsky
Maria Sophia Louisa Souffle – Julianna Kurtz
Harold T-Rex Must Tell the Truth – Jessica Milo
Pickles and Pals Have A Picnic – Deborah Ishii
Leave the Cake, Take the Wolf Repellent – Julie Hauswirth
Pie, Please! – Elyse Trevers
Untitled – Suzy Grossman
Cap’n Dreadful Beats The Doldrums – Leslie Degman
Consequences for Whom? – Colleen Murphy
T-Rex Will Not Tell One More Lie! – Ashley Sierra
Cap’n Dreadful vs. The Bath – Katie McEnaney
Cap’n Dreadful will NOT – Marta Cutler
No Bath For Tiny T-Rex – Dawn Renee Young
Little Red Puts Pepper In The Pancakes – Tiffany Hanson
Cap’n Dreadful Will Not Take A Bath – Jenna Elyse Johnson
Little Red Relaxes – Marie Prins
Little Red and the Peppered Pancakes. – Lisa M. Horn
Giraffe Won’t Take a Bath – Marta Cutler
Maria Sophia Louisa Soufflé Does Not Like Her Name – Jen Lee
Little Red – Michelle S. Kennedy
Maria Souffle’s Peppery Pancakes – Bev Schellenberg
Giraffe Won’t Take A Bath – Sara Petersohn
Maria Sophia Louisa Soufflé Puts Pepper In The Pancakes – Krithika Santhanam
Maria Louisa and the Lost Library Book – Elizabeth Muster
Stella Loses Her Library Book – Lauren N. Simmons
Harold Loses His Library Book – Isabel C. Rodriguez
Little Red Loses Her Library Book – Beth Volkmann
Sour Pickle – Lauri Meyers
I’m Bored – Jen Subra
Mama’s Tough Love: A True Tale of Baby Giraffe! – Sally Yorke-Viney
Pickles Picklepants And The Terrible Tub – Deb Buschman
Cap’n Dreadful Refuses To Take A Bath – Royal Baysinger
When it comes time for prizes, names of all those who completed the challenge will be drawn randomly and matched with prizes drawn randomly until we run out! 😊
⭐️ Picture Book Manuscript Critique from Penny Parker Klostermann, talented author of THERE WAS AN OLD DRAGON WHO SWALLOWED A KNIGHT (Random House 2015) and A COOKED-UP FAIRY TALE (Random House 2017) as well as the forthcoming SPIDER LADY: Nan Songer and Her Arachnid WWII Army (Astra/Calkins Creek 2025) and another as yet unannounced 😊
⭐️ Mary Munson and Kate Talbot are offering a “Love Bundle”. They are the author and illustrator of LOVE WILL TURN YOU AROUND. Mary will sign the book and send swag (US only), and Kate will offer a critique (picture book manuscript OR art, winner’s choice!)
⭐️ Picture Book Manuscript Critique OR Ask-Me-Anything Chat OR a signed copy of SCIENCE, MATTER AND THE BASEBALL PARK (winner’s choice!) from author Catherine Ciocchi. Catherine is a multi-published author and a teacher with a knack for STEM-themed rhyming texts. Her books include SCIENCE, MATTER AND THE BASEBALL PARK (Gnome Road Publishing, March 28, 2023) and THIS LAND IS YOUR LAND (Arbordale Publishing, May 2015)
⭐️ a 20 minute Zoom or phone Ask Me Anything with Jilanne Hoffman, author of 2 board books, THE HONEY BEAR HIVE (Mudpuppy January 2023), HAPPY CAMPER (Mudpuppy January 2022), and the forthcoming picture book A RIVER OF DUST
⭐️ Copy Editing/Proofreading Of Up To 5 Picture Book Texts (All Types and Lengths) from Elizabeth Meyer zu Heringdorf, professional technical writer and copy editor.
Elizabeth Meyer zu Heringdorf
⭐️ a first read-through recording package from children’s author and poet Sarah Meade, contributor to HOP TO IT: POEMS TO GET YOU MOVING (Pomelo Books, 2020!) where she will read aloud and record up to five PB manuscripts for one author (1,000 words or less each, fiction or nonfiction, rhyming or non-rhyming) so you can hear how your stories sound to someone who is unfamiliar with them on a first read-through! Very helpful and emlightening!
⭐️ Ask Infowoman: A Library Consult Regardless of where you are in your writing career – brand new or seasoned author – Kathy Halsey has a wealth of information to help you! From insight into what books school librarians need/want in their collections (which can help you target your writing for success) to helping you create an engaging school visit and all kinds of things between…and beyond… check out her website to see what this fantastic prize can offer you!
Kathy Halsey currently serves on the State Library of Ohio’s “Choose to Read Ohio” program and writes curricular toolkits for SLO’s award-winning children’s books. She is a former K-12 school librarian, seventh grade English teacher, and bookseller for a children’s independent bookstore. Her first work for hire board book releases fall, 2023.
2019 PBChat Mentorship
SCBWI Ohio Central-South Co-Assistant Regional Advisor
Former Community Manager, Storyteller Academy
Ohio Educational Library Media Association Past President
⭐️ a signed copy of ANIMALS IN SURPRISING SHADES: POEMS ABOUT EARTH’S COLORFUL CREATURES (Gnome Road Publishing, March 28, 2023)from author Susan Johnston Taylor! This book is great for classrooms and recommended by SLJ!
⭐️ a copy of Becky Scharnhorst‘s brand new picture book – just coming out on May 16th! – HOW TO GET YOUR OCTOPUS TO SCHOOL (Flamingo Books, May 16, 2023)
⭐️ A signed copy of Susanna Leonard Hill’s ALPHABEDTIME (Nancy Paulsen Books/PRH, October 25, 2022), generously sponsored by a very kind anonymous donor! Thank you so much for your donation, You Know Who You Are 😊
⭐️ A copy of Mary Kole’s Writing Irresistible Kidlit: The Ultimate Guide to Crafting Fiction for Young Adult and Middle Grade Writers
⭐️ A copy of Making A Living Writing Books For Kids by Laura Purdie Salas
⭐️ Making Picture Book Magic Self Study Class (any month)
⭐️ Magnetic Poetry – Little Box of Happiness
Susanna Leonard Hill 
Thank you Susanna for creating this fun challenge once again! And I am SOOO glad it is not being judged, for your sake and ours.
It is WAY more fun for me when there’s no judging, Colleen! I never like to have to cut anyone! 😊
Yay, Susanna! Thanks for doing this again! It’s a favorite of mine and I can’t wait to get started. Love this first prompt 🙂
So glad you’re excited, Marty! 😊
Oh, this is creative and fun! Thank you for doing this.
Week #1
Gerald the Giraffe Will Not
“The sun is shining,
The sun is bright,
It’s such a happy day!”
“Oh, it’s cloudy,
It’s gloomy,
It’s such a crummy day.”
“Good morning,” says Gerald the giraffe.
“Ugh,” groans Poppy the porcupine.
“What’s a matter, friend?”
“It’s cloudy,
It’s gloomy,
I just feel crummy.”
“Well, my view is above the clouds and
The sun is shining,
The sun is bright,
I just feel happy!”
“Bend that long neck of yours,
Come see what I see.”
“I will not,
But,
Perhaps, I can help you see what I see.”
(Ill. note Giraffe gently picks up Poppy and shows the view above the clouds.)
So glad you’re keen to jump in, Tomi! And I really enjoyed what you did with the prompt – two opposite views and one kind soul helping the other to see things from a better perspective! 😊
Awh, thank you!
And, thanks again for all that you do for the kidlit world.
Lovely how Giraffe helps Poppy gain a brighter perspective!
Thank you!:)
This was just the nudge I needed to get started with an idea I’ve been chewing on for some time. I used “Harold” & “lie.” Here are the first 100 words, though I’ve already doubled that! Thanks for the inspiration.
The Spelling Knee
by Kelly Clasen
Harold thinks spelling tests stink.
Each week, he memorizes the word list.
Each week, his mind goes blank at test time.
Sweaty palms,
pounding heart,
the teacher calls out “definitely.”
Harold writes “definately.”
The teacher calls out “humorous.”
Harold writes “humerus.”
Each week, bright red ink covers his graded test.
Each week, Harold’s face matches it.
This week’s list is a doozy.
Harold’s not even going to try to memorize
“embarrass” or “irony.”
What’s the point?
The morning of the spelling test,
Harold writes those words
in tiny black letters—
right on his bare knee.
Take that, spelling test.
So glad you’re joining in the fun, Kelly! But oh, Harold! What were you thinking? Naughty, naughty Harold! 🤣
Ha! I can tell you Harold ends up telling his teacher about his moral lapse. Phew! 🙂
I think many kids, and parents whose kids dread those spelling tests, will relate to those sweating palms & pounding hearts.
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Hi Susanna, I had trouble posting this in the comments section, so I’m sending it by email. Thanks so much for the inspiration!Here we go! WEEK ONE, MIX’n’MATCH, MAY 8, 2023
Maria-Sophia-Louisa-Soufflé – Afraid to be Bored
Maria-Sophia-Louisa-Soufflé
loved to be busy each minute, each day!
She’d finish her homework right after school,
Then jump rope with friends and plunge in the pool.
She’d gobble down dinner then head for the shower,
And read all the books she could fit in an hour!
Afraid to be bored, she kept herself busy.
But those around her, were all feeling dizzy!
Her mom asked, one day, “would it be such a crime,
If you stayed in one place, shhh… like a mime.
Now, close your eyes, and quiet your mind.
Think of world peace and of ALL being kind.”
So, Maria-Sophia-Louisa-Soufflé
Set an intention and said, “Namaste!”
She felt a calmness, her mom called it grace.
It wasn’t so bad to slow down the pace.
“I thought doing nothing could be kind of boring.
But this meditating can be so restoring!”
Nice job, Holland! I think we can all learn a little something from your heroine – slow down and smell the roses! 😊
POSTED FOR PENNY TAUB
Little Red stared at the calendar. Mother’s Day was in five days. She needed to make Granny something. But what could she make? Knit a pair of slippers? Too hard. Paint a picture? Too messy. Pancakes. Yes. Granny loved pancakes. That morning, Red tip-toed into the kitchen. She gathered all her ingredients on the counter. She measured and poured them into a big bowl. Ginger the cat jumped on the counter. Red shoed her away and picked up the pepper. She sprinkled it in the pancake batter. Granny never noticed the black flecks sprinkled in the fluffy pancakes.
Thanks for joining in the fun, Penny! I am amazed that Granny did not notice the pepper!
Lovely story Penny. Peppery pancakes!
Anjali
BATH TIME
Elizabeth Meyer zu Heringdorf
Maria Sophia Louisa Soufflé
Was packing her suitcase and running away.
As soon as she heard the hot bathwater running,
She knew that her parents this time weren’t funning.
With baggage, stuffed besties, some licorice and sandals,
She ran down the street from the evil soap vandals.
She sped through the neighbor’s wild juniper hedge,
And jumped to the rails from a very high ledge.
But as she was waiting for whistles to sing,
She heard Mama calling: “We’ll do anything!”
So Maria Sophia Louisa Soufflé
Took a bath with her parents.
Take care what you say!
Hahaha! 😊 Love this, Elizabeth! Your Maria would give Harry the Dirty Dog a run for his money 😊
Thanks, Susanna!
This is so much fun! Thank you for doing this.
Maria Sophia Lousia Souffle – Pilfered a Pie
Maria Sophia Louisa Souffle
Pilfered a pie from the bakery one day.
She gave it to Grandma who lived down the lane,
But Grandma suspected the pie was from ill-gotten gain.
Maria admitted to stealing the pie,
not wanting to compound things by telling a lie.
She returned to the bakery with the luscious confection
and blurted out her sorry confession.
The baker was grateful and gave Maria a chance,
to work in the bakery and get an advance.
She paid for the pie and learned not to steal.
And she and Grandma ate pie after their afternoon meal.
So glad you had fun with this, Mary! And lucky Maria Sophia Louisa Souffle – learning an important lesson and still getting pie! 😊
POSTED FOR ANJALI
A Tall Tale by Anjali Amit
Ger the Giraffe was bored.
His friends were busy grazing on the soft, green grass.
“Will you play with me?” Ger asked.
“No time,” said Antelope.
“Eating, eating.” said Zebra.
“Wish I was stylish like Zebra. Or big-horned like Antelope. Then they would play with me.”
The summer grew hotter.
The grasses turned stiffer.
Grazing became harder.
Ger saw his friends become tired. And skinny.
“I will take them the soft leaves that only I can reach,” he said. And he did.
“Thank you,” they said. “Friends and playmates forever.
Ger smiled. Tall is useful too.
Aw! Tall is useful and so is kind! Thanks for a sweet story, Anjali!
Lovely, Anjali! What a clever title too.
POSTED FOR ELIZABETH
This is so much fun. Thank you.
Week 1
Maria Sophia Louisa Soufflé Won’t Take a Bath
by Elizabeth Thoms Charles
Maria Sophia Louisa Soufflé
Won’t take a bath.
No. No. I won’t.
I’ll deflate. I’ll collapse.
I’ll shrink to nothing.
There’s dirt,
There’s grime,
On your fluffy rind.
It’s weighing you down.
A quick rinse.
A blow dry.
Maria Sophia Louisa Soufflé
Inflates and rises
Higher than before.
I love that you took giving a souffle a bath literally, Elizabeth! I think Maria Sophia was well within her rights having some trepidation! 😊
Oh my goodness, I love this challenge! Thanks for bringing it back, Susanna!!
WEEK 1
Maria Sophia Luisa Souffle // will not!
By Sara Kruger
Maria Sophia Luisa Souffle
Will not do the chore her mom gave her today.
She tidies her room and then vacuums the rugs
Wipes all the baseboards (discarding the bugs).
She scrubs every toilet and cleans every sink.
She even bathes Fido—and, boy, does he stink!
Looking around (but avoiding *that* shelf),
She wonders, “What else can I clean by myself?”
“Luisa!” says mom, (her kind face getting red)
I never intended you make your own bed
Or wipe all the baseboards or vacuum the rugs
(although it is nice you got rid of the bugs).
I had just the one task for you; how I wish
You’d focus on cleaning the tank for the fish!”
Love this, Sara! Isn’t it so like all of us to find every possible task – even if we make more work for ourselves – to avoid doing the thing we don’t want to do?! 🤣
This is so much fun, Sara!
GIRAFFE AND THE LOST LIBRARY BOOK
By Angel Gantnier
“Today is Library Day!” announced Giraffe, jumping up and down.
“I get to bring home a new library book. But first, I have to bring back the library book I borrowed last week.”
Giraffe grabbed his backpack and skipped to his room.
He checked his desk. No book. He checked his bed. No book. He checked his toy box. No book.
“Uh, oh,” he sighed.
Giraffe strolled outside.
He checked the sandbox. No book. He checked the swing set. No book.
“I lost the library book!” gasped Giraffe.
He climbed up to the treehouse.
“There you are,” said Giraffe.
“Here I am,” whispered the library book.
Oh, the anxiety of losing a library book! I love that Giraffe reads in so many places he had to look all over! And I love that the library book whispers, Angel – so perfect! 😊
Thanks, Susanna!
Here’s mine:
Geraldine Giraffe heard giraffes’ necks stretch when giraffes tell a lie. Geraldine tried it.
“Did you drink the water?” asked Mom.
“No, Mom.” Geraldine’s neck stretched. She could eat leaves in taller trees.
“Did you eat the leaves?”
“No, Mom.” Geraldine’s neck stretched. She could see the lions further away.
“Did you run away from the lions, leaving me behind?”
“No, Mom.” Her neck stretched. She sobbed. Geraldine felt bad, and her neck hurt.
“Mom, I ran away. I ate the leaves. I drank the water.” Her neck shrank to normal.
“I’m glad I’m back to regular me!” said Geraldine.
I love this twist on Pinocchio, Linda – that there might actually be benefits to the stretching caused by lying! But ultimately, of course, it is better to tell the truth and be ourselves 😊
It’s not an easy topic to write about, but ultimately, yes, telling the truth is best.
T. REX WILL NOT
by Debbie J. Arnn
“I will not!” said Tyler Rex Gimble. “No plants!”
“They’re nutritious,” said Mama.
“Yeah, maybe for ants.”
“I’m supposed to eat meat, Mom. Can I have a steak?”
“Impossible Burger?”
“No, that’s a mistake!”
“No broccoli for me.” T. Rex started to roar.
Cheese sauce. What’s that? Mama began to pour.
Cheese sauce on broccoli? An interesting thought.
T. Rex picked up his fork. Will he eat it…or not?
At first, T. Rex sniffed it. It didn’t smell bad.
One taste and he thought it the best ever had!
T. Rex was stubborn. That’s certain to say.
But Mama’s determined and she found a way.
Ah! The old “cheese sauce on the broccoli” trick! Mamas have been pulling that one for years 😊 It’s right up there with “dip it in ketchup” 😊 Fun story, Debbie!
Cap’n Dreadful was the most feared pirate on the seas.
It wasn’t his bad temper, his smelly beard, or his sharp hook.
It was even worse than all of that.
Instead of blueberries or chocolate chips, Cap’n Dreadful put pepper on his pancakes!
His gruesome breakfast habits had run off every pirate in the land, so when Red Beard Rat walked up his gangplank, the Cap’n was shocked.
But before they could set sail, he would have to pass the test.
Cap’n flipped a pancake onto Red’s plate, smothered it with syrup… then reached for the pepper.
Red held up a paw, pulled out a bottle of Tabasco sauce, gave it several shakes, then took a hearty bite.
“Arrrgh!” Declared the Cap’n. “You’re hired!”
(Thank you Susanna! I went over but it was fun!)
Very entertaining, Lindsey! Gotta love a pirate who can out-pepper another pirate’s pancakes 😊 And no problem going over! The 100 words is just so it doesn’t feel overwhelming 😊 (Although truthfully, I think fewer words is actually harder!)
Thank you, Susanna. This was such fun to take a break & play with a new character.
Pickles Pilfered a Pie (or several)
98 words
At midnight, Pickles pilfered Cinderella’s Shoofly Pie from the castle steps.
Around the corner, Pickles pilfered Little Jack Horner’s Plum Pie.
Dangling from a spiderweb, Pickles pilfered Little Miss Muffet’s Lemon Curd Pie.
With no strings attached, Pickles pilfered Pinocchio’s Pizza Pie.
Pickles pilfered Peter Piper’s Three-Pepper Pie in a peck-sized basket.
Skipping the Coronation Quiche, Pickles pilfered a Pie filled with Four-and-Twenty Blackbirds from the newly-crowned King.
Then what did cheeky Pickles do?
She invited everyone to Old Mother Hubbard’s Pie and Tarte Shoppe to purchase wares from no-longer-bare cupboards. And then Pickles bought herself a bone.
Hahaha! Love this, Patricia! That clever Pickles was playing the long game!!! 🤣
I love how you were able to incorporate so many Nursery Rhymes! 🙂
Little T-Rex Tells a Lie
by Haley Hendrickson
Little T-Rex is helping her Daddy bake brownies for Mama as a special Mother’s Day treat.
Little T is a great helper and after the pan is ready to go in the oven, Daddy even lets her lick the spoon.
When the brownies are done, she is so excited to try a bite but Daddy tells her they must wait for Mama. Little T-Rex does not want to wait. The brownies smell soooooo good!
Little T-Rex wonders if anyone would notice if she tries just a nibble…
When Mama gets home, Little T proudly carries the tasty treat out to Mama.
“Oh my, those look delicious!” Mama says. “Do they taste good too?”
“I don’t know yet Mama, I waited for you to try one”, Little T tries to look innocent.
“Did you?” asks Mama
“Did you?” Asks Daddy
“Yes!” says Little T-Rex… and then she notices her reflection in the hallway mirror.
The chocolate-y evidence was all over her face and Little T-Rex knew she was caught in her lie.
She hung her head, “I’m sorry I lied and I’m sorry I didn’t wait for you to try the brownies.”
Mama and Daddy hugged her tight.
“We forgive you.” Mama said.
“And we love you.” Daddy says
Little T-Rex went to bed without any more treats and a promise to herself that she would be more truthful from now on.
Poor Little T! It is SO hard to wait for brownies! They smell SO good! And it IS important to make sure they came out right before presenting them to Mama… Love your very sympathetic character, Haley, and the important lesson she learns!
Lesson learned…but who can resist anything chocolate! 🙂
POSTED FOR KELLY
Little Red
Kelly Kates
Little Red will not change her clothes. She wears her red cloak everywhere. Every day! To school, gymnastics and even to bed. After that incident with the big bad wolf, it’s how everybody recognizes her.
Her mom tried to get her a new cloak–just so she could have a chance to wash the other–but they were all wrong. Too stiff! Too scratchy! Too shiny!
Finally, the cloak was looking more gray than red. And people didn’t want to stand too close to her.
Little Red couldn’t understand why people were avoiding her. Wasn’t she famous?
And then she met Little Boy Blue . . . .
As the mom of a daughter who insisted on wearing the exact same t-shirt and pair of sweatpants every day for 6 months (she could tell if I replaced them with imposters even if they looked exactly the same, but thankfully I WAS permitted to wash them!) I can totally relate to Little Red and her mom! And I love the ambiguity of the ending… did Little Boy Blue have the same predilection for wearing the same clothes without washing as Little Red did? Or did Little Boy Blue inspire Little Red to try a new color? Who can tell? 😊
Great ending! 🙂
Pickles the Prankster
By Sarah Meade
Maybe you think my brother Pickles is sweet because he gets good grades and uses fancy manners at school.
But I know what he’s REALLY like.
A prankster.
On Sunday, Pickles put PEPPER in my pancakes!
On Monday, he switched my apple juice with apple cider VINEGAR!
On Tuesday, he hid HALF my shoes. All the left ones!
On Wednesday, Pickles pilfered my chocolate cream PIE!
On Thursday, he returned my library books— and I hadn’t even READ THEM YET!
On Friday, Pickles super-glued my slippers to the carpet. I SLIPPED trying to put them on!
Now it’s Saturday, and I’m hiding in my room until Pickles leaves for soccer practice.
I’m NOT going to take all HIS left shoes, super-glue HIS sandals, or gobble all HIS favorite desserts.
Instead, I WILL pilfer his beloved PRANK BOOK.
Then I’ll get some prank ideas of my OWN! (And hide the book afterward!)
NEXT week Pickles the Prankster Purcell won’t know what hit him!
What fabulous pranks! Love it!
Fun story, Sarah! 🙂
That Pickles is serious trouble, Sarah! But it sounds like pranking runs in the family 😊
What goes around comes around!
Lovely story. Sibling shenanigans.
Anjali
Timothy T. Rex
By Susan E. Schipper
Timothy T. Rex was in a horrible mood. Everything he tried to do, did not work.
“My arms are too short, I can’t reach the paint,” he cried. “I need a plan!” T said.
He pushed a chair close to the shelf. Success! T held the paint tray with his strong jaws.
No time for splashes or spills. “Oh no, my paints are tipping, ready to tumble!” T thought quickly. He used his strong tail for balance.
Time was running out. T had to finish his project.
“I will not give up,” T sighed.
T had completed his painting, just in time.
“Happy Mother’s Day, Mom,” Timothy T. Rex exclaimed!
Back Matter
A T Rex arms were small compared to his body.
The T Rex had very strong jaws.
T Rex used his tail to balance.
T Rex was clever and had a big brain. Although their brain was half the size of a human brain!
Fun AND educational, Susan! And you got Mother’s Day in there too! 😊
Love how hard he worked to make his Mother’s Day painting. So cute.
Tricera-CHOPS
By Bri Lawyer
T. Rex will not eat the three triceratops in the field. No matter how delicious they look. No matter how much his mouth waters. He will be stong!
Chomp
T. Rex will not eat the two triceratops left in the field. No matter how much his stomach growls. No matter how tasty they smell. He can do this!
Gulp
T. Rex will not eat the one triceratops left in the field. No matter how hungry he is. No matter how much he wants to. He has self control!
Nom Nom Nom
He gave it a good effort, but couldn’t resist tricera-CHOPS after all.
A terrific title and cute story, Bri!
Thank you so much! 😀
Hahaha! T. Rex is a model of self-control! Love the title and the story, Bri!
Right?! We could all learn a lot about self control from him, haha! 🤪
Giraffe Needs a Bath
by Stephanie Maksymiw
What’s tall and yellow and covered in spots?
A giant old banana?
Nope! It’s a giraffe.
Come on out Giraffe.
“No.”
Come on, don’t be shy.
“Fine…ta da!”
Giraffe, where are your spots?
“They’re right here…GASP! Where are they?”
Were you making mud pies again? You’re in need of a bath.
“NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!”
Giraffe, come back here.
“I don’t wanna take a bath.”
Why not? Baths are so much fun. You sit in a tub and get all nice and clean.
“That’s the problem.”
The tub? What’s wrong with this tub. This teeny, tiny tub.
Hmmmm.
How about a shower instead?
Such a dilemma for poor giraffe! I love the back and forth dialogue–so realistic. Great job, Stephanie!
Very cute, Stephanie! When I was thinking up the prompt, I had the same idea about trying to fit a giraffe into a bathtub! 😊 I’m glad someone did it 😊
Pickles is Bored
By Ben Jeder
I’m Pickles, a cucumber.
I appear calm and cool.
Deep down, though, I long for excitement.
We cucumbers are social and outgoing.
So it’s super tragic I’m here. The only cucumber in the garden.
I’m. So. Bored!
Sandwiched between broccoli and carrots… it’s snore city.
No rumors. No gossip. No drama.
Nobody’s interesting enough for a captivating cuke like me.
Peas? Bland. Potatoes? Uninspired. Tomatoes? Tiresome.
There’s watermelon. We’re both bold, beautiful, and green.
Perhaps they’re worthy of my friendship.
“No thanks. Your attitude’s rotten,” explained watermelon.
I have an attitude?
“YES!” shouted the other veggies.
That explains everything.
Love the voice in this one! And who can resist talking vegetables? Well done, Ben!
What a character your cucumber is, Ben! Jill is right – great voice! Favorite line: “So it’s super tragic I’m here” 😊 Love the ending 😊
What a great jumping off point: cool as a cucumber! You’ve created his character well!
Well, I’m not sure this is ready for prime time but it sure was a fun exercise to get the creative juices flowing! Thanks, Susanna!
PILFERING PICKLES AND PETER
by Jen Bagan
Pickles Piper and his brother, Peter, were raised by thieves.
From an early age, they learned to steal, swipe and swindle.
Over time, Pickles and Peter discovered penchants for particular possessions.
Pickles preferred pilfering pies. Peter preferred pilfering peppers.
Soon, their lair was so packed with pinched products places to sit were scarce!
“We must preserve our provisions!” said Pickles.
Peter agreed, and pocketed some vinegar.
Pickles and Peter placed the pies and peppers into pots of pungent brine.
“This pumpkin pie is putrid!” sputtered Pickles.
“This pepperoncini is perfect!” cried Peter.
The peppers tasted so pleasant, the brothers gave up their pilfering ways and partnered on a successful business – “Pickles’ and Peter’s Pickled Peppers.”
Love this tongue twister, Jen! So clever!
So clever and fun, Jen – seriously tongue-twistery! 😊
What a fun read and tongue-twisty turn on Peter Piper!
What a fun read and a tongue-twisty turn on Peter Piper!
Such a fun idea. I just pounded this out but I figured we are not being judged so…here you go 🙂 Thanks for getting our creative juices flowing!
T-Rex Pilfers a Pie
By Ryann Jones
(WC 63)
Ooooh, a pie!
Cretaceous berry pie.
Must have or I will die.
How to grab it?
Arms too short.
Pilfering
Becomes a sport.
Whack with tail?
Won’t end well.
How to nab it?
I can’t tell.
Steal with snout?
Room to doubt.
Need to go
Another route.
Pointed toes?
Don’t have those.
Well . . . I suppose . . .
I could just scarf it up!
CHOMP!
YUM!
When in doubt, use your snout to munch so you don’t go without! Very cute, Ryann 😊 And isn’t it fun not to be judged? 😊
I think this contest is my favorite, Susanna. Thank you for doing it again!
T-Rex’s Tall Tale (120 words)
By Jill Lambert
“The sky is falling!” T-Rex roared. “What landed on my head?”
Spinosaurus shook her tail and sneered at what he said.
“Why on earth would you pretend our planet’s at its end?
That’s a pebble, not the sky, my foolish fibber friend!”
T-Rex kept insisting that his warning was the truth.
“Look up, Spiny, close your mouth or you could lose a tooth.”
Spinosaurus squinted as she faced the blazing sun.
“Is that a great big boulder on its way? We’d better run!”
“Ahhh! It’s a disasteroid!” the dino duo cried.
A gooey gluey egg exploded, SPLAT, upon each hide.
Pteranodon had hoped to build a nest by Mother’s Day,
but eager egg refused to wait and shouted, “Bomb’s away!”
Hahaha! What an unexpected missile, Jill! 🤣 Nicely written!
Thank you, Susanna. The egg part came to me out of nowhere! 😉
Haha – too cute!
Thank you, Jen!
haha! Great job, Jill!!! I love the nod to ‘Henny Penny’ dinosaur-style!
Thanks, Michelle! I had fun with it!
So funny, Jill! I like how they didn’t believe him and the twist at the end.
Thanks so much, Ashley! You’re the best!
Thanks you, Ashley! I’m glad you liked it!
Here is my week of May 8 post.
WHERE’S MY LIBRARY BOOK?
When T-Rex Dragon was upset, he stomped his big back feet and blew flames. Tonight T-Rex Dragon was upset because he lost his library book.
He checked the kitchen. No luck. T-Rex Dragon breathed out fiery flames. They baked the cookies, that were ready to go in the oven. They turned a beautiful golden brown.
He checked outside. No luck. He breathed out flames. They burned a pile of leaves his dad raked up.
When T-Rex Dragon returned to his room, he noticed a pile of crumpled and discarded papers. He made that mess while writing and revising his poem about mice. T-Rex Dragon breathed out a blast of air that lifted the papers. Next, he breathed flames and burned the papers in the air.
The ashes fell down on … HIS LIBRARY BOOK! He roared with happiness and blew the ashes out the window. T-Rex Dragon grabbed his lost library book and climbed into bed.
T-Rex Dragon read about Snuggle Bunny whose mother read to him. As she read to him, Snuggle Bunny got sleepy and sleepier, and then he fell asleep. … So did T-Rex Dragon.
How nice that in his search he baked a lovely batch of cookies, took care of his dad’s leaf pile, and tidied up his desk, Ellie! I bet he barely needed Snuggle Bunny after that busy day! 😊
Thanks Susanna!
Do Not Feed the Fish
b Dianne Borowski
Pickles is a pest. He will not stop feeding Mrs. Potts fish. Mrs. Potts has a pond in her yard with three large gold fish in it. Pickles loves the gold fish. He loves to feed the goldfish pieces of bread. Mrs. Potts does not want anyone to feed the fish. She will feed them, not Pickles. “I will not stop feeding the fish. They are hungry, “said Pickles. Pickles doesn’t listen. Mom gives Pickles extra chores to do when he doesn’t listen.
One day mom came home with three tiny gold fish in a bowl. “These are your fish Pickles,” Mom said. Pickles is so happy! He even carries the bowl over to Mrs. Potts yard to visit her fish. Mrs. Potts gives Pickles milk and cookies and they both watch the fish swim. Everyone is happy now.
Cute, Dianne! Sounds like Pickles just needed someone to love 😊
KING TOMMY T-REX
by Lyn Jekowsky
King Tommy T-Rex is a ferocious ruler. Sam Stegosaurus and Bill Brontosaurus, his knights, help keep the kingdom proper.
Tommy’s quirk: he refuses to bathe, or brush his long dingey fangs. He believes carrying the extra weight of dirt and debris adds to his strength.
His factions begin to shun him, pinch their nostrils together, and break kingdom rules. Tommy asks his knights for help.
Sam and Bill, coughing and holding their noses, advise him that he must bathe to gain respect and rule with clout.
Tommy takes a bath, scrubs his nails and scales, washing his harshness away. He becomes a good-humored ruler.
It’s a fine line, isn’t it, Lyn, between exuding an air of toughness and exuding air that’s tough on everyone! 🤣
Julianna Kurtz PBFiction 99 words
Maria Sophia Louisa Souffle
MARIA SOPHIA LOUISA SOUFFLE
Will not
Clean up her toys unless her mom screams her full name.
MARIA SOPHIA LOUISA SOUFFLE
Will not
Ungunk Splashy’s fish bowl unless her dad shouts her full name.
MARIA SOPHIA LOUISA SOUFFLE
Will not
Give back the tv remote unless her brother yells her full name.
MARIA SOPHIA LOUISA SOUFFLE
Will not
Go anywhere in the neighborhood where they don’t already know her full name.
MARIA SOPHIA LOUISA SOUFFLE is not really a naughty girl.
She just will not have her name said any other way!
Delightful, Julianna! I mean, when you’ve got a name like that, you kind of have to say the whole thing! 😊
What a fun challenge! Just whipped something up, inspired by the prompt words!
Harold T-Rex Must Tell the Truth
Harold T-Rex must tell the truth—
for if he doesn’t, he might lose a tooth!
Or maybe his tail will turn red or blue.
Or what if his snot turns into glue?
‘Cause the last time Harold had told a lie,
his arms shrunk, which made him cry!
Harold now knows better than to let fibs slip.
He openly admits his faults and his trips.
A lost library book? His mom’s broken vase?
Whatever the problem, he wears a brave face.
Until one day he thinks of a brilliant idea—
he could hint that it wasn’t him, but his little sis, Thea!
A pilfered pie and pepper on pancakes?
Harold left fake clues to prove Thea’s mistakes.
He sighed with relief. No more getting in trouble!
‘Til the next morning…
…he woke up stuck in a bubble!
Oh, Harold! Apparently you have to learn everything the hard way 🤣 Very fun, Jessica!
PICKLES AND PALS HAVE A PICNIC
BY DEBORAH ISHII
100 WORDS
Pickles pilfered a pie,
Mindy mooched muffins,
Sammy snatched sandwiches,
And Betty borrowed a basket.
Ready!
Set!
Let’s go!
It’s picnic time!
Down the driveway,
Across the avenue,
Stand near the stop sign,
Board the bus!
Parade into the park,
Settle under the sycamore tree,
Gaze at the greenery,
Lay out the luscious lunch.
But, they
Pilfered!
Mooched!
Snatched!
Borrowed!
Feeling guilty,
They looked around
And quickly found
Others to share
Their picnic!
Pickles passed around pieces of peach pie,
Mindy measured out marvellous mouthfuls of muffins,
Sammy sliced up slivers of succulent sandwiches,
And Betty blessed their beautiful bounty.
Oh, that guilt when you know you’ve done something wrong! I’m glad the light-fingered crew found a way to share, Deborah!
Week 1: Leave the Cake, Take the Wolf Repellent
By Julie Hauswirth
Little Red // Will not!
Today, Little Red Riding Hood will visit her grandmother to bring—
“I will not.”
Excuse me?
“I’m not going anywhere. Haven’t you heard? There’s a WOLF out there!”
We heard. You’re going to leave your poor grandmother to fend for herself?
“Okay, I’ll go! But I’m riding my bike, not walking.”
Good girl. As I was saying, Little red will bring her grandmother cake and—
“I will not.”
I beg your pardon?
“This is a WOLF we’re talking about. He’s hungry. She needs protection, not cake!”
Fine. Leave the cake. Take the wolf repellent.
“I will not. I’m starving.”
You could have just asked nicely for a piece.
“No time! I’ve got a grandmother to rescue!”
You go, girl.
I love this smart, determined version of Red, Julie! What a fun twist on the original! 😊
Thanks, Susanna! This was so fun. Can’t wait for next week’s prompts!
Week 1
Pie, Please!
Elyse Trevers
Please pleaded Pickles
Just a piece, a particle…
Penny paused in her pie preparations to parry.
Though you are plucky and persuasive,
It’s pointless to persist.
This plum pie has a purpose.
It’s a present for the Prince.
So perhaps partake in peaches, passionfruit or papaya.
But Pickles pressed on.
I’ve a predilection.
I’m partial to plum’s purple piquancy.
I’ve a particularly peculiar palate and only plum pie will please me.
Penny placed the pie atop a paper plate and proceeded to her power nap, returning to find an empty pan.
A perplexing puzzle?
Or perhaps
Pickles pilfered the pie .
Awesome alliteration, Elyse! Pickles pilfering the pie is pretty plausible! 😊
Perfectly prodigious piece of alliteration!
Alluring Alliteration Aleviates this person’s pie passion! Delicious story and please pardon Pickles pilfering!
Very pretty prose! Love the alliteration.
Little Red is bored. It was actually exciting to be gobbled up by that wolf and chopped out to the light of day. Even better than the time she snuck into the bear den just as spring was starting. Ah….the memories. Those sweet cubs to snuggle, the soothing snores of the mama. Leaving just before they woke, starving after their winter hibernation, no one ever knew about that adventure. Although her mama did think she smelled a bit odd.
Nothing like a taste of excitement to whet your appetite for more! Nice spin on Little Red, Suzy!
POSTED FOR LESLIE
With a name like Capt’n Dreadful, this had to be a pirate story! A few nautical terms are in order-just in case…
*The doldrums are an area in the ocean where there is no wind to fill the sails of a ship.
* The crow’s nest is a lookout built at the top of the main mast.
CAPT’N DREADFUL BEATS THE DOLDRUMS*
Leslie Degnan
Capt’n Dreadful and Pirate Pete
Did nothing else, except compete.
Every single doggone day
They dragged us all into the fray.
Who could tell the biggest lie?
Use one hand to catch a fly?
Fastest up the tall *crow’s nest?
Beat the *doldrums first and best?
Dreadful said, “It’s time my men,
To get the wind back up again.
But first I think we all must eat.
Pancakes cook! And make them sweet!”
Capt’n Dreadful had a plan,
He slipped hot peppers in the pan.
Soon the crew began to sneeze.
“ACHOO!” “ACHOO!” At last! A breeze!
Hahaha! Very creative, Leslie! Love the ending! And well written! 😊
Consequences for Whom?
by Colleen Murphy
Ever since the incident, poor Little Red is bored.
She’s not allowed to leave the house; no woods can be explored.
On top of that, now Grandma shares a room with her as well.
Too traumatized to be alone for more than just a spell.
So, Little Red, at first, decides she wants to learn to bake.
But all her kitchen chaos is too much for Mom to take.
Her next attempt’s with painting, but her apples look like balls.
with much less paint on paper than there is on floors and walls!
Still longing for adventure, Little Red designs a test:
baking soda, baking powder–which one rises best?
With each inside a tissue, she inserts them in a blend
of vinegar and water…a disaster in the end!
Although it takes a couple of days to clean up all her mess,
her mom insists she play outside. The project’s a success!
This is fabulous, Colleen! A whole story, so entertaining, in great rhyme! Fun! 😊
Thanks for the inspiration! And, thank you.
An interesting continuation of Little Red Riding Hood…with an all too familiar chemistry experiment of volcanic proportions! This is awesome, Colleen!
Thank you Jill. It was fun to imagine.
This is fabulous fun, Colleen!!!
Thanks Michelle!
T-Rex
will not!
tells a lie
pilfers a pie
T-Rex Will Not Tell One More Lie!
by Ashley Sierra
112 words
“Fly, you pilfered a pie!”
“Don’t tell anyone, T-Rex! Be quiet!”
“I will not lie!”
“Why? It’s just this one time.”
“That’s what you said about the hot dogs on the Fourth of July.
That picnic with Reuben’s made with slices of rye.
And the little girl’s cheesy ranch fries. Buy the food that you try, instead of making me lie. It makes me want to cry because I’m a good guy. I think it’s time for this friendship to say . . . goodbye.”
“Wow, Rex. Don’t cry. I’m sorry that I made you lie. From now on, I will buy what I try. Let’s give this friendship a retry. How about some Thai?”
Ashley, oh my! You sure exemplify ninja-like skill in rhyme in this one! You made me cry with laughter by the end, I can’t deny. So creative, as always!
Thanks for reading, Jill! The no “rules” for this challenge make it fun and freeing to be playful with words.
Cap’n Dreadful vs. The Bath
B: Katie McEnaney
111 words
Meow and avast, ye scoundrels!
‘Tis I, Cap’n Dreadful.
I’ve sailed the Seven Pillowed Seas and circumnavigated my claws across the Couch of Destiny.
Today I face my greatest challenge:
The deep and boundless depths of the Great, Blue Bathtub.
What say you?
No, I will not be lured by your promises of treats and bellyrubs.
I know the doom that awaits those who venture into the briny blue.
Cap’n Fluffpants has ne’er recovered her floof and flounce,
And Cap’n Purrbox remains lodged behind the bed to this day.
You will never take me alive!
What’s that?
A light?
A tiny, flashy, crashy light?
You’re mine, scallyw-SPLASH!
Alas! I’ve walked the plank.
Better late than never! I couldn’t resist the name. Suzanna, thank you for putting these challenges together again. They are so much fun and inspiring!!
Cap’n Dreadful will NOT
By Marta Cutler
(72 words)
Cap’n Dreadful will NOT….
Slow down.
Sit still.
Pay attention.
Share his toys.
Have a nap.
Be quiet.
Brush his teeth.
Take a bath.
Go to bed.
Or sleep in.
But Cap’n Dreadful will….
Race you in the park.
Play chase.
Lose at tug of war.
Go on treasure hunts.
Lick your face.
Eat your broccoli.
Wag his tail.
Roll over.
Keep you warm.
Snuggle in bed.
And keep the monsters away at night.
OH, this is great!
POSTED FOR DAWN
NO BATH FOR TINY T-REX
WC-116
t-rex / won’t take a bath
Tiny T-rex loved to play in the dirt, make mud pies, and roll in the grass.
But, he didn’t like taking baths!
Mama tried putting bubbles in the lake.
“Soap gets in my eyes,” he cried.
Papa tried putting Tiny T-rex on his back to baith.
“I don’t like water in my ears.”
Nothing worked …
Until Tiny T-rex saw his friends, Tinker and Tootsie T-rex, swim all around the lake.
Feeling brave Tiny T-rex dipped his toes into the water. Wading up to his neck,
he kicked his feet and took off like a bolt of lightning.
From that day on, Tiny T-rex joined his friends for a swim, but he still didn’t like
baths.
So cute, Dawn! I love the names Tinker and Tootsie for Tiny’s friends. And bath time can be a trial for some young readers, so this would resonate with them.
POSTED FOR TIFFANY
Little Red Puts Pepper in the Pancakes
By Tiffany Hanson (93 Words)
Welcome all wolves, lone, Big Bad, or pack,
To Grandma and Little Red’s Bed, Bath and Shack.
The pancakes are extra peppery to make you sneeze,
So you can huff, puff, and blow down a house like a breeze.
The blankets are soft to help you sleep,
Perfect for counting or dreaming of sheep.
Or if you’re awake and just feel like a howl,
Our grounds are great for a moonlight prowl.
The price is to die for, we couldn’t be blunter,
Just remember before you go to pay our cashier—the hunter.
This is late and written very quickly, but I am happy for the challenge! (and happy it is not judged.)
CAP’N DREADFUL WILL NOT TAKE A BATH
By Jenna Elyse Johnson
Shiver me timbers!
Hide the lads!
Batten down the hatches!
Here comes Cap’n Dreadful…
and he’s in need of a bath.
Cap’n Dreadful’s so filthy.
All covered in grime.
He’s worked up a sweat.
Really quite a stench.
Wow, what a reek!
Has he got scurvy?
Grab the booty and hide!
Avast ye, I have an idea.
He’ll take a bath, if we can lure him in.
You do the tail.
I’ll do the sequins.
Don’t forget the hair!
“Hey Cap’n! We caught a mermaid!”
At lass, Cap’n Delightful is back.
It is NOT late, Jenna! 😊 The posts go up each week, but you don’t have to do them on time or in order, you just have to get all 7 done and posted by June 25th if you want to qualify for a prize 😊 What a clever ruse to get that stinky Cap’n into the water, and love the switch to Delightful 😊
Yay, Jenna! Glad you joined in on the fun!!!
Here’s one for Week #1
Little Red Relaxes
The next summer,
Little Red did not scratch in the dirt
and plant the seeds.
Did not water or weed the sprouts
and watch them grow.
Did not harvest the wheat
and grind it to flour.
Did not mix the batter
and bake a cake.
Instead, Little Red snoozed in the sun,
woke at noon,
stretched her toes,
fluffed her feathers,
strutted past the garden
straight to the farmhouse,
where she pilfered the pie left on the porch
(for the cat, the dog, and the mouse),
and ate it all by herself.
Hahaha! Good for Little Red, Marie! I love this twist and the use of the prompt! Very fun!
Oops, forgot my full name for Little Red Relaxes – Marie Prins, 95 words
Little Red and the Peppered Pancakes.
By Lisa M. Horn
“Granny’s gonna love this. “Little Red said. She packed a basket of pancakes, pineapple, and pastries. A wolf followed her.
“What’s in your basket?” Wolf asked.
“I don’t talk to strange wolves.” Little Red answered. She walked faster. Wolf followed. She raced to Granny’s door.
“A wolf followed me,” Little Red gasped.
“Don’t worry. Let’s eat,” Granny said showing big teeth.
That’s not Granny, thought Little Red.
“How about pancakes?” Little Red said. She put lots of pepper in them.
Wolf choked and ran off.
“Thank you!” Granny hugged Little Red.
“Let’s eat the pineapples and pastries.” Little Red chuckled. “No pepper.”
Giraffe Won’t Take a Bath
By Marta Cutler
(89 words)
Giraffe won’t take a bath.
It’s difficult you see
To find a tub that has the room
For one as tall as he.
Giraffe won’t take a bath.
How can he wash his hair?
Perhaps a ladder, one or two
Would get the soap up there?
Giraffe won’t take a bath
The brush is far too meek
Why scrubbing every inch of hide
Would take at least a week!
Giraffe won’t take a bath
Perhaps another day?
For now, his friends are calling
Must run, he’s off to play.
This is adorable! I love giraffes and this made me smile. 😀
Thanks so much Michelle!
Maria Sophia Louisa Soufflé does not like her name
By Jen Lee (101 words)
Maria Sophia Louisa Soufflé does not like her name
It’s too long,
too fancy,
too much!
She really doesn’t like it when her parents say it.
So, when Maria Sophia Louisa Soufflé goes to camp, she tells a little fib. She says “Hi, my name is Mary”. Simple, normal and much shorter than Maria Sophia Louisa Soufflé. It isn’t really a lie.
Mary has fun doing this
Mary has fun doing that
Mary is not perfect!
All summer long…until “Visitor Day”.
“Maria Sophia Louisa Soufflé!” Her parents say.
The counselor says “who?”.
Her friends say “who?”.
Mary says “I think they mean me, but my name is Mary.”
And it is.
Haha! Too cute!