Are you floored?

I hope you’re floored!

Because look at this!

In an unprecedented feat of organization, motivation, and caffeination 🤣 we have completed our evaluation and are posting the finalists for the Holiday Contest ONE WEEK – that’s SEVEN DAYS! – after the contest closed!

Unheard of! I know!

Clearly some kind of Holiday Magic is at work, since we have never completed the judging this promptly before (and probably never will again! 🤣)

But the holidays are upon us and we all have lots going on and need to get to it! So how awesome is it that I can present the fabulous finalists to you RIGHT NOW?!

I know because the word count is longer it’s a little more reading than usual, so please let me say how very much I appreciate you taking the time to do so for all our fantastic finalists! I think you’re really going to enjoy them all, though – it will be well worth your time! 😊

I will say THANK YOU to everyone who wrote an entry, took time to read other people’s entries and leave supportive comments, shared the contest with friends and family so that all our talented writers could get more readers, is taking the time now to read and vote, and who generally helped to make the contest so much fun, but I’m going to skip reiterating the judging criteria (you can check for it HERE) and save all my usual difficulty-of-choosing stuff for the winners post on Monday so you can get right to the entries! 😊

Please read through the following 12 entries and vote for your favorite in the poll below by Sunday December 17th at 6PM Eastern so I can announce the winners on Friday! As always, I encourage you to share today’s link everywhere you want so that as many people as possible can read these stories and vote, but please do not attempt to influence the voting in any way. It is supposed to be based on merit, not on who can get the most people to come vote for their entry because they’re your friends and relations or they owe you for that time you babysat their goat 😊 If you’re a finalist, please don’t broadcast that on social media – just ask people to come read all the entries and vote for their favorite.

Special Note: for the first time in contest history, we have 2 finalists (#2 and #5) with the same title, so please be sure if you choose one of them that you vote for the right one!

So here we go! Your 12 Finalists for the

13th Annual Holiday Writing Contest

~ for children’s writers ~

1 – FIRST MINUTES OF CHRISTMAS

Ten doves cooed from overhead.
Nine cows shared their manger bed.
Eight mice heard the baby cry.
Seven shepherds watched nearby,
Six bright angels sang with joy.
Five lambs gamboled to the boy.
Four tall camels gobbled hay.
Three kings trekked from far away.
Two folks whispered, “Hush-a-bye.”
One star glittered in the sky.
Now, pray for children everywhere,
That they may rest in love and care.

2 – COOKIES FOR SANTA (#1 – Ellie)

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.”

3 – MAKING A MIRACLE

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.

4 – OH CHRISTMAS, WHERE’D YOU GO?

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?

5 – COOKIES FOR SANTA (#2 – Max the dog)

Ten baked cookies stacked on a tray.
They’re for Santa on Christmas Day.
Nine carrots lay near the cookies, too,
Treats for Rudolph and the reindeer crew.

Santa won’t mind if I taste one,
Just to check if the cookies are done.
Max, my dog, begs for a few.
So, I toss him a carrot to chew.

Nine cookies plus milk in a cup,
Mmm, so tempting, I could eat them up.
Max loves carrots and reindeer do, too,
He begs for more. What should I do?

A carrot for Max, a cookie for me,
That’s still eight cookies under the tree.
Freshly baked cookies smell like heaven.
I eat another. That still leaves seven.

The chocolate chips melt in my mouth right away.
They’re gooey and chewy and yummy that way.
I eat one more cookie and leave Santa six.
Max crunches a carrot; he slobbers and licks.

A cookie for me, a carrot for Max,
Five cookies left with five carrot snacks.
Eight tiny reindeer plus Rudolph make nine!
If I break five carrots in half, we’re fine.

Max gets the extra carrot to chew.
I eat three cookies and leave Santa two.
I jump into bed feeling proud of myself,
Leaving the goodies near the tree on a shelf.

Christmas day there’s a cookie by the tree,
With a note from Santa, a thank you to me.
“Tim, you are thoughtful, and it shows that you care.
I left you one cookie. I wanted to share.”

6 – THE JUST-RIGHT CHRISTMAS TREE

Shouts of “TIM-BER!!!” echo through the forest.

All alone, a balsam tree shivers in the peppermint air. Maybe this is the year she’ll be chosen. But with three days until Christmas, time is running out.

The flutter of feather-soft wings, and a chickadee alights on her branch. He places several twigs in the crook, flitting away to gather more.

“Shoo!” the tree scolds. “I need to look just right today!”

But the chickadee pays no mind, settling gratefully amongst the evergreen limbs.

“Alright, but only for now,” the tree sighs, watching the sun sink behind sugar-snow hills.

Two days left.

Morning brings the sound of rustling below: a rabbit clearing dry space near the tree’s roots.

“Find someplace else!” the tree begins to say. But then she notices the rabbit shivering as he works.

“Well, perhaps just for tonight….”

Christmas Eve – and the final day. The pitter-patter of tiny feet wakes the tree as a chilly mouse scurries up her trunk, happily wriggling into a hollow.

“Tomorrow is Christmas!” the tree says mournfully. “I’ll never be chosen when I look all wrong.”

But she hasn’t the heart to shoo the poor mouse away.

That night a freezing rain falls. Sheltered in her branches, the animals remain safe and warm.

Christmas dawns cold and bright. The rain leaves icicles delicately dripping from the tree’s branches, like thousands of sparkling lights.

She has never been more beautiful. And as she gazes around her, she finds that everything is just right after all.

7 – PETE’S LUMP OF COAL

300 million years until Pete gets his lump of coal,
it’s still a mix of gooey plants inside a muddy hole.

200 million years until the big surprise for Pete,
the plants are slowly changing from the pressure, earth, and heat.

100 million years until Pete’s stocking gets a pour,
the coal is underground beneath a roaring dinosaur.

200,000 years until Pete learns if he’s been nice,
the coal is waiting peacefully while mammoths trudge through ice.

One hundred years until Pete’s gift falls out and rolls around,
the lump of coal is mined from deep beneath the rocky ground.

Just fifty years until Pete learns he’s earned a lump of coal,
the lump is put in storage at the planet’s northern pole.

The second Pete receives his coal, he whoops a mighty cheer:
“Wa-Hoo! That Santa read my list!! I’ve been so good this year!”

The minute after Pete’s surprise, he shows his mom and dad.
“This present traveled all through time! Best gift I’ve ever had!”

8 – COUNTDOWN TO SNOW

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.

9 – HOMES FOR THE HOLIDAYS

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.

10 – A CUP OF FLOUR, A DASH OF SALT, AND A SPRINKLE OF HOPE

“This must change,” said Baker Lou.
“Our town is too divided.
They’ve come from all around the world.
Their viewpoints, many-sided.”

“Throughout the days of Advent,
I’ll lure them to my shoppe,
by baking all their recipes.
On Christmas Day, I’ll stop.

“By then, they’ve met and mingled
with cookies, cakes and rolls
My hope’s they’ve found some common ground
connecting through their souls.”

So, Baker Lou began his plan
with tarts December third,
and Scottish shortbread on the fourth.
Folks tasted; spread the word.

The fifth he baked the Danish Kringles–
apple and pecan.
The sixth he made Biscotti,
then France’s macaron.

He had to add, through Hanukkah,
the jelly donuts too.
As weeks went by and townsfolk heard,
the lines of patrons grew.

The countdown nearly over,
he pushed to stay awake,
then finished off with Africa
and Malva pudding cake.

Although he knew the neighbors came–
the first part of his plan–
he wasn’t sure they took the time
to meet their fellow man.

Because his mission wore him out,
from hairline down to toes,
without one speck of Christmas prep,
he slept, still in his clothes.

Awakened by the smell of pie
and voices from outside,
he found his tree all decked in lights.
His door stood opened wide.

A man said, “Thank you Baker Lou!
You’ve helped our town unite.
We’ve each brought dishes dear to us;
we’d love to share a bite!”

11 – ELF OLYMPICS

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!”

12 – ALWAYS WORTH THE WAIT

Rosie and Birdie snipped another link from their countdown chain. It felt like forever ago that they’d pasted the twenty five pieces of paper together.
“Only three more days!” They squeaked in unison. “We’re not ready!”
They painted pictures of reindeer and snowmen to hang on the walls.
“So he’ll know we’re excited,” explained Rosie
“So he’ll see we’ve been thinking about him,” added Birdie.
Their parents grinned.

“Two more days!” Rosie and Birdie screamed the next day. “We’re not ready!”
They cleaned their rooms and organized their shelves.
“So he won’t trip on anything,” explained Birdie.
“So he’ll feel comfortable and at home,” added Rosie.
Their parents beamed with pride.

“One more day!” Rosie and Birdie’s eyes grew wide.
They rolled and cut out sugar cookies, decorating them with care.
“So he’ll have a sweet treat,” said Rosie.
“And won’t go hungry,” added Birdie.
Their parents wiped crumbs from their chins with a wink.

That night, the girls snuggled under their blankets. “We’re ready,” they whispered. “He’s going to be so surprised.”

In the morning, glistening snow covered their neighborhood.
“It’s beautiful,” said Rosie,
“But will he still be able to make it for Christmas?” Birdie asked quietly.
Their mom smiled, a gleam in her eye.

Just then, the front door opened. Rosie and Birdie threw their arms wide:
“GRANDPA!” they shouted with glee, wrapping him in a big hug.
“My girls!” He replied, with a tear in his eye. “You’re always worth the wait.”

WOW!

Now YOU get to enjoy the agony of decision as you try to choose which of those amazing entries to vote for!

Please vote for the entry you feel deserves to win in the poll below by 6PM EST Sunday December 17th.

Tune in Monday December 18th to see THE WINNERS!!! – same bat time, same bat station 😊

THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH! for taking the time to write (if you did), read, and vote!  These contests simply wouldn’t be what they are without all of you!

I truly cannot wait to see who you choose as the winner!  Good luck!!! 😊

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! 😊