⭐️Deck the Halls! ⭐️ Light the menorah! ⭐️ Fill the Kikombe cha Umoja! ⭐️
It’s time for the . . .
13th Annual Holiday Writing Contest
~ for children’s writers ~
The Contest: Write a maximum 250-word children’s holiday story (children here defined as age 12 and under) about a Holiday Countdown!
- The countdown can cause emotion – anticipation, excitement, confusion, worry, dread or anything else
- Anything and everything can be counted down:
- – months, weeks, days, hours, minutes, seconds
- – people, animals, gifts, snowmen, fruitcakes, Christmas trees, candles, stars
- – things being hidden, wrapped, baked, purchased, handmade, eaten
- – people, animals, or items disappearing or being “picked off” one by one. . .
- – Think 5 little monkeys jumping on the bed, or 10 in the bed, or 3 wisemen, or 8 candles, or 8 reindeer or anything else with numbers for countdown inspiration.
- Anything goes – the more imaginative the better! 😊
Your story may be poetry or prose, silly or serious or sweet, religious or not, based on Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Winter Solstice, New Year’s or whatever you celebrate during the Holiday Season, but is not to exceed 250 words (I know! So much freedom after the Halloweensie Contest 😊 ) (It can be as short as you like (the judges will be grateful 😊 , you are welcome and encouraged to write shorter, but no more than 250! Title not included in word count.) The field is wide open! Have fun! The more creative the better! No illustration notes please. (And yes, if you feel compelled to submit more than one entry you may, just remember you’re competing against yourself!)
Post: Your entry should be posted between right now this very second and Friday December 8th at 11:59 PM EST, and must be posted in the comment section of THIS POST and include title, byline, and word count. This post will remain up for your reading pleasure until I post the finalists. There will be no regular posts (Tuesday Debut or Perfect Picture Book) for the duration of the contest, so everyone will have plenty of time to visit and enjoy all the entries. If you have trouble commenting, you can email your entry to me (using the handy Contact button in the menu bar above or at susanna[at]susannahill[dot]com) and I will post it for you. Please copy and paste your entry with word count and byline into the body of the email – NO ATTACHMENTS please. Please put CONTEST ENTRY in the subject line (the amount of email I get during contests is impressive and it is helpful to be able to see what’s what!)
The Judging: My lovely assistants and I will narrow down the entrants to approximately 12 finalists. Due to the busy-ness of the holiday season, I am not going to hazard a guess as to exactly when the finalists will be posted – they’ll be up as soon as I can get them up!
Judging criteria will be as follows:
- 1. Kid-appeal! – These stories are intended for a young audience (ages 12 and under), so we’re looking for stories that children will enjoy and relate to.
- 2. Holiday Countdown! – the rules state a Holiday Countdown story, so your story must be centered around a countdown of some kind and it must be crystal clear that the story in some way relates to Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Winter Solstice, New Year’s, or whatever seasonal winter holiday you choose. Your countdown must be central to the story – not just an offhand mention/reference in a story about something else.
- 3. Quality of story – entries must tell a story, including a main character of some kind and a true story arc even if it’s tiny 😊 Entries must not be merely descriptions or mood pieces.
- 4. Quality of Writing: check your spelling, grammar, punctuation etc. If you’re going to rhyme, give us your best 😊 Overall writing quality and use of language are also important. Please proofread! A typo may be the difference between being considered and being set aside.
- 5. Originality and creativity – because that is often what sets one story above another. And in a contest of countdowns, you will want yours to stand out from the crowd!
- 6. PLEASE FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS! Large numbers of entries make it easy to cut entries that haven’t been entered as we asked.
The Prizes!: Oh WOW!!! How lucky are we to have such fantastic prizes from such generous kidlit professionals!
⭐️ Ask Me Anything Zoom Picture Book Manuscript Critique from Sandra Foreman Sutter, owner and “top gnome” at Gnome Road Publishing, and author of STAN’S FRIGHTFUL HALLOWEEN (Spork, September 2020) and THE REAL FARMER IN THE DELL (Spork, March 2019)!!! Not only will Sandra read and critique your manuscript, you will get to talk to discuss it with her!
⭐️ Rhyme & Meter Self Study Course – Renee LaTulippe Renée M. LaTulippe is the author of The Crab Ballet (Cameron Kids/Abrams, 2022) and Limelight: Theater Poems to Perform (Charlesbridge, 2024) and has poems published in many anthologies including No World Too Big, Night Wishes, School People, National Geographic’s The Poetry of US, One Minute Till Bedtime, Poems Are Teachers, ThankU: Poems of Gratitude, and A World Full of Poems.
⭐️ Picture Book Manuscript Critique with 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 MERRY CHRISTMAS, DEAR MARS, September 3, 2024 from Macmillan/Godwin Books – a story that placed 2nd in the 2011 Holiday Contest! (How’s that for inspiring?) 😊
⭐️ Winner’s Choice of either a Picture Book Manuscript Critique (750 words or less) OR a signed copy of WINTER: A SOLSTICE STORY (Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books, October 10, 2023) (US addresses only) from author Kelsey Gross. WINTER: A SOLSTICE STORY was inspired by the 2020 Holiday Contest in which the original version of this book, a story entitled The Solstice Tree, placed 6th! (How’s that for more inspiration? 😊)
⭐️ Winner’s Choice of either an Ask Infowoman: A Library Consult 45 min. Zoom session to discuss questions on school visits or review of a school visit presentation (PowerPoint/slide deck) OR A Conference Proposal Consult, Kathy’s brand new service offering advice on writing winning conference proposals for NCTE, TLA, SCBWI, and other educational and library conferences. 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! Please visit her website to see her many, many qualifications!
⭐️ 20 Minute Coaching Session from Kirsti Call, multi-published author, book coach and life coach! Kirsti is the author of SMARTY ANTS, MOOTILDA’S BAD MOOD, THE BIG SCREAM, COW SAYS MEOW, COLD TURKEY, and THE RAINDROP WHO COULDN’T FALL, and she has a depth of knowledge and experience to help you on your writing journey and in your life. Together you can talk about where you are, where you want to be, and how to get you there!
⭐️ Picture Book Manuscript Critique (non-rhyming) from Kari Ann Gonzalez, author of HOW TO HATCH A READER (Gnome Road Publishing, August 15, 2023)
⭐️ Picture Book Manuscript Critique from Laura Jensen Bower, author of THE IMPOSTER (forthcoming from Gnome Road, March 5, 2024) and EMILY SNOOK, THE WORLD’S SMALLEST COOK (forthcoming from Little Gnome, Fall 2024)
⭐️ 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 enlightening!
⭐️ Picture Book Manuscript Critique (non-rhyming) from Danielle Sharkan, author of SHARING SHALOM (forthcoming from Holiday House, Fall 2024) (X (formerly Twitter) @danirae)
⭐️ A Signed Copy of Jilanne Hoffman’s gorgeous A RIVER OF DUST: The Life-Giving Link Between North Africa and the Amazon. Jilanne Hoffman is the author of 2 board books, THE HONEY BEAR HIVE (Mudpuppy January 2023), HAPPY CAMPER (Mudpuppy January 2022), and A RIVER OF DUST (Chronicle Books, July 25, 2023)
PLUS A Copy of ALPHABEDTIME generously gifted by an anonymous donor (Thank you so much! You know who you are 😊❤️)
⭐️ Signed Copy of Winner’s Choice of One of Barb Seregi‘s Picture Books: THE TRUTH ABOUT HAZEL’S COOKIE (Hope Freelancing, November 23, 2017), OLIVER’S RATTLE (Barbara Seregi, October 19, 2022), or TOMMY AND THE GOOD NEWS SHOES (Bowker, October 24, 2023)
PLUS A Signed Copy of Candace Spizzirri‘s delightful FINLEY: A MOOSE ON THE CABOOSE (Gnome Road, April 18, 2023)
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 birthday, holiday or other gift purchases, rating and/or reviewing their books on GoodReads, Amazon, B&N, or anywhere else if you like them, recommending them for school and library visits, and supporting them in any other way you can dream up! 😊
With so many great prizes up for grabs I hope there will be a lot of entries – the more the merrier! And you’ve still got a couple days to write, so you can squeeze in under the wire if you haven’t written yet. Feel free to spread the word to your writing friends as well. And your reading friends – parents, teachers, etc. The more people who read and enjoy your stories, the better!!!
Contest Entrants, remember you MUST post your entry in the comment section below and include title, byline, and word count.
Eager Readers – just go along the list of links below, click on them (they’ll take you directly to whichever story you click on), and enjoy the stories!
So let the Holiday Contest begin!
Happy Writing and Happy Holidays! 😊 ☃️ ✡️ ⭐️ ❄️ 🎄🕯🕎
I can’t wait to read your entries!!!
THE ENTRIES! (Anyone who feels nice can start at the bottom of the list so that the later entries get read too! 😊)
1. Shivering With Excitement – Donna Kurtz
2. My Beastly Christmas – Paul Kurtz
3. Five Twinkling Stars Dancing On A Cloud – Susan Elizabeth Schipper
4. Ten Days For Sun – Vashti Verbowski
5. Juno’s Cookie-Dash – Angela Jelf
6. The Wrong List – Elizabeth Meyer zu Heringdorf
7. A Christmas Eve Countdown – Sue Lancaster
8.
9. Countdown To Joy – Mary Ann Featherston
10. Seeds – Mona Voelkel
11. And Then There Were None – Kelly Kates
12. Sweater Weather Is Better Together – Bridget Magee
13. 12 Nights Of Solstice – Janel Caverly
14. Midnight Kisses – April Berry
15. The Last Christmas Bow – Jodie Houghton
16. Zelda’s Christmas Capers – Kelly Clasen
17. Clues To Find Joy – Glenda Roberson
18. Five Sneaky Peeks – Lynsey Folkman
19. Countdown At The North Pole – Marty Bellis
20. First Minutes Of Christmas – Robin Currie
21. One Magical Christmas – Rose Cappelli
22. Pete’s Lump Of Coal – Michael Flowers
23. Reindeer Countdown – Lyn Jekowsky
24. One, Two, Three. . . Breathe In The Season – Michelle Lee
25. 12 Days Of Giving Back – Bev Baird
26. Counting Down The 8 Nights Of Hanukkah – Denise Seidman
27. The Perfect Tree – Elizabeth Volkmann
28. The Lost Letter – Lindsay Moretti
29. Mittens’ First Christmas – Julie Lerczak
30. Cookies For Santa – Barb Edwards
31. Ogres’ Solstice Snail Cakes – Leslie Degnan
32. Shine For Christ – The Masek Sisters (Jenna & Megan)
33. A Gift For Grandma – Amy Houts
34. Pip And Squeak’s Christmas Candle Countdown: An Advent Story – Stefanie Raszler
35. No Time To Waste – Katie Lee Reinert
36. Always Worth The Wait – Nicole Loos Miller
37. Five Days Till Christmas – Linda Staszak
38. On Christmas, We Skate – Jessica Russo
39. Jojo’s Fruitcake – Kristen Littlefield
40. Thanks Giving – Shariffa Keshavjee
41. Five Glass Angels – Laura Badami
42. Five Little Carolers – Sarah Meade
43. The Rockin’ Reindeer Show – Sarah Meade
44. Santa’s Reindeer Countdown – Carla Gullett
45. Final Five – Brenda Covert
46. Operation: Santa Trap – Tyler Ham
47. Until Then. . . – Reed Hilton-Eddy
48. Holiday Play – Tamara Gallagher
49. The First Christmas In Space – Dr. Anne Lipton
50. Christmas Countdown – Lori Himmel
51. A Very Special Advent Calendar – Jamie Donahoe
52. Ten Santa Cookies – Sharon Jackson
53. Countdown To Bethlehem – Nicole Frees
54. The Reindeers Day In The Toy Shop – Angel Gantnier
55. 10 Frozen Elves – Marta Cutler
56. Sprinkle’s Cookie Countdown – Daniella Kaufman
57. 10 Days Until Christmas – Leana Lee
58. Christmas In The Forest – Janet A. Bryce
59. Kitten’s First Christmas – Maura Lance
60.
61. The Christmas Rush – Jany Campana
62. Five Little Children – Maura Lance
63. Rudolph The Red Nosed Rhino – Kellie Tune
64. Holidays Countdown – Isabel Cruz Rodriguez
65. Cookie Contest Countdown – Jessie Raspbury
66. New Year’s Countdown – Jenna Daucunas
67. Willa Wonders Why – Karen Shakman
68. Duck Clark’s Quacking New Year’s Eve – Jim Chaize
69. ‘Twas The Night Before Bunny Christmas – Marta Cutler
70. The 12 YAYs Of Christmas – Ryann Jones
71. Slurpy Sam And The Slimy Slugs – Laura DeGrave
72. The Never-Ending Christmas Song – Sheri Bentley
73. The Just-Right Christmas Tree – Jessica Iwanski
74. And Now There Are None: A Tale Of Ten Christmas Ornaments – Jessica Iwanski
75. Eight Little Reindeer – Katrina Swenson
76. The Twelve Stops Till Grandma’s – Jill Dowmbrowski
77. Tiptoes – Helen Hauser
78. The Christmas House – Heather C. Morris
79. Can Time Really Zip? – Judy Caldwell Hughes
80. Polar Vision News – S. J. Barratt
81. Christmas Play Countdown – Krista Harrington
82. Countdown To La Navidad – Carmen Castillo Gilbert, PhD
83. Three Dozen Cookies – Elizabeth Thoms Charles
84. Goat’s Christmas Surprise – Jenny Crooks-Johnson
85. The Cookie Calamity – Katie McEnaney
86. Tree’s Long Dark Night – Katie Schwartz
87. The Santa Clues – A Holiday Detective Story – Melissa Borowicz Betrus
88. 77 Good Deeds – Nichole Stratton
89. Ms. Sunny’s Class Presents “The 12 Days Of Christmas” – Hallie Christensen
90. Light – Russell Wolff
91. The Last Time Santa Ate Sushi – Abigail Mumford
92. A Cup Of Flour, A Dash Of Salt, And A Sprinkle Of Hope – Colleen Murphy
93. Mr. Tweedy’s Christmas Trees – Colleen Fogarty
94. Tin, The Stressed-Out Elf – Joy Dickinson
95. Angel Wings Needed – Lauren N. Simmons
96. Don’t Wake Clara: An Eight Night Nutcracker Countdown – Lauren N. Simmons
97. Countdown To Bethlehem – Emmie R. Werner
98. Are We There Yet Santa? – Dierdre Laide
99. The Twelve Slimes Of Christmas – Kaitlin M. Sikes
100. It’s Tradition – Lynn M. Moore
101. Percy The Tree – Katherine Rea
102. The Elf Report: Olive The Dog – Maria Piñero Pope
103. 12 Magical Gifts – Maria Piñero Pope
104. A Winter Solstice Countdown – Sharon McCarthy
105. Oh Christmas, Where’d You Go? – Katie Mahood
106. Michiko’s Merry Mochi – Ellen Akemi Crosby
107. The Nice List – Jenna Griffith
108. Waiting For Christmas – Marty Findley
109. New Year’s Eve Flamin’ Candle Countdown – Patrice Lyle
110. Dora’s Hanukkah Parcel – Lori Dubbin
111. Three Days To Christmas – Susan Burdorf
112. The Snack Before Christmas – Teresa Traver
113. Operation Exhaustion – Jan Schwaid
114. Christmas Sock Countdown – P. J. Purtee
115. Lights Out!? – Nicole Garnett
116. Cookies For Santa – Julie Hauswirth
117. There Is. . . – Bru Benson
118. A Sense-ational Christmas! – Cezanne Bomba
119. One Light Out Of Many – Emily Rozmus
120. Devoted Drone Deliveries – Kim Collazo
121. Homes For The Holidays – Kelly Clasen
122. Five Magic Flights – Jen Keenan
123. A Merry Badgered Christmas – Sarah (Sezza) Hetu
124. But Why 44? Tish’s Chanukah Candle Question – Mara K. Lansky
125. Where Did All The Latkes Go? – Marla Yablon
126. Making A Miracle – Danna Zeiger
127. Zoey’s Tropical Christmas – Allison Gray
128. Santa And The Special Boys – Una Belle Townsend
129. Lost And Found: A Christmas Tail – Eleanor Peterson
130. Santa’s Mega Hot Chocolate – Alicia Meyers
131. Snowball’s Christmas Checklist – Kris DeCaro
132. December Holidays Count Down! – Jenna Grace
133. A Train, A Robot, And A Cookie Thief – Amy Martinez
134. Elf Olympics – Bri Lawyer
135. Countdown To Snow – Christina Shawn
136. Follow The Star – Judy Sobanski
137. 12 More Days Till Christmas – Thelia Hutchinson
138. Home For The Pawlidays – Jill Lambert
139. Paws For Concern – Bri Lawyer
140. The Christmas Cookie Countdown – Stephanie Flom
141. Push Pull Pop Ring – Lorraine McCown
142. The Best New Year Ever – Kiran Nair
143. The Naughty Kid Countdown – Tiffany Hanson
144. City Sights On New Year’s Night – Ashley Karges
145. Eduardo The Elf – Diana Lynn Gibson
146. This Party Stinks! – Abby N. Wooldridge
147. Seymour’s Countdown To Christmas – Sharon Korzelius
148. The Holiday Countdown Contest – Elizabeth Muster
149. Three Sugar Cookies On A Christmas Plate – Ashley Sierra
150. Kinda Naughty And Kinda Nice – Tracy T. Agnelli
151. A Too Tight Christmas – Becky Goodman
152. This Is The Year! – Eric Sondergeld
153. Do You Need Light? – Angelina Phelan
154. Woodland Whimsy – Lorraine McCown
155. A Race To The Stars – Susan Eyerman
156. The Last Cookie – Tracy Detz
157. Christmas In Wishville – Kendra Raubinger Chevalier
158. Christmas Eve Cookies – Mary Warth
159. Mrs. Claus Finds Joy – Nichole Stratton
160. Santa’a Rocket Sleigh – Lauri C. Meyers
161. A Chipmunk Christmas Eve – Dianne Borowski
162. Up Up Up, Down Down Down – Lmariekey
163. Cary’s Christmas Moment – Marjorie David
164. The Promise Of Christmas – Annette Bethers
165. Mama Says I Can Count Down To Christmas – Sally Yorke-Viney
166. Are We There Yet? – Melissa Rafson Friedman
Susanna Leonard Hill 
ENTRY POSTED FOR EMMIE
COUNTDOWN TO BETHLEHEM
Emmie R Werner
Word Count 170
More than
10 generations had passed since the prophet said, “prepare the way for the Lord.”
An angel appeared to Mary and said, “In about
9 months you will have a baby boy. His name will be Jesus.”
During this time the ruler ordered a census. Joseph and Mary traveled more than
8 miles to Bethlehem to be counted.
While they were in Bethlehem it was time for Jesus to be born.
There were so many people in Bethlehem no one had room for them; they tried
7 different places.
The night Jesus was born there were more than
6 shepherds watching their sheep when more than
5 angels appeared in the sky saying, “GLORY TO GOD IN THE HIGHEST.”
The shepherds hurried to Bethlehem to find Jesus. They found Him in a manger surrounded by more than
4 animals keeping Him warm.
3 Kings saw the star and followed it to the manger where they found
2 parents, Mary and Joseph, and Jesus, the
1 savior of the world.
I love this countdown, Emmie! Shows the true reason for the season. Well done! ~Lauren
Wow! This is fantastic.
Are We There Yet Santa?
By Deirdre Laide
WC: 191
Are we there yet Santa? Elf jingled in the sleigh,
As ten sparkling stars glistened lighting up the way.
Are we there yet Santa? Elf shouted from the back,
As nine little reindeer blasted on a speedy track.
Are we there yet Santa? Elf pleaded with a grin,
As eight fluffy clouds sent Santa in a spin.
Are we there yet Santa? Elf questioned with a squeeze,
As seven snowflakes fluttered in the mighty breeze.
Are we there yet Santa? Elf prodded with a cane,
As six flying birds squawked loudly in their lane.
Are we there yet Santa? Elf rattled through the toys,
As five sacks bulged with gifts for all the girls and boys.
Are we there yet Santa? Elf panted with a sigh,
As four chimney stacks began to look very neigh.
Are we there yet Santa? Elf giggled at the sight,
As three twinkling Christmas trees towered tall and bright.
Are we there yet Santa? Elf grimaced with a frown,
As two reins loosened sending Santa driving down.
Are we there yet Santa? Elf snuggled where he lay,
As one yawning helper fell asleep in the sleigh.
Zzz
What a cute story! Love the ending. Good luck with this.
Thank you. 😊
Hahaha. ‘Are we there yet, Santa?’ Just like kids ask.
Inspired by a true story 🤪😊…daily occurrence.
THE TWELVE SLIMES OF CHRISTMAS
By Kaitlin M Sikes
Word Count: 244
“The Twelve Slimes of Christmas! It’s finally here!”
I giggle and set up my lab for the year.
Food dye and borax! Water and glue!
Those are the basics for each slimy brew.
My station is ready. I tie back my hair,
and label each jar with my typical flair.
First Peppermint Pudding and Cranberry Squish,
then Gingerbread Flurry and Mistletoe Wish.
There’s Evergreen Sprinkle and Sugarcream Mist.
That’s six festive slimes I can check off my list!
Clay covers my hands, and there’s fear in Mom’s eyes.
She gasps while I stir up some Reindeer-Poo Pies.
Just five slimes to make, and the carpet’s a mess,
but clearly my work is a smashing success.
Now Gran’s at the door and I hear an “Oh NO!”
as I dump out my glitter for Wonderland Glow.
Four slimes to mix and it’s not even lunch,
I can’t wait to blend up some Foam Blizzard Crunch!
Three slimes to prep, but my Dad’s face looks grave,
I used up the foam that he needed to shave.
Just two slimes remaining, here’s Grinch’s Green Goop!
The last is for sissy, my Charcoal Slime Soup.
“I did it! Twelve Slimes!” Then I wait for applause,
but four grumpy faces suggest that I pause.
My methods were perfect, so what did I do?
A garland of slime is a glistening clue.
‘Tis the season to gather and share from the heart,
let’s make slime together, twelve’s just a start!
Slimy fun!
What a wonderful illustrated story this can be! The excitement pops everywhere. Love it!
Fantastic rhyme + great hook = FUN! This was a great read.
Haha! This is great and so relatable. Love the creative slime names!
So much fun to read!! Those four grumpy faces – I can just picture them! Every kid is going to be on board for this new Christmas tradition! 🙂
Great rhyme, rhythm and story. I so enjoyed this.
Haha! Love this empowered narrator and her 12 slimy brews! So fun and kids would want to get right to work making slime as soon as they finish reading this! Such a fun read aloud!
So much FUN! Love the amazing slime names, the snappy pacing, and the sweet ending.
Lynn M. Moore
IT’S TRADITION
WC 205
Five days before Christmas, Rae and her Daddy selected the perfect tree. It’s tradition.
Four days before Christmas, Rae and her Daddy outline their house with lights. Always.
“Surprise!”
Aunt Betty, Uncle Bob, the twins, Baby Benny, and Spot tumbled out of the car.
“We’re ready to help,” said Uncle Bob.
But in a flash, Spot raced away with the lights.
“Stop!” Rae shouted. “We always decorate with bubble lights.”
“Christmas is in three days,” said Rae. “So today we gift-wrap the presents.”
“It’s tradition,” said the twins.
Rae sighed with relief when they finished. Everything was perfect. Until…
Baby Benny pulled off the tags.
Rae wrung her hands.
Two days before Christmas, Rae awoke to relatives bustling about baking cookies.
Uncle Bob stirred. Aunt Betty rolled. The twins sprinkled. Baby Benny nibbled a peanut butter cookie.
“Mama always baked gingersnaps!” sobbed Rae.
On the last day, everyone gathered.
Daddy opened the Christmas box. “Oh, no.”
The twins flopped on the floor.
Baby Benny wailed.
Uncle Bob howled, “The stockings are ruined!”
Aunt Betty bemoaned. “It’s my favorite tradition!”
Despite the hubbub, Rae giggled.
“It’s time for a new tradition,” said Rae, “we’ll hang our everyday socks!”
Nothing was perfect, but everything was just right.
It’s never too late to add in a new tradition. Nice solution.
Very poignant and wonderful story, Lynn. Your story, especially that powerful last line resonated deeply. Thank you!
Thank you Mona.
What a sweet story. I love how Rae came up with a fun new tradition.
Percy the Tree
By Katherine Rea
235 words
On the first of November, Percy stood tall.
The lot’s smallest tree, but the cutest of all.
His branches were lush, and his needles smelled nice
Of cedar and sap and cinnamon spice.
Opening weekend, and one group loved Percy
But sadly, for purchase, they deemed him unworthy
They picked a large tree, and went over to pay
And poor Percy watched as they all drove away
He stood in the snow, and still wasn’t chosen
Black Friday, Cyber Monday, Percy stayed, frozen.
Finally December: go-time for tree lots.
Percy was nervous, his stomach in knots.
“I’ll show them I’m winsome, charming, and kind”
“If they don’t think it’s true, I’ll just change their mind!”
He hydrated, stretched, fluffed his needles, and preened
When people walked past, against them he leaned,
“Take me home, please,” he said with a grin.
“Ouch,” said a lady, “This tree poked my skin!”
By Christmas Eve morning, things looked quite grim
So Percy said, “Time to go out on a limb!”
He gathered up pieces of tinsel and treasure—
Gum wrappers, pom pom balls, twine, and a feather
A child passing by gasped loudly with glee
“Look, Mommy, see? It’s a tiny trash tree!”
Percy came home to a warm cozy room
When hours before, it’d been doom and gloom.
“It’s nice to be cute,” Percy said with a sigh.
“But resourceful and clever is how to get by!”
Wonderful rhyming! Love this story twist.
Love this sweet rhyming story. I was definitely rooting for poor little Percy, and I’m so glad he got his happy ending!
Wonderful!
Very cute, and I loved the tree references – including the subtle “stomach in knots” line. Also clever to show passage of time with sale events.
Kids always chosen last could relate to this. I’m glad he found a home.
Katherine, I really like your story! You included smell and touch very effectively. How very is true I Percy’s knowledge.
What a fun, sweet story! That ending line is perfection.
The Elf Report: Olive the Dog
By Maria Piñero Pope
(250 Words)
For months I’ve been waiting
to make my debut.
I’ll be quite a sight in
my colorful hue.
Remember last Christmas,
just this time last year?
One puppy turned villain!
Quite naughty, I hear!
This time, I’ve been ordered
to keep a close eye.
So what you’ve been up to,
I’ll tell the big guy.
See, Santa must know all
the good things you’ve done.
To share all the bad things
won’t be quite as fun.
I’m counting my list and
from what I can see,
there’s so much to tell that
it shocked even me!
Hey, why are you putting
me into your mouth?!
Oh dear, this is really
about to go south!
I promise to tell him
you’ve been a good girl.
Now please put me down or
I might start to hurl.
I’ll leave off the FIVE dolls
you buried last week.
I’m worried my future
is looking real bleak.
You ate FOUR new hats? It’s
already forgotten!
He won’t have to know that
you’ve been rather rotten.
Don’t stress ‘bout the THREE times
you barked through the night.
That cat from next door should
stay hidden from sight!
So what if you ripped up
the TWO Christmas throws?
At least you avoided
the presents and bows!
You put me down gently!
Now, that’s a great start!
And Santa will know that
you’ve got a good heart.
Of course there is room on
the nice list this year…
for ONE precious Olive,
we all hold so dear.
Bravo! Love this.
This one made me giggle! Very creative use of the countdown. Best of luck!
Thank you!
Very cute story Maria! Of course a puppy can’t be ALL BAD, lol! Since we have a now 2 yr. old pup, I identified with your story. And glad Olive made the nice list!
Thanks, Katie! Olive just turned two, so I’m sure our puppies are up to the same mischief. 😉
What a fun story with a unique perspective!
Thank you! It was a lot of fun to write it from the Elf’s POV.
Cute story and love the rhyme! Best of luck!
Thanks so much Stephanie!
So glad to see Olive is back and still up to mischief!🤣
So much mischief!🤪
I enjoyed this and especially liked, “Oh dear, this is really
about to go south!” It’s fun introducing kids to sayings like this. My Dad used to say this all the time and it made me laugh!
Haha, thank Lorraine! I love that expression and someone used it in front of me the other day right after I wrote this story. 🙂
Such a cute story, Maria! Yeah Olive!
Thanks so much Thelia!
Haha. Very clever!!
Thank you! ☺️
This must be a puppy. Well done!
A very naughty two year old puppy! 😉
Olive can never be on the naughty list! hahaha Love that he is back! Go get em, Olive!
She’s working extra hard to be on the naughty list this year!
there’s so much to tell that
it shocked even me!
So funny!
I have photographic evidence!
12 Magical Gifts
By Maria Piñero Pope
(242 Words)
Arriving at Great Uncle’s house felt strange. Even though he was gone, his mysterious presence lingered. Mother packed belongings but I came with a different purpose.
I tip-toed up the forbidden attic stairs.
Tucked in a dark corner, behind cobwebs, sat the old advent calendar in the shape of a house.
TWELVE tiny doors kept secrets inside.
Secrets, I recalled, that could lead to magical lands and the wintry princess in Uncle’s stories.
I opened the first, pulling out miniature slippers. Wind whistled in the windowless attic, and the slippers slipped onto my feet.
“It’s real?” I gasped.
ELEVEN doors remained locked.
The next morning, a golden heart-shaped necklace quickly flew onto my neck.
TEN remained.
A dazzling dress.
NINE, EIGHT, SEVEN.
Ribbon in my hair, a pocket watch, a crimson cloak.
SIX- gold key
FIVE- blank parchment
FOUR- white feather
THREE- silver coins
TWO- shiny bell
ONE door to open.
A locked velvet book.
Ignoring mother’s call from downstairs, I turned the key. Pages fluttered open, swirling sparkling snow everywhere.
All that was large became very small and inside the book I went!
“Uncle?”
“Evie, you came,” Uncle sighed, hugging me. “Did you bring everything, the feather?”
I nodded, pulling it out as a white owl landed on my arm.
“Your guide. Remember the stories? Winterland’s princess is real and in danger. I’m too old to help. Use the gifts and find her before twelve hours pass. The clock starts… NOW!”
What a magical story! Great work!
Thanks so much Stephanie! I had so much fun writing for a slightly older age range!
This plot is so intriguing! Well done, Maria!
Thanks Bri!☺️
Great job, Maria. You took me to a magical place!
Thanks Thelia! I want it to be real so badly!
The clock is ticking. OMG! I want to read more.
I can’t wait to write more!
Don’t wait, write!
I love this magical, intriguing plot you’ve created! Well done, friend! Can’t wait to see what this turns into 😉
Thanks for all of your help with it!
Oh, oh, oh . . . I foresee a middle grade novel in your future. This is really, really, really good!
So glad you see it as a middle grade novel, Jill! That is my plan 🙂
This is exactly the kind of story I LOVE!! Magic, mystery, family, intrigue – I want to read more. 🙂
Yay! SO glad you liked it Heather!
Word Count 250
A Winter Solstice Countdown
By Sharon McCarthy
On Friday, Dec.8th, nine kindergarteners danced around their class Oak Tree.
Hooray!
Let the Winter Solstice Countdown begin!
Each student pulled a number from the decorated star box.
Jasmine picked 10.
So, on Monday, she counted the last ten leaves on the class tree.
Jimmy picked nine.
So, on Tuesday, he counted nine mysterious holes in the class tree.
Gauri picked eight.
So, on Wednesday, she counted eight rabbit prints around the class tree.
Sophia picked seven.
So, on Thursday, she counted seven unique nests on the class tree.
Trinley picked six.
So, on Friday, he counted six robins singing on the class tree.
But wait! The students did a twist!
When Maria picked five,
she made a popcorn garland with five suets for the class tree on Monday.
When Jose picked four,
he created four animal homes from leaves and logs for the class tree on Tuesday.
When Rebecca picked three,
she built three birdhouses for the class tree on Wednesday.
When Jay picked two,
he laid two bird baths under the class tree on Thursday.
On Friday, Dec. 21st, everyone danced around the class Oak Tree.
Hooray!
Let the Winter Solstice Celebration begin!
The class performed one dance, sing-along, and feast with hot cocoa and goodies under the class tree.
Then, when the daylight faded and the North Star shined upon the blessed Oak Tree,
ten squirrels, nine chickadees, eight raccoons, seven turkeys, six spiders, five mice, four bats, three owls, two deer, and one bear were thankful.
This is really lovely! What a beautiful countdown!
Thanks so much!
Love how you bring all the outdoor elements into your Winter Solstice Celebration Sharon! And super ending with all the thankful animals gathering under the North Star! Great job!
Thank you! I appreciate your kind feedback.
Love this nature-forward story. Well done!
Thanks! I appreciate your support.
I love the idea of a Winter Solstice Countdown, Sharon. The twist midway in the count is clever and the ending is perfect. Well done!
Thanks so much!
As a nature lover, this really tugged at my heart.
Thank you!
I had a hard enough time with the countdown. You, on the other hand, did it AND added days of the week.
Lori Keating
Word count: 250
What a wonderful, heartwarming story! Love this. Good luck!
Thank you so much!
Oh Christmas, Where’d You Go?
By Katie Mahood
128 words
January’s worn and weary.
February’s bleak and dreary.
March is melty, slushy, smeary.
Christmas, why’d you go?
April springs a drenching rain.
May’s alright, I can’t complain.
Until the bees bring stinging pain,
Come back, I miss you so!
June is dressed in humid haze.
July’s a scorching, fiery blaze.
I’m longing for the holidays,
With just a touch of snow.
August opens up the schools.
September closes all the pools.
October summons fiends and ghouls.
November rolls in slowwwww.
Thanksgiving – time begins to crawl.
December comes, I hit a wall.
The clock it barely moves at all.
Where’s Christmas? I don’t know.
Then FINALLY, I’m on the brink.
On Christmas Eve – can’t sleep a wink.
It’s CHRISTMAS DAY! But then I blink.
Oh Christmas, where’d you go?
I love this, Katie!
This is beautiful, Katie. Well done! ~Lauren
Super job of rhyming, and counting down the months, really masterful, with a unique rhyming pattern! Love it, great job Katie!
Very impressive! The meter was so smooth, the rhyme scheme unique, and I can completely relate to the year-round longing for Christmas.
I really enjoyed reading this story! What a great story for a classroom and all children to learn from. Impressive!
Nicely done, and oh, so true!!
I love your story! It has Silverstein vibes, especially at the end! Good luck!
I love the rhyme scheme! And the message…oh so true!
This is beautiful! And the ending is so true!
Love this so much Katie! What an excellent countdown! I feel this EVERY year! haha
These are great characterizations of each month and the rhythm had no tongue stumbles.
Took me a minute. You counted down the MONTHS!
This is me every year. Love this so much Katie!
Love this, Katie! And it’s exactly how I feel every year! Well done!
Love this Lori, a truly wonderful story in so few words!
Thank you, Katie! I appreciate you!
ENTRY POSTED FOR ELLEN
Michiko’s Merry Mochi
by Ellen Akemi Crosby
197 Words
Can she make it in time?
New Year’s Day is almost here!
It’s the special Japanese rice cake.
It will be steamed.
It will be pressed.
It will be molded.
And, eaten with much care.
Day 10 (Ju)
Michiko is shopping,
And ingredients are already scarce.
Day 9 (Ku)
She keeps shopping.
How can stores be out of rice?
Day 8 (Hachi)
She calls her friend, Kaoru.
“Can you check at your neighborhood store?”
Day 7 (Shichi)
Kaoru calls her back.
“All rice has gone out the door!”
Day 6 (Roku)
Michiko thinks hard.
She’ll borrow some from Noboru (he’s a chef).
Day 5 (Go)
Noboru drops by.
“Can’t even get any for restaurant!”
Day 4 (Shi)
Michiko is getting frantic.
And, racks her brain for ideas.
Day 3 (San)
Desperately, she goes online.
“Does anyone have any rice to spare?”
Day 2 (Ni)
Michiko hears her doorbell ring.
A bag of rice is delivered. Whew and Thanks!
Day 1 (Ichi)
Michiko’s Mochi Machine is steaming.
Cooked rice is pressed and molded.
New Year’s Day!
It’s here! It’s here!
And, not a moment too soon.
To eat the special rice cakes.
The sweet ones that Michiko makes.
What a wonderfully fun story to read! I really enjoyed this. Good luck!
It’s so much fun to learn about traditions of others.
I’m so happy Michiko found some rice! Great tension in your story!
Ooh – other holiday traditions, a conflict to overcome, and learning to count in Japanese. This one does a lot of great things!
The Nice List
By Jenna Griffith
246 Words
Sam has always been on the Naughty List.
But this year . . . so far,
Sam is on the Nice List.
But can Sam stay on the Nice List?
5 Days Until Christmas:
“Sam! Clean your room,” says Mom.
Sam wants to stomp his feet. He’s about to scream and shout . . .
but . . .
Sam cleans his room.
Another day on the Nice List.
4 Days Until Christmas:
Sam is bored. The teacher is talking, talking, talking.
Sam wants to crumple a paper and throw it at Finn’s head . . .
but . .
Sam puts the paper in the recycling.
Another day on the Nice List.
3 Days Until Christmas:
Gavin trips in the hallway. All of his books scatter.
Sam wants to laugh . . .
but . . .
Sam helps Gavin clean up his books.
Another day on the Nice List.
2 Days Until Christmas:
Basketball game. Braden is open and ready for a shot.
Sam doesn’t want to share the ball . . .
but . . .
Sam passes . . . Braden scores!
Another day on the Nice List.
1 Day Until Christmas:
Sam makes his bed in the morning.
He raises his hand during class.
In the hall, friends smile and Sam waves.
At practice, Sam is part of the team.
Another day on the Nice List.
Christmas Eve:
Santa arrives at Sam’s house for the first time.
Candy canes fill his stocking, and presents are placed under the tree.
0 Days Until Christmas:
Sam spends the day with his family,
and smiles.
It’s good to be on the Nice List.
What a wonderful twist to this story! I love it.
You captured all the common ‘infractions’ so well. The character changed, which is all we can every hope for in a good story.
Hahaha . . . kids across the world behave in December. Sounds like Sam will be on the nice list every year from now on.
Good for Sam! I think he’s got it figured out!
A first time on the Nice List! Well done, Sam. It sounds like these lessons might just stick with him!
WAITING FOR CHRISTMAS
By Marty Findley
163 Words
“How many days ’til Christmas, Mom?”
“Ten more sleeps – one for each finger.”
“How many days ’til Christmas now?”
“Nine more sleeps – one for each space on your tic-tac-toe game.”
“How many days ’til Christmas now?”
“Eight more sleeps – one for each leg on a spider.”
“How many more now?”
“Seven more sleeps – one for each day of the week.”
“How many more now?”
“Six more sleeps – one for each leg on a ladybug.”
“How many more now?”
“Five more sleeps – one for each toe on one foot.”
“How many more now?”
“Four more sleeps – one for each wheel on our car.”
“How many now?”
“Three more sleeps – one for each wish on your list.”
“How many now?”
“Two more sleeps – one for each wheel on your bike.”
“And now?”
“One more sleep – one for your nosy nose!”
“And now?
It’s Christmas!!
And Santa was here!!”
“How many more days ’til Christmas, Mom?”
“Really?
365 sleeps…one for each day of the year!!!”
Gosh it’s so hard to wait for Christmas isn’t it! You captured the feeling very well Marty, great job!
Thank you! Good luck to you!
Well done. Kids and parents will both relate to your countdown! Your examples for each number are just right! Nice twist at the end 🙂
Thank you! Best of luck!
Love how you gave the info for each number in a educational way.
Thanks! Best of luck!
I love all the connections to so many different things. Great creative thinking!
Thanks! Good luck!
I love all these different connections. The teacher in me sees potential for multiple fun assignments that could come out of reading this to students. Very nice!
Thanks! From one teacher to another!
Cute! My Gc said the same, more or less after opening his gifts. When’s next Christmas? Well done! I dare you to make a list for the 365 days left ’til Christmas day. Kids!
I loved this countdown (especially the wish . . . and the ending).
Ha! Love the ending! Poor mom!
I love the variety of things used for counting – each leg of a ladybug, etc. A little learning (except for the wish example), some fun counting, and a happy ending (except, perhaps, for Mom!)!
ENTRY POSTED FOR PATRICE
NEW YEAR’S EVE FLAMIN’ CANDLE COUNTDOWN
By Patrice Lyle
249 words
“Yo,” Blaze said. “I need a headcount for the New Year’s Eve Flamin’ Candle Countdown!”
“I’ll be there,” Twinkle replied.
Flicker bounded across Candle Headquarters. “Me too.”
“Count us in,” said Brighty, Smokey, Burnie, Flamezie, Hottie, and Waxy.
“Wait,” Blaze said. “That’s only nine candles. We need ten to do the countdown to midnight.”
The candles looked around. Everyone else had left for the holidays.
Twinkle frowned. “What are we going to do? We can’t cancel New Year’s Eve!”
Waxy pouted. “The whole world will be disappointed if we don’t light up Times Square.”
Two little squeaks sounded.
“Can I join?” a quiet voice asked.
They turned to see Eternella. A hopeful glow lit her face.
“But… you’re a flameless candle,” Brighty said.
Smokey squinted. “Your flame lights by battery.”
“People want real candles,” Flamezie said.
Eternella slunk away. Her flame dimmed with disappointment.
“Wait,” Blaze said. “Eternella burns bright just like us. Plus, wind or rain won’t blow her out.”
Twinkle winked. “Come back, Eternella! Let’s all light up the New Year’s Eve party together!”
Eternella perked up.
A blustery New Year’s Eve night arrived.
The candles marched onto the platform. Someone lit them… one by one.
And one by one…
they blew out.
The crowd gasped…
until Eternella lit the night.
She burned bright and jumped up and down to do the countdown to midnight.
“Ten. Nine. Eight. Seven. Six. Five. Four. Three. Two. One!” Eternella twirled.
Everyone cheered. “Happy New Year!”
Eternella glowed brighter than ever.
Great story arc. I felt the tension building. Good luck!
Eternella saved the day/night, she may be small but her light shines bright.
Cute idea. My favorite part: a hopeful glow lit her face.
What a fun story! I love all the candle names!
Dora’s Hanukkah Parcel
By Lori Dubbin
Word Count 248
Dora received a parcel
Unique and oddly shaped.
It had a note from Grandma
On the package, wrapped and taped.
“Enjoy this Hanukkah parcel
With traditions packed just right.
Each will be revealed
When you open them tonight.”
Dora got to work
And opened the first bin
The top gift was a dreidel –
She watched it whirl and spin.
Dora wondered what was next.
What gem would she be dealt?
She tore the paper open,
The second gift was gelt!
Dora grasped the next one
With rumbling in her belly
She opened up gift three –
A doughnut filled with jelly!
Dora sniffed the next box
“Is this a tasty babka?”
No! Gift four dripped with oil –
A crispy, crunchy latke!
The next one was a carton –
“Add one of these each night.”
Gift five was full of candles
For a festival of light.
“Will the next gift hold the candles?”
Inquired curious Dora.
She opened up box six –
A Hanukkah Menorah!
Gift seven was a perfect square –
Dora guessed what it could be,
A book – about miraculous oil
And Judah Maccabee!
When she reached gift eight
It was nearly time for bed.
Dora found a note inside,
And this is what it said –
“For gift eight, dear Dora,
I wrote a prayer by hand –
A wish for your good health,
And peace in every land.”
Dora gazed at all her gifts
Then put each in its place.
Treasured gifts from Grandma
Brought a big smile to her face.
Wonderful! I can definitely see this in a picture book!
This is so filled with heart and captures the holiday so well! The relationship between Dora and Grandma is exceedingly touching.
This is beautiful! I love the images it invokes!
A charming, heartwarming poem that truly captures the spirit of the holiday! Good luck!
Lovely. Grandparents matter. I miss Latkes. I’m not Jewish but I loved the food they served at the delicatessen.
My favorite part: the jelly doughnut.
Spot on rhyme, Lori! And that’s hard to do. 🙂 I loved the anticipation of wondering what gifts Grandma had sent!
I loved how this explained so much about Hanukkah, especially to folks who don’t know a lot about it. Very nicely done!
Lovely! Gift eight was the most precious of all!
THREE DAYS TO CHRISTMAS
By Susan Burdorf
198 words
Santa watched the falling snow
his expression full of woe.
Just three days until Christmas eve night
and all he could see was snowy white.
The elves were worried too.
They wondered what they’d do.
Rudolph was away
until Christmas day.
Who would guide the sleigh
through the stormy way?
If the snow didn’t stop
Dreams, like bubbles, would pop.
Two days until time to go.
Wind howled with the falling snow.
Now the reindeer stamped their hooves
hoping weather would improve.
The elves sent out the word
by penguin, bear, and bird –
find Rudolph; bring him home or they fear
Christmas day would not happen this year.
One day to Christmas eve night
Wind still howled, snow hid all light.
No sign of the red-nosed deer.
No miracle would appear.
Santa sighed,
the elves cried.
Christmas day could not be
if Santa could not see.
Christmas eve was here.
The elves let out a cheer.
Standing in the door, shaking off snow
was a red-nosed reindeer, don’t you know.
The sleigh was soon full of toys
for the anxious girls and boys,
A red-nose navigator guided the way
through the night into a snowy Christmas day.
I love this connection with the Rudolph story. Wonderful storytelling!
Hooray for Rudolph! Saving Christmas–just in the nick of time! Nice work, Sue!
My favorite part: sending word by penguin, bear, and bird.
“The Snack Before Christmas”
by Teresa Traver
(235 words)
‘Twas the night before Christmas, and Santa Claus needs a snack break. Frosted sugar cookies and a table for one, please!
Look who’s chirping at the door—an Arctic Warbler. How about a snack for two with caterpillars and cookies?
Another guest already? Hello, Ground Squirrel! Table for three, please, with grass seeds, caterpillars, and cookies.
How you doin’, Arctic Hare? The four of us will feast on fresh berries, seeds, caterpillars, and cookies. Yum!
Ah, Mr. Fox is right on time! We’ll have a festive snack for five, with birds’ eggs, berries, seeds, caterpillars, and cookies.
So glad you could join us, Captain Caribou. Six is the perfect number for a meal of lichens, eggs, berries, seeds, caterpillars, and cookies.
Come in, come in, Polar Bear! Just for you, we’ll add a seventh chair. Blubbery seals, lichens, eggs, berries, seeds, caterpillars, and cookies are on the menu.
Mr. Walrus was running late, but our party’s getting lively, ‘cause now we have eight! Please enjoy clams, seals, lichens, eggs, berries, seeds, caterpillars, and cookies.
Oh boy, Beluga, things are getting crowded. But we’ll find room for all nine guests. We’re dining on cod, clams, seals, lichens, eggs, berries, seeds, caterpillars, and cookies.
Another guest? We’ll have a party of ten. Hello, Mr. . . . Abominable Snowman?! Oh no, he looks hungry! We gotta get out of here! Run!
Abominable Snowman, party of one?
I love reading the connection to all the animals. It’s a great surprise ending as well.
So much fun anticipating (like in A Partridge in a Pear Tree). Funny ending, too.
Operation Exhaustion
By Jan Schwaid
WC: 245
Ruby was determined to stay up until midnight on New Year’s. Her parents weren’t so sure.
“You need your sleep,” said her mother.
But children don’t need sleep. Ruby tried to explain this – her presentation involved stuffed bears, her alarm clock, and an old lollipop – and while she made good points, her parents weren’t convinced.
On December 31st, Ruby awoke early. “We have a big day planned!” chirped her parents. Ruby knew what that really meant; they were trying to tire her out.
With 16 hours ‘til midnight, they took her to the playground. Ruby chased her father in circles and seesawed madly with her mother.
14 hours left. At the zoo, Ruby insisted on taking the long uphill path to the chimpanzees.
10 hours remained. Ruby requested a game of Chimpanzee, which involved hanging off her parents’ arms and hooting. They grew hoarse hooting back.
8 hours to go: Homemade obstacle course.
6 hours: Jump rope contest.
Just 5 hours more. At dinner, Ruby thumb wrestled her father over spaghetti.
Finally, 8pm. Just 4 hours left. “Bedtime, Ruby!” yawned her father.
Frazzled and sleepy from a full day of chasing and hiking and whooping and obstacle course-ing and thumb wrestling, her parents fell fast asleep on the couch. Operation Exhaustion backfired. Big-time.
Ruby stayed up for the countdown. “Happy New Year!” she whispered, careful not to wake her parents as she tucked them in. Children don’t need sleep, she knew, but grownups sure do.
Loved reading this story! Wonderful twist at the end. Great job!
I appreciate that so much! Thank you!
I love Ruby and this story!
Aw, thank you, Patrice!!
This is so good! I really liked: “her presentation involved stuffed bears, her alarm clock, and an old lollipop” because of the room it makes for discussion. I’ll be thinking about how an old lollipop contributes to persuasion for a while!
Thanks so much, Lorraine!
I love the part about her presentation. I’m a retired pediatric nurse practitioner; kids used to rationalize to me why they didn’t need to wear a bike helmet and how THEIR trampoline was perfectly safe . . . yada yada yada. The ending is hilarious.
You have to work that detail into something, Jill – so funny!
This is most excellent. Love Ruby’s secret plan!
Aw, thank you, Abby!
CHRISTMAS SOCK COUNTDOWN
by P. J. Purtee (Jill)
125 words
The creatures were frazzled
and glanced at the clock.
They hadn’t much time
and they’d not hung a sock.
The mantel was bare
until shrimp hung up ten.
The octopus cheated—
with nine socks (again).
The spiders hung stockings,
as always, in eights.
A starfish hung seven
in hope to get skates.
Six for the lobster.
The kangaroo—five.
Four for the frog.
When will Santa arrive?
The three-legged crow
from the legend hung three.
Just two for the ostrich—
“That’s plenty for me.”
The crow, for the snail—
dangled one lonely sock.
That was it. They were done.
They all glanced at the clock.
The worm had no feet—
not a sock for a hook.
So when Santa appeared,
he gave Bookworm a book.
This is brilliant! What a comical idea to have all these different creatures hanging socks! And love the ending! Very clever.
Thank you, Angela.
Delightful. Great job.
Thank you.
This is such a joyful read. I’m so glad I found this one in the pile. Good luck!
Thank you for the kind comment.
Clever and Fun! Very well done!
Such a clever idea (and very different!)
Thank you.
Adorable and the ending is perfect!
Thank you so much.
Thanks, Jill!
Very cute and funny! I love the creative countdown of the animal socks!
Thank you. It’s a pretty long mantel.
I love this – especially the enticement to further reading (The three-legged crow
from the legend hung three.) and the notion that books are gifts worthy of giving by Santa. Wonderful!
Thank you. I found out about the 3-legged crow searching for a 3-legged creature. I also found out about a 9-legged octopus found off the coast of Japan.
Oh, the things we find in those research rabbit holes…
Oh what fun it is to rhyme! Love that the octopus hung stockings in eights. Very clever.
I begin each day writing a rhyme and have built up quite the collection. Thank you for taking the time to read/comment.
Absolutely love this one, Jill! You’ve out done yourself 🙂
Thank you, Marla. Your stamp of approval means a lot to me.
Your countdown is such fun! Very clever.
Thank you!
Love the ending. So clever!
Thank you.
I would love to see the illustrations for this countdown story! Great job Jill. Good luck!
Hahaha . . . so would I.
Ha ha ha.
Oh, and thank you, Colleen.
You are welcome!
Jill, I read through your imaginative and clever story twice. I think we writers all love the ending…”he gave Bookworm a book.”
Aw, that’s sweet. Thank you.
Love your verses PJ, and rhyme, and ending is super! Very cute!
Thank you, Katie.
This is hilarious, Jill, and I love the ending! Good luck!
I’m glad you enjoyed it. Thank you.
This is so cute! I loved the ending Jill!
Thank you, Laura.
What fun!! I did NOT see that ending coming. And now I’m hoping for the same Christmas morning as Bookworm. ❤
Thank you. I’m a sucker for surprise endings.
I’m hoping you get your book! Merry Christmas.
I love the menagerie of creatures and the use of socks in the countdown. Terrific rhyme and meter. And that last stanza is the perfect ending…so creative, Jill!
Thank you so much, Jill.
Great ending! Love the diverse critters. 🙂
Thank you, Bridget.
This is so charming and delightful! Love the humor (especially that sneaky ocotopus!) and perfect ending stanza.
Thank you, Sarah.
Hahaha . . . Santa’s bottom knocks one.
That is also one of my favourite parts Jill haha. Thanks so much for reading
Lights Out!?
By Nicole Garnett
Word count: 250
In a dusty box under the stairs, a string of lights laid waiting for their time to SHINE!
“Rest up, everyone. We’ll be using A LOT of energy soon! I smell turkey and pumpkin pie!”
Orange sat up. “The Carlsons always get their tree the day after THAT meal!”
“LIGHTS OUT, Orange!”
“But Red, I’m too excited to close my eyes!”
As their box finally opened, Blue screamed, “Tree Day!”
“I’m SHOCKED! It’s finally here!” exclaimed Orange.
“It’s exciting, but I don’t want anyone left behind.
ROLL CALL!” demanded Red. “Orange, all your bulbs in place?”
“Yes! Yes!”
“Blue?”
“Yes, sir!”
“Green?”
“Of course.”
“Great! My reds are RED-DY! Remember, hold on! We’ll be…
Shaken.
Pulled.
Dropped.
Stepped on.
Even…
flicked!”
And…
they were.
“Everyone, sit TIGHT! Mr. Carlson is about to count down!” shouted Red.
“10… 9… 8…7… 6… 5… 4… 3… 2…
1!”
“Oh no! WATTS happening?” asked Blue.
“Outage?” questioned Green.
“CODE-RED!” shouted Orange.
“One of us must be loose!” yelled Red. “Buckle down. He’s counting again!”
“5… 4… 3… 2… 1!”
“Not good,” said Green.
Blue hung his bulb. “It’s over. Into trash we go…”
“No! Everyone, check your colors again!” ordered Red.
“We did, Red!”.
“Well, someone didn’t. Otherwise this tree would be lit!”
“Red, check YOUR colors!” ordered Orange.
“Oh…
oops.” blushed Red.
“3… 2… 1!”
The Carlson’s clapped and cheered!
“Orang-you going to say “I told you so,” Red asked.
“Nah, we’re in this together, Red. Otherwise, it’s LIGHTS OUT…
forever.” winked Orange.
Great story. This would be an excellent addition to connecting every classroom with math and science. Good luck!
Thank you so much! I love that idea!!
What a cute story Nicole! I love the perspective of the lights. What a fun idea! Great job and good luck!!
What a fun and clever POV!
So creative and fun, Nicole!!
With several electrical engineers in the house, including me, I can say that Christmas lights are SOOOOOOO frustrating to try to debug and fix. The notion that the lights would sort this out for themselves… priceless. I really liked that Red blushed and all of your other clever lines.
So cute and very creative. Good job!
A fresh POV. Fun!
This is adorable. Consider submitting this to a children’s magazine.
Or . . . develop it into a PB.
Love this new POV and all of your hilarious puns! Great job! 👏👏👏
This is hilarious and so creative! (you really think out of the box 🙂
This is so charming, imaginative, and PUNderful! I love it. Nicely done, Nicole!
Cookies for Santa
By Julie Hauswirth
250 words
FIVE delicious Christmas cookies
set on Santa’s plate.
Ellie made them all herself.
Her recipe is great!
Carefully she’d decorated
every single one
with chocolate sprinkles, peppermint,
and swirly frosting fun.
“Ellie, what a tasty treat!”
Grandma stopped to say,
and took the biggest cookie from
the top of Santa’s tray.
FOUR delicious Christmas cookies:
Santa’s midnight snack!
Plenty to devour as
he empties out his sack.
“Ellie, can I try one, please?”
Asked her sister, Kate.
Ellie let her take her pick
from Santa’s special plate.
THREE delicious Christmas cookies
Santa Claus could munch
placed beside some carrots for
the reindeer team to crunch.
“Hey, no fair! You have to share!”
Complained her brother, Drew.
Ellie, with an open heart,
gave him a cookie, too.
TWO delicious Christmas cookies
might be just enough
to fill a hungry Santa Claus
with stockings still to stuff.
Then Mittens broke an ornament!
The tree fell over- CRASH!
Ellie gave her frazzled mom
one treat from Santa’s stash.
ONE delicious cookie left
for Santa when he comes…
but Ellie’s puppy got there first-
all he left were CRUMBS!
Christmas Eve felt ruined now.
Ellie shed a tear.
The quiet sound of jingle bells
meant Santa’s sleigh was near!
From the chimney he appeared
and chuckled, “Ho, Ho, Ho!”
He placed the gifts beside the tree,
then winked and turned to go.
But Santa said to Ellie as
he set off to depart:
“It matters not what’s on the plate,
but what’s inside your heart.”
This is such a beautiful poem! I love the imagery and how very giving Ellie is! The ending brings goosebumps! Sweet, sweet, sweet!
Thank you!! 🙂
This story is a beautiful treat to read! There are lots of illustration possibilities for its future picture book life!
Thank you so much!
Wonderful job! A complete story, a countdown, a heartwarming message. *snaps*
Excellent countdown with a beautiful message and all the heart!
Love the rhyme and what a sweet message!
Julie, this story is so sweet. I love it so much!
I love how her earlier open heart ties into the ending and that the only tear fell when Ellie was concerned about Santa. Lovely!
So sweet, Julie. You had me at cookies!
I could imagine the entire story! Lovely ending.
This has a classic Christmas feel to it, and the ending is lovely. Well done!
Very nicely done. I loved the part where Ellie gives her frazzled mom a cookie — so thoughtless and kind and great foreshawdowing, and yet the ending was still a nice surprise.
I love this sweet story so much! Santa’s line at the end is my favorite. 🥰
Awww. Julie, I love this sweet story and perfect heartwarming ending.
Wow Julie. You did an awesome job with this heartwarming story. Good luck!
THERE IS…
Bru Benson
144 words
There is
a city or town or village
wherever you live,
with a group of people
who need some love
during their holiday season.
There is
a block of dwellings,
a neighborhood,
near where you live
which you can’t see inside
but wish you could.
There is
living within,
a family of two or
more or many
They go to work, others to school
Some can’t smile. Some do.
There is
a person, one in the family
who thinks nobody cares
but you do.
Only if you could do something,
you would.
There is
a city,
a town,
a village,
a neighborhood,
a family,
a person. Then there’s you.
There is
a difference
you can make
It takes just one.
One box of cereal
One dinner gift to share.
One coat to keep the cold out
One person who’s glad you care.
Happy Holidays!
This a beautiful story with a great visual appearance. Love it! Nice job.
Thank you.
A non-numerical countdown from big to small – so creative and warm!
Thank You
I absolutely love this. I foresee a novel in verse in your future.
Thank you. Hopefully one day.
This is lovely.
Word Count 249
A Sense-ational Christmas!
By Cezanne Bomba
Juniper was awake in her bed
Her tummy was nervous, her heart full of dread
Santa was coming – or so it was said!
She tossed, she turned, her mind awhirl
Up her hands went in a swirl
Would Santa know she’d been a good girl?
She’d have to go downstairs to check
Staying in bed would make her a wreck
At Christmas time, it’s all hands on deck!
Juniper was surprised to see
Presents galore under the tree
But all the stockings were still empty!
Grandma’s reassuring words sprang to mind
When you are nervous or sad or feeling unkind
To feel better simply count what you find
What five things could she see?
Fireplace, rocking chair with a pillow shaped like a bee
White lights, red ornaments and gold star on the tree
What four things could she touch with her hand?
A plaid blanket, her fuzzy sweater, a coffee table
Hmm, yes and a small fan
What three things could she hear?
She tilted her head and oh, dear!
Dad’s loud snoring, the humidifier, but no reindeer
What two things could she smell?
She breathed deeply and from what she could tell
Cinnamon and vanilla cookies were just swell
What could she taste?
She eyed the cup of milk on the fireplace
That was for Santa, not hers to waste
Counting worked and she no longer had dread
She was confident Santa had gifts for her on his sled
Now Juniper was finally, finally ready for bed!
Great rhyming. Great story! I love it, and good luck!
What a nice way to bring a calming technique into a children’s story!
I love that you used senses for the countdown. Nice title, too.
I love how Juniper was able to use counting to calm down. Very nice!
One Light Out of Many
By Emily Rozmus
168 words
In the year’s darkest month,
We count down with light.
Bringing joy, hope, and peace
To the cold, winter night.
Hannukah
For eight blessed days
The Menorah shines bright.
Celebrating the miracle:
A Festival of Lights.
Each night a new candle
Burns strong and clear.
‘Til the Menorah is lit,
Streaming joy far and near.
Kwanzaa
History shines brightly—
Candles black, green and red.
With seven flames from the Kinara,
Ancestral pride spreads.
Celebration of faith,
Unity, purpose, and self,
Each light of the candles
Celebrates wealth and good health.
Christmas
A light in the darkness,
Fresh, fragrant, and green,
The four Advent Wreath candles
Brighten the Nativity scene.
Awaiting the arrival
Of new life from above,
Each week a new flame:
Hope, Joy, Peace, and Love.
Revolving in blackness
Of time, stars, and space,
One planet, many stories—
Shared hopes of this place.
One light out of many,
Stars too numerous to name.
Earth’s countdowns are reminders:
What we cherish is the same.
I love how you included all the holidays in this story! Excellent use of words. Good luck!
Thanks so much for hosting and for your encouragement!
Beautiful . . especially love “ancestral pride spreads”
Such a good reminder. I like how your last line ties it all up in a bow.
Those last 2 lines are so impactful!
This is beautiful, Emily.
Devoted Drone Deliveries
Kim Collazo
250 words
Jordan loves the people who
live in her neighborhood!
Holidays are here again
and so to do some good…
She wants to use her trusty drone
to give each house a gift,
that way she’ll stay anonymous
and spirits she will lift!
House number 10, Mr. Frost
works down at the deli.
To him, she gives some homemade bread
and jar of apple jelly.
Number 9, Mrs. Green,
a mom with seven kids,
her gift is cookies, sweetly baked
in tins with matching lids.
Number 8, on down the street,
John and Jerry Knox,
they work out in the cold all day
their gifts, knitted socks.
Number 7 is the place
the Lopez family lives.
They always wave and shout hello,
a smiley flag she gives.
Number 6, Grandpa Frank,
although he’s not related,
he’s loved by everyone around
his gift, art she created.
Number 5, with fading paint
belongs to Captain Smoots,
he works hard daily catching fish;
her drone delivers boots.
Number 4, Mrs. Nell
who has a bunch of cats,
Jordan gives her treats and toys
that look like little rats!
Number 3 belongs to Ann
who sleeps during the day,
she works the night shift at the mill,
for her, a big bouquet.
Number 2, a tiny home
owned by Officer Mark,
a flashlight is his gift this year
to help him in the dark.
Number 1, the final stop
is Jordan’s own home place.
She views the pictures from the drone,
smiles on EVERY face!
This is a great story. I love the way you made it current for today’s time.
Thank you!
Love the thoughtful, kindness this promotes! Truly lovely!
Thank you, Katie!
What a believable cast of characters in this community you created. Jordan’s gift coming from the smiles of others? Just lovely!
Thank you Lorraine! I appreciate your kind words!
How clever . . . a drone! The gifts were so much fun (and the rats were funny).
Thank you!
This is lovely– what a delightful ending too! Love the message that giving can be the best way to lift everyone’s holiday spirits.
Thank you, Sarah!
Homes for the Holidays
Kelly Clasen
249 words
WOOF! YAP! MEOW!
How will all of these pets
find homes by Christmas?
It’s only five days away!
DING DONG DING!
With every doorbell ring,
Maisy, a shelter helper,
feels holiday hope soar.
Monday, Maisy’s teacher comes in.
Her twins adopt their first pets—
two rumble-tumble tabby cats.
Tuesday, Bubba the bulldog
melts a truck driver’s heart
with his snaggle-toothed smile.
And Wednesday,
three calicos,
two terriers,
and a bunny named Snowball
find forever homes.
By Thursday, all is calm.
Maisy’s smile is bright.
The shelter is empty.
It’s nearly Christmas Eve.
Maisy sings and sweeps when—
DING DONG DING!
In blows a lady with a Grinch-thin smile.
“We’re getting a new puppy, you see.
This dog is too old. Too slow.
Sorta smelly. Sam’s gotta go.”
The dog shuffles to the kennel.
Tears flood Maisy’s eyes.
All day, Sam ignores treats.
Squeaky toys. Maisy’s voice.
The sun sets in swirling snow.
Maisy sighs. She prepares to go
when—
DING DONG DING!
In blows a woman with a rosy-cheeked smile.
“My husband is so busy, you see.
And our house gets rather chilly.
I would treasure a companion.”
“We only have one and he’s—”
Sam gives the tiniest wag.
“Why, he’s so calm. And so bright!”
the visitor gushes.
“Oh, this dog is JUST RIGHT!”
Maisy can hardly believe it.
A home for Christmas!
As the happy pair
melt into the twilight,
Maisy collects the application.
Her breath catches.
Maisy twirls and kisses
the signature of—
Mrs. Claus.
Kids love pets, and so do I! This story reminds me of WHEN THE DOORBELL RANG. I love the ending and the feeling of excitement throughout the story.
I’ll have to add that one to my reading list. Thank you!
You so cleverly worked in words from the song, Silent Night. The ending was a wonderful surprise!
Thank you! 🙂
Kelly, WOOF, YAP, MEOW! is a fantastic holiday countdown story. Some of my favorite phrases: rumble-tumble tabby cats, Grinch-thin smile and rosy-cheeked smile (Mrs. Claus!)
Thank you for the kind feedback!
Lovely story and sweet twist at the end!
Thank you for reading, Sarah!
ENTRY POSTED FOR JEN
Five Magic Flights*
by Jen Keenan
Word Count 246
Hidden in the shadows
Beneath the Christmas tree,
Tucked away in back
Where nobody can see,
Fan’s favorite ornament
Dangles near the floor.
She hangs him there on purpose
To hide his magic core.
For only Fanny knows
Of his mystical delights.
Each winter, in December
He takes five magic flights.
This ornamental spirit,
Once miserly and mean
Had a change of heart
When his future was foreseen.
Now, in his afterlife,
Though he may be gone,
His charity continues,
His legacy lives on.
Providing hope and comfort
With alms for the poor,
This little magic spirit
Takes presents to their door.
With five flights before him
He visits children first.
Smiles will brighten faces
When playthings are dispersed.
With four trips remaining,
Spreading joy by stealth,
He leaves the sickly medicine
To give the gift of health.
With three more opportunities
To do a helpful deed,
He visits homeless shelters
With clothing that they need.
Now, with two flights left
Hunger’s on his mind.
He leaves the hungry nourishment
To benefit mankind.
One more flight awaits him,
The last one of the year.
It’s his final chance
To spread some Christmas cheer.
Loneliness is silent
And something he has known.
He takes bouquets and cards
To those who are alone.
Alas, his flights are finished,
Now it’s Christmas Eve.
Fanny is reminded
Of a single word: Believe.
Family gathers ‘round the tree
To sing a Christmas carol.
Fan’s ascendant listens
In his tiny Scrooge apparel.
*Inspired by A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
I love the use of rhyme and connection to the Dickens story. Very inspiring! Good luck!
My favorite line: Of a single word: Believe.
Lovely story!
ENTRY POSTED FOR SARAH
A MERRY BADGERED CHRISTMAS
by Sarah (Sezza ) Hetu
244 words
I caught a badger.
“I’ll call him Stinky,” I said.
“I’ll call animal control,” Mom said.
“No! Let me find him a home!”
“You have until Christmas, Peach.”
That’s four days….
I started at school.
“I’m allergic,” Johnny said.
“I already have a pet,” Lisa said.
“Badgers are ugly,” Thomas said.
No one wanted Stinky.
Three days left…
I went to the supermarket with the scouts. We collected canned goods for the poor.
I snuck Stinky along.
“Stinky would look great under someone’s tree!” I said.
The scouts peeked in the box.
They screamed.
Shoppers screamed.
The manager made us leave.
No one wanted Stinky.
Two days left…
My brother owed me one.
I knocked on his door.
“Yeah?” he asked.
“Give your girlfriend Stinky for Christmas,” I said.
“HA! You’re funny.”
No one wanted Stinky.
Except me.
I had zero ideas.
One day left…
I needed to research.
I stayed up all night.
Zero days left…
On Christmas morning, I was prepared.
“Did you find a home?” Mom asked.
“Yes,” I said. “Here.”
Mom frowned. “Badgers need food.”
“Worms and raspberries! A badger’s favorite!”
“Badgers need shelter,” she said.
“We have a broken bathtub in the garage. I’ll fill it with dirt. They love to dig.”
“Badgers are dangerous,” she said.
“Good thing I knit him these soft Christmas mittens!”
“Okay,” Mom said, “but only if you take care of him yourself.”
“WOO HOO! I won’t badger you at all!”
Day One begins….
I love the support for the Badgers. You created an excellent emotional connection. Good luck!
Poor badger. I guess he belonged in the bathtub all along.
This story made me smile. Great humor, action, and heart throughout.
But Why 44?
Tish’s Chanukah Candle Question
By Mara K Lansky
Word Count: 248
Tish asks “Why?”
“Why are there 44 candles in my box,
But only 8 nights of Chanukah?”
Momma pulls out the chanukiah.
Tish grabs the bowl of dreidels.
Poppa’s piano is ready for songs.
Night #1:
One candle to help.
One candle to light.
And seven more nights to go.
44-2
42 candles left
Night #2:
One candle to help.
Two candles to light.
And six more nights to go.
42-3
39 candles left
Tish’s candles glow.
Night #3:
One candles to help.
Three candles to light.
And five more nights to go.
39-4
35 candles left
Night #4:
One candle to help.
Four candles to light.
And four more nights to go.
35-5
30 candles left
Tish’s dreidels spin.
Night #5:
One candle to help.
Five candles to light.
And three more nights to go.
30-6
24 candles left
Night #6:
One candle to help.
Six candles to light.
And two more nights to go.
24-7
17 candles left
Tish’s menorah shines.
Night #7:
One candle to help.
Seven candles to light.
And one more night to go.
17-8
9 candles left
Night #8:
One candle to help.
Eight candles to light.
And no more candles to go.
9-9
0 candles left
Tish looked in the box.
They used all 44 candles!
Momma and Tish sing
Poppa plays his piano:
“Chanukah oh Chanukah come light the menorah!”
Notes:
Chanukiah- 9 branched menorah for Chanukah for 8 nights and one helper candle, a Shamash.
Chag Sameach: Happy holidays
I love the name Poppa. Poppa plays his piano . . . nice alliteration.
Where Did All the Latkes Go?
By Marla Yablon
WC:152
Ten homemade latkes fresh from the pan.
Papa looks in and says, “Oh, man!”
Nine sizzling latkes, almost too hot.
Daddy tries one and claims, “They’re not!”
Eight tempting latkes sit on a plate.
Sister walks by and shouts, “Can’t wait!”
Seven crisp latkes smelling so fine.
Brother comes in and yells, “That’s mine.”
Six yummy latkes really taste great.
Grandma’s so glad she’s not too late.
Five toasty latkes, still warm enough.
Baby grabs one and cries, “Goo stuff!”
Four cooling latkes look sort of lost.
Mama says, “Fine, I like them soft.
Three greasy latkes seem rather sad.
Cousin stops by, and says, “Not bad!”
Two soggy latkes lie all alone.
Dog snarfs one up. Better than a bone!
One lonely latke sits by itself.
Cat gives a sniff and jumps off the shelf.
Dog comes back. Who eats just one?
A great big slurp, and then there are none.
Gosh, this story made me hungry! Lol. Great job with this, and good luck!
Thanks so much!
Super title Marla, (Where have all the flowers gone is running through my brain)! Very cute, of course the cat passes the last one up, but dog comes back, wanting another one, lol! Good luck!
Thank you for your encouragement 🙂
I can envision family members coming in one-by-one to grab a latke. I think it’s funny the cat didn’t want one. Thank goodness . . . for the dog’s sake.
Marla, I enjoyed your yummy Latke countdown. Thank goodness for Dog to slurp on the last latke.
That’s one lucky dog. In our actual house, they disappear too fast for our dog to even get a taste 🙂
Making A Miracle
By Danna Zeiger
Word Count: 250
Emma only had five days left to finish.
With a careful plan, she knew
miracles were possible.
At Mom’s house,
Emma selected her favorite photos
while stroking Mitzvah the cat.
She smiled at each memory…
but as pictures printed,
Emma ran out of time.
So
Mom
brought
her
photo-printer
along
to Dad’s.
With four days left,
Emma laid her photos out on Dad’s posterboard
while cuddling Shnitzel the dog.
She started tracing her message…
but on the last line,
Emma ran out of time.
So
Dad
shlepped
his
stencils
over
to Mom’s.
With three days left,
Emma built blocks into the strongest structure,
with a purring Mitzvah in her lap.
Her design was coming together…
but before she could glue,
Emma ran out of time.
So
Mom
jogged
them
over.
With two days left,
Emma molded clay, shaping sharp points and
painting, a great miracle happened there.
“Let’s hope so,” Emma told Shnitzel.
She grabbed the paintbrushes…
but on the first brushstroke,
Emma ran out of time.
So
Dad
(carefully)
brought
his
paint
palette
over.
“It’ll be worth it, Dad,” Emma promised.
With one day left,
Emma finished
and left everything to dry.
And on that evening,
the first night of Hannukah,
a miracle did happen.
After swapping palettes, stencils, and printers,
Mom, Dad, Emma, Mitzvah, and Shnitzel
squeezed together arm-in-paw
lighting Emma’s Family Hanukkah creation.
The block menorah glowed.
The clay dreidel spun.
The poster highlighted their happiest moments.
Built in two homes,
but lit with
her
one
family.
I like the names of the animals! Nice message.
Zoey’s Tropical Christmas (249 words)
By: Allison Gray
“Guess what, Zoey? We’re going to Florida for Christmas this year! To visit Uncle Jim and Aunt Sue.”
“But there won’t be any snow, Mom! And I can’t wear my Christmas sweaters if it’s hot…”
“It will be different, but I’m sure you’ll find things you like there too.”
Zoey packed t-shirts, shorts, flip-flops, and even a swimsuit. It felt weird.
They drove south from Cleveland. Passing through mid-Ohio, she saw twelve chilly cows standing in a field. ‘She’d always leave out a cold glass of milk for Santa at home.’
In West Virginia, she saw eleven snowshoes sitting on a rack. ‘Florida won’t have a white Christmas.’
Driving through Virginia, Zoey spotted ten red cardinals! Cardinals don’t migrate south for the winter. ‘I envy the cardinals.’
Next, they drove past nine blue mountain peaks in North Carolina. She counted eight towering palm trees in South Carolina. ‘It is pretty down here…’
In Georgia, Zoey saw seven peach trees heavy with fruit. They stopped to buy some. It was like biting into a summer afternoon. ‘Georgia is delicious.’
“Welcome to Florida!” a sign read. Zoey’s parents cheered. They passed six green sailboats against a burning red sunset.
Zoey giggled at Florida’s Christmas decorations: five reindeer in swimsuits, all lit up.
She smiled at the next sign too, four alligators in Santa hats welcoming them to Kissimmee.
Three more turns and Zoey was inside, hugging two favorite people, beside one glowing Christmas tree.
The feeling of home was all around.
I bet Zoey will remember this Christmas forever!
SANTA AND THE SPECIAL BOYS
By
Una Belle Townsend
250 Words
A week before Christmas, a rare tornado hit the North Pole. Santa, Mrs. Claus, the elves, and the reindeer crowded into the basement. The tornado swirled around hitting the barn and workshop.
When it was over, Santa said, “Rudolph, check the barn. Robby, check the workshop. Please report all damages to me.”
A few hours later, Rudolph told Santa the barn had very little damage and the reindeer were repairing it.
Robby, however, had some bad news. “There’s plenty of damage, Santa. The elves are sorting through all the toys. They can make new ones and repair some, but many of the toys were destroyed. I found a big sack, but the tag is missing. It has jeans, boots, and hats in it.”
“Oh, no,” said Santa. “I forgot about that special sack. It’s for nine little cowboys in a Texas orphanage who were counting on new clothes for their Christmas play. What’s missing in their bag?”
Robby looked at his list and said, “Santa, I’ve looked all over the workshop and only counted
eight pair of jeans,
seven western shirts,
six cowboy hats,
five red bandanas,
four pair of chaps,
three leather vests,
two pair of boots,
And one shiny, belt buckle.”
“Robby,” said Santa. “Gather the elves, and put them back to work. We don’t have much time, but I need nine of each item. They’re special little cowboys. Throw in a stick horse, a sheriff’s badge, a lasso, some marbles, and some games for each boy, too.”
I could relate to this scene. I grew up in Tornado Alley . . . and around a lot of cowboys. Thank you (I mean Santa) for remember the orphans.
Laura, love your lively Christmas bauble countdown, especially how you created vibrant scenes with sound effects. Such a fun countdown to read aloud!
Thanks so much Mona! So happy you enjoyed it!
Lost and Found: A Christmas Tail, by Eleanor Peterson WC 244
On December 8, after decorating the Christmas tree and Nativity scene, Christina and Nonna rushed to join the festive procession.
As they sang and prayed, they sampled treats the brethren’s wives prepared.
A sumptuous feast awaited after mass.
“Can I have a dog for Christmas?” Christina asked Nonna.
“A dog needs a lot of attention and care.”
Christina sighed. “Can we at least visit the dog shelter and donate blankets?”
“It’s a good idea,” Nonna agreed.
As Christmas approached, Christina eagerly checked off her advent calendar.
Baking biscuits. Check.
Shopping for presents. Check.
Wrapping presents. Check.
Finally, the day arrived to visit the dog shelter.
Christmas music was playing while Christina gave treats to each dog. Only one stayed distant, covering his snout with a paw.
“Why won’t you come to me?” Christina asked, tossing a treat into his cage.
Christina visited every day, and a bond formed. She learned that Arno, like her, had lost his parents.
One day, Christina arrived to find Arno’s cage empty. Panic set in. “Where’s Arno?” she asked the storekeeper.
“Someone left the cage door open, and he escaped.”
Desperate, Christina searched the town but couldn’t find Arno.
Meanwhile, Arno, with a good sense of smell, found a familiar scarf in the snow.
On Christmas Eve, Arno was still missing.
Unable to sleep, Christina feared the worst.
Determined, she ventured out in the morning,
and found Arno sitting on her doorstep with her scarf hanging from his mouth.
https://eleanorannpeterson.com/susanna-l-hills-annual-holiday-contest-my-entry/
Love the bond between Arno and Christina!
Thanks Kiran.
What a lovely story – so glad Arno and Christina found each other in the end!
So glad these kindred spirits found each other.
Thank you Rose.
S-o-m-e-o-n-e needed to get a dog for Christmas. I’m glad Christina got Arno (love the name Arno).
Thanks Jill. Destiny I guess. Arno is a river in Tuscany.
Love the ending Eleanor! Arno is so sweet
Thanks Laura. Both have found each other, finally Cristina has a dog she longed for and Arno a home.
Hooray for Arno! Thank you for the smile today. 🙂
Thanks for reading and leaving a comment.
Santa’s Mega Hot Chocolate
By: Alicia Meyers
WC: 106 (Short & sweet, like chocolate!)
On the night before Christmas, Santa texted me.
“Can you make me a hot chocolate?
PLEASE!”
You see, Santa and I are real tight.
Ever since the first hot chocolate I left him
during the big snowstorm of ‘19.
With the chunkiest chocolate cookies, of course.
I grab his special mug,
warm up some milk,
and sing as I create
my holiday masterpiece.
“Ten spoons of chocolate,
Nine scoops of ice cream,
Eight splurts of syrup,
Seven festive sprinkles ,
Six chocolate chips,
FIVE MEGA MARSHMALLOWS!
Four pinches of nutmeg,
Three candy canes,
Two graham crackers crumbled,
And one swizzle of his favorite whipped creeeeeeeeeam.”
“Order up!”
So cute – “Santa and I are real tight”. Your words had me wondering if your parents indulged you in this tradition year after year – must have been a really big mug!
This is fun, Alicia. I can see kids really wanting to try this. Heck, I want to try it too. It would be such an excellent holiday sugar rush.
I adore your humor! This is great.
Very cute! I love that Santa sent a text!
Snowball’s Christmas Checklist
By: Kris DeCaro
Word Count 80
12 Cookies stamped with paws
11 Ribbons shredded with claws
10 Snowmen spotted yellow
9 Licked floating marshmallows
8 Ornaments rolled under the couch
7 Pounces that started in a crouch
6 Candlesticks knocked to the floor
5 Chewed on pieces of holiday decor
4 Wooly mittens stolen for a bed
3 Hairballs mixed with green and red
2 Sparkling Santa eyes glaring at me
The 1 naughty Christmas cat that climbed up the tree.
LOL! Love the naughty cat Christmas list! Perfect creative use of the prompt.
Snowball had his own checklist! Bravo to him for completing it! Very cute story Kris!
so lovely! This was fun to read!
Hahaha. Good one.
December Holidays Count Down!
by Jenna Grace
Word Count: 244
It’s time to deck the halls! Yes, it’s finally December. It’s the month when most count down.
But to what?
Do you remember?
10 gifts given for Saint Nicholas Day. He helped kids in need and those who often sailed away.
9 prayers of enlightenment to celebrate Bodhi Day. The time has come to be awake; no suffering today!
8 candles for Hanukkah, time for latkes and sufganiyot! It is time to chant and sing. It’s time to spin the top!
7 drums for Kwanzaa remind us to dance, recite, and sing. It’s a time for creativity and faith. What treasures might you bring?
6 Castilian roses for Our Lady Guadalupe; celebrate with bravado! Hooray for parades, fireworks, and raspados!
5 Christmas carolers singing songs of Santa and Baby Jesus, when we wake tomorrow, there will be presents there to greet us!
4 prayers for Zartosht No-Diso, a day of gratitude and reflection, a day to appreciate our lives and souls, past and present, with affection.
3 bags of presents for Boxing Day. A day for giving to those who have less; use what you have for helping and they and you will both be blessed.
2 planets, earth and sun, create Yule at year’s end. We hope for the return of light and life and make merry with our friends.
1 sparkly ball dropping oh-so-late, now we begin a whole New Year. So many things to celebrate; let’s give a great big cheer!
Oh, yes, the oh-so-late ball dropping . . . Loved this part.
Thank you!
A Train, A robot, and A Cookie Thief
By Amy Martinez
Word Count 250
Ten cousins, visiting.
“Come in,” Mom welcomed.
“Do you want to see my trains?” Anthony beamed.
Nine boys, arguing.
“I want a turn.”
“You just had a turn.”
“Nuh uh.”
“Hey, give it back.”
“Be careful,” Anthony worried.
Eight bodies, wrestling.
“Let me have it!”
“Ouch!”
“Get off me.”
“That hurt.”
“Let go!”
“Watch out,” Anthony shrieked.
Seven trains, broken.
Crash!
“Oh no!”
“Oops!”
“Sorry.”
“My trains!” Anthony cried.
Six fingers, pointing.
“Why did you push me?”
“It wasn’t me.”
“You were on my foot.”
“You stole the train.”
“That was mine!” Anthony sobbed.
Five heads, drooping.
“Oh man, look at this mess.”
“Sorry, I stepped on your foot.”
“Sorry, I didn’t give you a turn.”
“Sorry, we smashed your train.”
“Can we fix it?” Anthony sniffled.
Four craftsmen, gluing.
“Hand me those wheels.”
“We’ve almost got it.”
“There. What now?”
“This robotics set?”
“Could we add it to your train?”
“Sure,” Anthony agreed.
Three inventors, creating.
Whispering, they made a plan.
”I’ll connect the circuit.”
“Pass me those gears.”
“We need that pulley.”
“I’ll build the track,” Anthony giggled.
Two programmers, coding.
“Add another block.”
“Tell it to go down the track.”
“Now, stop and pick up our target.”
“Have it turn 180 degrees.”
“Then, come back here.”
“Okay, make this a loop.”
“Let’s test it out!” Anthony begged.
One mission, accomplished.
“There it goes, down the track.”
“It’s in the kitchen.”
“Over at the table.”
“It’s got the cookie and is heading back.”
“Best train ever!” Anthony grinned.
What a cute twist at the end!
Love it! The ending was lots of fun!
You captured cousin shenanigans so well and the title really pulled me in.
Fun, fun, fun, funny.
Oh . . . great title . . . pulled me right in.
Elf Olympics
by Bri Lawyer
Words: 207
Elves work hard throughout the year.
Making toys and feeding deer.
They bake the treats and prep the sleigh.
They hang the wreaths and light display.
But…
What do they do when jobs are done
And Santa leaves to have his fun?
Elf Olympics! Hip hooray!
Twelve hours for the elves to play!
Snowball bowling happens first.
Strikes and spares while snowballs burst.
Hot cocoa relay racing trips.
Spilling, splashing, stealing sips.
Nine hours left, still lots to do.
Like cookie curling with the crew.
Challenge course adventure time!
On ribbon ropes they swing and climb.
In wrapping wars, ties expected.
That’s a skill all elves perfected.
Six hours left of competitions.
Gymnastics time, assume positions!
Bobsled riding down steep hills.
Fast pace speeds bring thrills and chills!
Snowflake shooting from a bow.
Hit the bullseye down below.
Three hours left. Must cram ‘em in!
Stocking long jump must begin!
Candy canes as hockey sticks.
With gumdrop pucks thrown in the mix.
Jingle hurdles, hear them ring.
Elves start leaping while they sing.
One hour left!
The last event tonight will be…
Weightlifting a Christmas tree.
Winning elves receive their medals.
Crafted from poinsettia petals.
“Santa’s home!” The elves all cheer.
“Let’s get ready for next year!”
Love all the creative events!
Thank you!!!
This is so creative! I wish these games were televised 😂
🤣 Me too! I would watch it every year!
So clever and such fun! I can picture all the competitions in my head. I especially love the ‘cookie curling’.
Thank you! That was one of my favorites too! 😊
I LOVE this story Bri!!
Thank you!!! ❤️
Love this! I need to watch this. I need to see these games!
Thank you! Me too! 🤣
Fantastic, festive and fun!
Thank you!!!
Fantastic imagery.
Thank you!
Bri, so clever to imagine what the Elves do while Santa is delivering presents. Elf Olympics is original and fresh.
Candy canes as hockey sticks.
With gumdrop pucks thrown in the mix. And weightlifting a Christmas tree. So many scenes to illustrate.
Thank you so so much!!!
The most adorable Olympics! What a cute story Bri!
Thank you so much!!!
I love the elf Olympics. Such a funny idea! Great job Bri!
Thank you so much, Maria!!!
COUNTDOWN TO SNOW
by Christina Shawn
197 words
1 family wished for a giant first snow,
2 snowflakes appeared in the moon’s winter glow,
3 children had snow forts and sleighs on the brain,
4 fingers were crossed that it wouldn’t just rain.
5 sets of pajamas were worn inside out,
and they all went to sleep filled with more hope than doubt.
5 people awoke with a stretch and a yawn
to a frosty-cold, sparkling, snow covered lawn.
4 arms reached for jackets, pulled hats on their heads –
their feet tromped in boots and leaped onto their sleds.
3 snowballs went rolling: big, medium, small
Piled one on the other, and stacking up tall
2 hands sculpted-shaped, and gave a firm pat
Placed buttons, a nose, two eyes, and a hat.
1 mitten fell off – icy fingers, chilled skin…
Chattering teeth…
It was time to go in.
1 holler and everyone bounced toward the door,
2 sopping wet piles of clothes on the floor.
3 marshmallows bobbed in each hot, steaming cup,
4 feet near the fire to thaw and warm up.
5 rosy-cheeked smiles stretched wide – ear to ear
on this first fallen snow of their Happy New Year.
Great job, Christina! You have captured winter’s chill perfectly!
Haha! What a good guard dog 😉
Thank you, Michelle!
Wooops! My other comment went to the wrong place! 😂
This reminds me of waiting for first snow when I was little!! Love it, well done!!
Oh I’m so glad! There is definitely something magical about snow!
Well done! Who doesn’t love snow!
Thank you!
I love the count up, count down, count up again. Super fun! You captured the first snow of the year experience perfectly!
Thanks, Bri! I’m so glad you like it.
Nicely done . . . counting up . . . the THE countdown . . . then counting up again. Three distinctive scenes, vividly imagined in my mind.
Oh, thank you!
Love this Christina! We’ve definitely slept with inside out jammies wishin’ and hopin’ for snow in GA 😉
Yes, that is popular here in VA too. I’m so glad you enjoyed the story!
Follow the Star
by Judy Sobanski
WC-116 words
On a quiet, starlit desert night,
One lone star shines extra bright.
Two shepherds leave their flocks behind
to seek the Savior of mankind.
Three wisemen ride on camel’s backs.
Four donkeys carry all their packs.
Five beats echo from a tiny drum,
over and over— Pa-rum-pa-pum-pum.
Six doves settle in the stable loft,
cooing a lullaby, sweet and soft.
Seven piles of straw for a bed
where Mary, tired, can lay her head.
Eight olive trees stand by the inn,
swaying gently in the desert wind.
Nine cattle low in the distant hills,
then a baby cries and all is still.
Ten angels trumpet and voices sing
to herald the good news—
Jesus is King!
Wonderful countdown for the true meaning of Christmas! Well done, Judy! ~Lauren
You certainly created a beautiful scene.
Judy, this is such a beautiful Christmas countdown. Loved the soft lullaby feel to it ❤️.
12 MORE DAYS TILL CHRISTMAS!
By Thelia Hutchinson
WC-173
Only 12 more days till Christmas, and I can hardly wait.
11 more days till Christmas Eve when Santa heads our way.
10 more days of wishful wishing on the Christmas star.
9 more days of wrapping gifts to give to one and all.
7 more days of carolers singing joyful Christmas songs.
6 more days of Christmas treats…pies and cakes, yum yum!
5 more nights till Christmas and I can hardly sleep.
4 more nights of staying up late, just to fall asleep.
3 more days to sneak a peek at gifts under the tree.
2 more days of hoping for some snow on Christmas Eve.
1 more night, it’s Christmas Eve and Santa will soon be here.
Time for me to rush to sleep, for Christmas Day is near.
Hooray! Hooray! The day is here… Christmas has arrived!
And all that’s left are cookie crumbs and reindeer tracks…Oh my!
The tree is filled with lots of gifts… for each and everyone.
Let’s all rejoice and celebrate; cause Christmas has finally come!
Lovely, Thelia!
This is so fun to read and so sweet!! Great job, Thelia!
I had to giggle . . . 4 more nights of staying up late, just to fall asleep.
Sneaking a peek at gifts under the tree really hits home! Bravo!
Way to capture so much Christmas joy. Loved it Thelia!
Home for the Pawlidays
By Jill Lambert WC: 169
(To the tune of Santa Claus is Coming to Town)
It’s Christmas week, but I’m still here.
Could I come home with you this year?
Please make Christmas pawsome for me.
Every dog and kitty cat, too,
would love to snuggle at home with you.
But please make Christmas pawsome for me.
First, FIVE loud hounds are chosen,
FOUR boxers close behind,
then THREE sleek cats with rubber rats…
when will I be unconfined?
It’s Christmas Eve, but here I sit.
I won’t beg, but I won’t quit.
Please make Christmas pawsome for me.
I am polite and potty-trained now
and I’d be happy with any old chow.
Please make Christmas pawsome for me.
TWO frisky German Shepherds
are trotting out the door.
Why haven’t I been chosen
for a foster home before?
It’s getting late… ”No!” I groan.
ONE last dog, whines all alone.
Christmas won’t be pawsome for me.
But hark! I hear a voice call out–
“Any dogs left?” I squeal and shout.
Christmas will be pawsome for me!
Then after that … adopted? We’ll see!
Lovely – loved this Jill! Tugging at my heartstrings for sure! So happy he got taken out in time for Christmas, I was getting worried. Love your wordplay, Pawlidays, and Pawsome is awesome!
Thank you, Katie. I thought those paws would grab you! 🙂
Yes, they did!
You had me at your title, Jill! And what a unique rhyme scheme. Great job all the way around!
Thanks, Michelle! I had fun working on it.
What a pawsome story about pets being adopted, or fostered, around the holidays. Good luck Jill!
Thank you, Colleen! Best of luck to you, too!
Thanks Jill!!
I loved this! Sounds like a number-one hit to me—great connection to the song and heart.
Thank you for reading and commenting!
My favorite part . . . what a great selling point: I am polite and potty-trained now
Thank you, Jill!
I love the “pawsomeness” of this adoption story and glad the doggy gets his home!
Thanks so much for reading and commenting!
So sweet and clever! I enjoyed reading/singing this, Jill!
Thank you, Sarah. I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Paws for Concern
by Bri Lawyer
Words: 230
Santa left wrapped boxes
Underneath our tree.
Can this man be trusted?
Nuh-uh! No siree!
I’m the family guard dog.
I must keep them protected.
These gifts might be unsafe.
They gotta be inspected!
I open box fifteen.
A Nerf gun meant for shooting?!
Weapons in this house
Is surely worth disputing!
Box fourteen contains
A maze run with small balls.
That’s a choking hazard
For the one who crawls!
Stuffed cats in box thirteen?
Absolutely not!
Only dogs are wanted.
I guess St. Nick forgot.
The worst is in box twelve.
A leash that’s marked for me?!
I don’t think so, buddy!
I like running free!
That’s it! I’ve seen enough.
Box ten, box nine, box eight
Box seven, six, and five
All meet a frightful fate.
I chew box four right open
And find a bone inside.
Although extremely tempting,
Safety pass denied!
Box three, box two, box one-
Undies, soap, and socks.
These don’t look like much fun.
Why not trucks or blocks?
I chew and rip and wreck,
Until I see the sun.
My humans all awake,
And look at what I’ve done.
They don’t look too happy.
Of course they all are mad.
Each item Santa brought
Is dangerous or bad.
I wait for my reward-
A belly rub or two.
Without their trusty guard dog,
Who knows what they would do?
Haha, this one is so clever too. I’m so glad that family is safe now 🤣!
Thank you so much! They are lucky to have him!🤣
Haha! What a good guard dog!
🤣
LOL! This one is so fun, Bri!
Thanks Julie! 😊
Good job! Thank you trusty guard dog!
Thank you! ❤️
What a Christmas morning image you created…and what a good (?) dog! Love the canine POV!
Thank you so much!
So cute. That dog takes the job seriously. Funny entry.
Thank you so much!!!
This is such an adorable story! 🙂
Thank you so much!!!
The dog’s perspective is *chef’s kiss*
Thanks so much, Abby!!!
Love this! Very creative! And I love that the dog doesn’t get in trouble at then end. I can picture him sitting there so proudly!
Thank you so much!!!
Such a fun story! I often wonder what our dog thinks about all those gifts under the tree!
Well now you know. 🤪🤣
Love this one so much Bri! You know I can’t resist a good dog story! Great job!
The Christmas Cookie Countdown
By Stephanie Flom
Word Count: 239
RIIIIIIIING! Goes my alarm on a frosty winter morning.
I excitedly bounce out of bed.
“It’s Christmas cookie baking day!” I yell as I dash downstairs faster than a reindeer on Christmas Eve.
My family follows sleepily into the kitchen and we get started right away!
Dad turns on the oven, BEEP!
Mom adds the flour to our biggest bowl, POOF!
Grandma pours in the sugar, CRUNCH!
I drop the butter in, PLOP!
My brothers break the eggs, CRACK! CRACK!
Our dog licks up what we spill, SLURP!
We take turns mixing and whisking.
We dye the dough green and shape it into little trees.
Once the oven is hot, Mom slides the cookies in and we wait.
And wait.
And WAIT.
My mouth waters as I watch them bake through the golden oven window.
DIIIIING!
“They’re ready!” I announce.
TEN toasty and tasty Christmas cookies are set out to cool.
BUUUUUUT!
One got burnt and then there were NINE.
Grandma had to taste one and then there were EIGHT.
Mom and dad split one and then there were SEVEN.
I caught dad sneaking another and then there were SIX.
The dog darted past with a gleam in his eye and then there were FIVE.
My brothers each snatched one and then there were FOUR, no THREE.
“STOP!” I yell.
I quickly stash TWO away for Santa.
And then there was ONE for
ME!
Time to bake another batch!
“…as I dash downstairs faster than a reindeer on Christmas Eve.” I love this countdown, Stephanie! Best of luck! ~Lauren
Thanks Lauren!
Lol I love the ending!
Nice use of onomatopoeia (I always have to look up how to spell that word . . . tee-hee).
Super cute Stephanie! loved the slower pace at the beginning as we wait for the cookies and the way they quickly vanish! 🙂