Roses are red
Violets are blue
Valentinies rock
And so do YOU!
Woo hoo! The time has come for . . .
The 10th Annual Valentiny Writing Contest
~ for children’s writers ~
The Contest: Since writing for children is all about “big emotion for little people” (I forget who said that, but someone did so I put it in quotes!) and Valentine’s Day is all about emotion, write a Valentine story appropriate for children (children here defined as ages 12 and under) maximum 214 words in which someone feels WORRIED! They can be worried about something or someone, or for something or someone. They can worry about succeeding or failing, making the right impression or the wrong one. They can worry about something as big as love or as small as whether they have enough paper. They can worry about a person, an event, an activity, an animal, an art project, a performance. . . anything you like! Sky’s the limit! Just make sure it is clearly Valentine-centered and that worry is central to your story! Think beyond the obvious! Your story can be poetry or prose, sweet, funny, surprising or anything in between, but it will only count for the contest if it includes someone who is worried (can be the main character but doesn’t have to be) and is 214 words (get it? 2/14 for Valentine’s Day 😊 ) You can go under the word count but not over! (Title is not included in the word count.) If you are so inclined, you are welcome to enter more than one entry – just remember you’ll be competing against yourself 😊 No illustration notes please!
Post your story in the comment section below, between right now this very second and Friday February 14th at 11:59 PM Eastern. There will be no regularly scheduled posts for the duration of the contest (Tuesday Debut or PPBF), so the post and all of your entries will stay up for everyone to enjoy. You are welcome to also post your entries on your own blogs, but you must post them here for the judges! If you have difficulty with the comments, which unfortunately sometimes happens, you may email your entry to me and I’ll post it for you. Please copy and paste your entry into the body of your email and include your name, story title, and word count. No attachments, please!
I do my best to keep up with all the emails and other admin associated with running the contest, but I appreciate your patience if I don’t get things up right away. I promise I’m working on it! 😊 💕
The Judging: over the following days, my lovely assistants and I will narrow down the entrants to around 12 top choices depending on number and quality of entries which will be posted here and voted on for a winner as soon as we can get them up. The winners and Honorable Mentions will be announced a few days after the vote. (I’m not even going to try to hazard a guess on exact dates!)
Judging criteria will include:
- Kid-appeal/Kid-friendliness – remember, this is a story for kids!
- Creativity in using worry, and success in making us feel the worry! Worry must be central to the story line, not just mentioned briefly in passing in a story about something else entirely.
- Valentine’s Day appropriateness – this is a VALENTINE story and Valentine’s Day must be central to it!
- Quality of story – we will look for basic story elements and a true story arc
- Quality of writing – use and flow of language, correctness of mechanics, excellence of rhyme and meter if you use it, PROOFREADING!
- Originality – surprise us with something new and different! 😊
- How well you followed the Submission Guidelines – agents and editors expect professionalism. This is a chance to practice making sure you read and follow specified guidelines.
The Prizes: So many amazing prizes from such generous kidlit folks! Have a good look – it will motivate you to write your entry!
⭐️ Picture Book Manuscript Critique from Lydia Lukidis, accomplished author of UP, UP HIGH: The Secret Poetry of Earth’s Atmosphere (Capstone Editions, January 1, 2025), DEEP, DEEP DOWN: The Secret Underwater Poetry of the Mariana Trench (Capstone Editions, Augist 1, 2024), DANCING THROUGH SPACE: Dr. Mae Jemison Soars To New Heights (Albert Whitman, April 4, 2024, ), NO BEARS ALLOWED (Blue Whale Press, July 1, 2019) as well as more than 40 other titles for the trade and educational market, with GROUCHO THE GROUGHY GROUNDHOG: Pancake Problems (book 1) (Andrews McMeel Publishing, July 15, 2025) coming soon!
⭐️ Picture Book Manuscript Critique from Penny Parker Klostermann, talented author of 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? – as well as THERE WAS AN OLD DRAGON WHO SWALLOWED A KNIGHT (Random House 2015) and A COOKED-UP FAIRY TALE (Random House 2017) and the forthcoming SPIDER LADY: Nan Songer and Her Arachnid WWII Army (Astra/Calkins Creek 2025)
⭐️ Signed Copy of WRITE HERE, WRITE NOW! PLUS A 30 Minute Ask Me Anything with Rebecca Gardyn Levington, author of BRAINSTORM! (Sleeping Bear Press, 2022), WHATEVER COMES TOMORROW (Barefoot Books, Mar 7, 2023), I WILL ALWAYS BE…(HarperCollins, 4/15/25 – Available for Pre-Order Now), AFIKOMAN, WHERE’D YOU GO? A Passover Hide-And-Seek Adventure (Penguin/Rocky Pond, Spring 2024), LITTLE DREIDEL LEARNS TO SPIN (Scholastic, 9/3/24), WRITE HERE, WRITE NOW! (Capstone, 1/1/25 – Available for Pre-Order Now), FINDING FORGIVENESS (Macmillan/FSG, 8/5/25), SOME DAYS I’M THE WIND (Barefoot Books, Fall 2025), and LOOKING FOR LIGHT: A Shabbat Story (Macmillan/FSG, Fall 2026)
⭐️ Picture Book Manuscript Critique (no rhyme or verse, up to 1000 words) OR a Chapter Book Manuscript Critique (up to 5000 words) from Kizzie Hutcheson Roberts. Kizzi is the indie author of THE ELVES GO MARCHING (Elemental Ink, December 1, 2022), THE EGGS GO ROLLING (Learning Spark, February 16, 2023), and HARPER AND THE RAPTOR RESCUE (chapter book) (Learning Spark Educational Publishing, June 27, 2023)
⭐️ 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!
⭐️ A Picture Book Manuscript Critique (rhyming or non-rhyming) from Nancy Derey Riley, author/illustrator of CURIOSITY’S DISCOVERY (Rolling Prairie Publishing LLC, November 10, 2020), BUTTERFLY INN (Rolling Prairie Publishing LLC, May 25, 2022), YETI IN THE SERENGETI (Rolling Prairie Publishing LLC, May 30, 2023), and a new book due out next spring that is still hush-hush 😊
⭐️ Picture Book Manuscript Critique (fiction) OR 30 Minute Ask Me Anything – winner’s choice! – from Karyn Friedman-Everham, author of OTTER OUGHTA KNOW (Orchard Books, April 2, 2024)
⭐️ Picture Book Manuscript Critique or Ask Me Anything Email Chat from Donna Martin, creator of Storycatcher Publishing, and first rate author of picture books THE STORY CATCHER, THE GREAT POTATO RACE, HAILEY’S HATS, A BUMP IN THE NIGHT and A BARNYARD CHRISTMAS, as well as her middle-grade HISTORY’S MYSTERIES, a YA – LUNADOR, and others!
⭐️ 2 Fantastic Picture Books! A signed copy of CLOUDS IN SPACE: Nebulae, Stardust and Us by Teresa Robeson (MIT Kids Press, August 20, 2024) AND a copy of WHO’S WRITING THIS STORY?! (Creston Books, May 7, 2024) by Robin Newman!
⭐️ A 30 Minute Zoom Ask Me Anything with Cindy Williams Schrauben, author of THIS COULD BE YOU: Be Brave! Be True! Believe! Be You! (Cardinal Rule Press, April 1, 2022) and the forthcoming HANK’S CHANGE OF HEART (The Little Press, November 4, 2025)
⭐️ A Signed Copy of Jilanne Hoffman’s gorgeous A RIVER OF DUST: The Life-Giving Link Between North Africa and the Amazon OR A 30-minute Zoom Ask Me Anything (Winner’s Choice) from Jilanne Hoffman, talented 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) as well as THE OCEAN’S HEART forthcoming from Lerner in Spring 2026!
⭐️ A “Love Bundle” Consisting of a Signed Copy of LOVE WILL TURN YOU AROUND AND a Heart Pillow from the lovely and talented Mary Munson!!!
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
Now! Take heart and post your entries without a smidgeon of worry!
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 Valentiny Contest begin!
Happy Writing and Happy Valentines Day! 🩷💕🩷💕🩷
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. Hurting Hearts – Jude Westerfield
2. Punctured Romance – Donna Kurtz
3. Great-Grandma, Great Valentine’s-Day! – Donna Kurtz
4. A Happy Surprise! – Donna Kurtz
5. Love Comes In Waves – Katie Schwartz
6. A Safe Space For Valentines – Lauren N. Simmons
7. Humpty Dumpty’s Eggs-Cellent Valentine’s Day – Michelle S. Kennedy
8. An Icy Romance – Paul Kurtz
9. Big Party, Big Trouble! – Paul Kurtz
10. No Flowers? No Problem! – Paul Kurtz
11. Andy The Alpaca – S.J. Little
12. The Strawberry Cowboy – Emma Applegarth
13. Chicken’s Valentine – Poupette Smith
14. Smelly Valentines – Bethany Brodsky
15. Valentine’s Day For Della – Stephanie Mena
16. The Valentine Nuzzle – Danielle Render Turmaud, PhD
17. Creepy & Sweet – Heather Kinser
18. A Valentine For A Fish – Elizabeth Meyer zu Heringdorf
19. Elbow To Elbow – Bridget Magee
20. Art As Big As My Heart – Kiran Vazir Nair
21. Luna’s Valentine Surprise – Ian Rodrigues
22. But Roses Aren’t Red – Jessica Russo
23. What’s In The Box? – Jodie Houghton
24. Millicent Makes A Move – Jesse Anna Bornemann
25. Rumble Tumble Bumblebee – Lisa Carmody Doiron
26. Nuts About Each Other – Cathy Stenquist
27. Valentines Crafternoon – Rebecca Tronrud
28. Granny, My Valentine – Claire Lincoln-Gordon
29. I Dream In Red And White – Margaret Zotkiewicz
30. The Valentine’s Day Feast – Deborah Foster
31. Cupcakes And Slobbery Kisses – Sonja McGiboney
32. A Little Courage – Jany Campana
33.
34. Valentine’s Day Rocks – Mona Voelkel
35. A Pine Woods Valentine – Kelly Clasen
36. Blue Valentine – Kari Liska
37. No Worries, Wendi! – Jen Subra
38. Walter Worries – Elizabeth Volkmann
39. From A To V: A Valentine Story – P.J. Purtee
40. The Planets’ Party – Emily Roberts
41. Invisible Sheera – Barbara Senenman
42. Teddy Be Mine – Samantha Howard-Els
43. Lizzy In A Tizzy – Susan Elizabeth Schipper
44. Go Away, Worry Bird! – Rose Cappelli
45. Beatrice And The Worst Valentine’s Day – Lynne Marie
46. Brave On The Bus – Deborah Holt Williams
47. Wally Isn’t Worried – Melissa Johnston Miles
48. Valentines From Space – Kristin Falleroni
49. The Valentine Rock Hunt – Eleanor A. Peterson
50. A Sunny Valentine – Nicole Loos Miller
51. Plop! – Cari Chamberlain
52. Valentiny Search – Elizabeth Thoms Charles
53. Glow – Amanda Blaylock
54. Revolting Chocolates – Stephanie Flom
55. The Perfect Song – Emmie R. Werner
56. With Love, Evangelina-Mae – Kendra Lusty
57. Heart Words – Marilyn Wolpin
58. Valentine For My Family – Kara Williams
59. Don’t Worry About The Flurry – Kate DiMaio
60. Cupid Needs Help – Jamie Bills
61. Swamp Fever – Kathleen Jacobs
62. The Great Crushtastrophe – Emy McCarthy
63. Love Saves The Day – Corine Timmer
64. My New, Furry Love – Jenn Gaulding
65. Groundhog Love – Sherry Dubis
66. First Love – Kelly Kates
67. The Kaleidoscope – Seth Standley Mueller
68. A Love Like Bob’s – Jacinta Patterson
69. A Wish And A Worry – Julie Lerczak
70. My Valentine’s Day Worries – Betsy Bennett
71. V-Day D-Day – Laura Wippell
72. Hush Now Phoebe – Laura Rice Martinez
73. Que Sera, Sera, My Sweet – Shuba Mohan
74. An Octopus Apology – Susan Summers
75. The Mystery Gift Returns – Susan Summers
76. Phyllis’s Quivery-Quaking Valentine – Karen Opp
77. Will She Be Mine? – Marta Cutler
78. Tyler – Sue Ko
79. Happy Friends Day – Trine Grillo
80. The Perfect Valentine Gift – Priyanka Bertrabet
81. Chicken Little’s Valentine’s – Katie Schwartz
82. That’s What Squirrels Are For – Lori Dubbin
83. Secret, Secret Valentine – Michael Kokozos
84. First Love – Jen Summers
85. Valentine’s Day Road Trip – Elyse Trevers
86. One In A Million – Ellen Akemi Crosby
87. Anna Beaver And The Shining Heart – Elise Derstine
88. The Blank Heart – Jill Lambert
89. A Valentine’s Day Surprise – Catherine Rose
90. A Pebble For Penny – J. Buchet
91. Bonnie’s Valentines – Lizzie Dunn
92. Mandy’s Valentines – Una Belle Townsend
93. The Valentine’s Day Flu – Elizabeth Muster
94. Caty The Cactus – Katie Gigliotti
95. A Pirate’s Love – Andi Chitty
96. Valentimes Day – Lori Sheroan
97. A Valentine Bear – Penelope McNally
98. Will The Worrier – Marty Findley
99. Everyone Deserves A Valentine – Lucia Lemieux
100. The Last Linguini – Rella B Books
101. Glitter, Glitz, and Valentine Bits – Gabriella Keys
102. Jack’s Valentine Yarn – Jessica Iwanski
103. Worried Winds – Gabriella Keys?
104. Lil’ Wavey, The Worrier – Judy Hughes
105. Broken Hearts – Lisa Billa
106. Firefly Dance – Katie Dubay
107. Happy Valentine’s Day, Worry Wart – Sharon McCarthy
108. Who Will Be Grandma’s Valentine? – Lauri C. Meyers
109. Picture Perfect – Helen Lysicatos
110. A Paw-sitively Perfect Valentine’s Day – Tiffany Hanson
111. Love At Last – Teresa Speranza Vargas
112. Shakesbear Presents: Honey and Berry – Dawn Hauptner
113. A Valentine From For Chloe – Caitlin T. D. Robinson
114. What Color Is Love? – Marcia Dalphin Williams
115. First Day Valentine – Joanne Szeto
116. Love Gone Wild – Bri Lawyer
117. Who Stole Valentine’s Day? – Debbie Neuenschwander
118. A Valentine For Porcupine – Susan Corry
119. The Otter Valentine – Susan Burdorf
120. The Valentine Mouse – Anne Catliff
121. Adaline’s Valentine Box – Jessica Evans
122. Healing Hearts – Sarah (Sezza) Hetu
123. Not So Perfect Valentines – Rebekah Hoeft
124. Valentine’s Rules – Rachel Schiller
125. Moon-eyed – Hannah Gordon
126. Allergic To Love – RFREMMER
127. Cards Of Concern – Mike Flowers
128. A Very Junky Valentine – Dominic Plavny
129. V Is For Vulture, NOT Valentine – Rebekah Reaves
130. It Takes All Kinds – Webb Smith
131. Made With Love – Webb Smith
132. Sweet Teeth – Amber A. Novak
133. A Worrisome Mission – Nancy Ferguson
134. Please Make It Home – editingbydanielle
135. A Valentine For All – Jamie Kravetz
136. Don’t Worry About The Wrong Things – Linda Staszak
137. The Night Guard, A Sweet Tooth, and Love’s Unbreakable Bond – Amy Martinez
138. Heartfelt – S. J. Barratt
139. Furry Worries In Wood’s Hollow – Samantha Cora
140. Untitled – aliakirsch123
141. From The Heart – Morna Gersho
142. A Little Fairy Dust Always Helps – Linda Staszak
143. Clarissa Countpolis – Ana Kelly
144. The Missing Teddy Bear – RJCLARKEN
145. Nose Need To Worry – Samantha Howard-Els
146. Sweet Message Dilemma – Joan Leotta
147. Worried – Greg Beatty
148. Skeptical V-Day – Isabel Cruz Rodriguez
149. Valentines For Everyone – Jamie Kravetz
150. The Almost-Perfect Valentine – Susan Jakubowski
151. Dear Valentine’s Day – Liz Godfrey
152. Just Cute Won’t Do – Erin Lyons
153. Just Enough – Jessica Evans
154. Teddy’s Gift Of Art – Kimberly Zhuo
155. The Perfect Valentine Card – Deborah Dolan Hunt
156. Recipe For The Perfect Valentine – Anne Lipton
157. A Heart For Helena – KM Jesson
158.
159. I Am Not Good At Art And Crafts – Maritere Bellas
160. Vovo’s Valentine – Kayla Martinez
161. Love, Cade – Briana Caballero
162. Cupie – M. A. Caballero
163. The Day After St. Valentine’s – Alice Bianchi-Clarke
164. The Groundhog And The Airpig – Angela Martinelli
165. Cupid Versus Baby New Year – Susan Gleeson
166. Pennygirl’s In Love – Judy McGee
167. Sir Snacks-a-Lot Saves The Day – Amanda Fletcher
168. Lizzy-Loo McBride’s Valentine’s Dance Disaster – ere
169. Ramona’s Cookies – Carmen Castillo Gilbert, PhD
170. Unsweetened – Russell Wolff
171. Valentruck – Sarah Meade
172. Be Mine, Twine! – Sarah Meade
173. Found Acceptance – Laura Proven Croyle
174. I Can’t Read My Valentine – Alicia Meyers
175. Haiku For Two – Sharon Korzelius
176. Sheba’s Sweet Valentine – Barbara Lerman-Golomb
177. Sometimes We Argue – Elizabeth Bryer
178. A Fruitful Valentine’s Day – Shaunessy Sinnett
179. Just An Inkling, Valentine – Rainy Ostrom
180. Clever Caramel – Janelle Mikulas
181. Veer’s Worry-ful Valentine – Kay B Author
182. Jubilee’s Chiclickity Catastrophe – Julia Ruschmann
183. Cupid’s Conundrum – Katia Mykytiuk
184. Valentine Cuddle-fish? – Abby Kass
185. Love Squad – Maria Piñero Pope
186. Valentine Mix-Up – Christina Shawn
187. Cupid’s Worry – Bonnie Kloster
188. Bump, Bump, Vee – Vanessa Ireson
189. Sweaty Letty – Susan Hamlin
190. The Stinkiest Valentine’s Day – Ella English
191. Lily’s Valentine Fear – Amanda McIntyre
192. Cupid’s Big Day – Marty Bellis
193. Have A Heart – Cindy Rivka Marshall
194. Truffle Woes – Kate Chabarek
195. The Password To My Heart – Lauren Wu
196. Nuts! – Daniella Kaufman
197. Phishing For Valwntines – Alea Garbagnati
198. Lunchtime Worries – Linda Hofke
199. Zoo Love – Jennifer Tarr
200. Cupid Makes A Mark – Cindy Greene
201. Tea And Chocolate? – Tarja Helena Nevala
202. The Sweetest Friend Chip – Cheryl Simon
203. Love, Lily Lou – Sally Macaluso
204. Gravitational Crush – Dana Dillaman
205. Miss Muffet’s Sweet Treats – Shaunessy Sinnett
206. Val The Mail Snail – Griffin Taylor
207. The Memory Valentine – Jennifer Rathe
208. Too Many Valentines? – Maya Elson
209. Special Delivery – Angela Steffen
210. What About Waffles – Jared Bryer
211. Date Night – Rathi Munukur
212. Jenna’s Story – Dianne Borowski
Susanna Leonard Hill 
Valentine Mix-Up
by Christina Shawn
214 words
I made a special Valentine for my girlie-pop, Katie,
with sparkly red glitter and shiny pink hearts.
I wrote
Love, Rosie
in my fanciest swirly-curly handwriting.
I snuck it into her purple lunch bag.
But then Katie showed her NEW lunch bag.
PINK…
like my cheeks…
because now I don’t know whose lunch bag I put Katie’s Valentine in!
What if I accidentally gave it to Gary?
Or put it next to Mrs. Grunch’s tuna salad?
Or worse, what if Pete, with the stinky feet, thinks I wrote it for him?
Or nose-picking Nicky now wants to share snacks?
I can’t bear the thought of my fancy
Love, Rosie
falling into the wrong hands.
I pull my hood over my head and duck under my desk.
What luck! I see a poke of purple next to someone’s sneakers.
I dash to retrieve it and shove it in my pocket.
When I sit back down there’s a folded piece of paper, frayed at the edges.
I silently wish it’s from Katie, but it says:
To Rosie. Happy Valentine’s Day.
Love, Pete.
Oh no!
I guess it’s just me and my jelly sandwich…
But what’s that in my bag?
A box of candy hearts?
It says,
Love, Katie.
And there’s enough to share.
ENTRY POSTED FOR BONNIE
CUPID’S WORRY
By Bonnie Kloster
195 words
Cupid blinked, grabbed his bow, and let an arrow fly. KA-THUNK.
“I’m worried. I don’t see what I’m doing wrong,” wailed Cupid. “I just want to make someone
happy.”
“Keep practicing,” said Grams. “This will be your first Valentine’s Day.”
Cupid bit his lip, rubbed his eyes and tried again.
“Squawk, squawk, squawk,” protested Mama Bird.
“Are you trying to kill my babies?”
“I’m sorry, I can’t see what I’m doing wrong.”
Mama Bird puffed out her feathers. “Your aim is off,” she said.
So, Cupid went shopping for new arrows.
Bouncing on his toes, he squinted and let an arrow soar—up-up-up.
The sky turned from sunny yellow to dismal grey. Thunder roared. Lightening flashed.
Cupid’s hands shook. He clutched his quivering tummy.
“It was a great day until your arrow attacked me,” said Cloud.
Cupid pleaded, “Please don’t rain. I’m sorry. I’m worried. I can’t see—Cloud, that’s it.
That’s why my aim is off! I know what to do!
Adjusting his new glasses, Cupid said, “I can see!”
On Valentine’s Day Cupid stretched, picked up his bow and let an arrow fly.
ZA-ZING
He could see all the happy hearts.
what a cute Cupid! 💘
Bump, Bump, Vee
By Vanessa Ireson
214 words
Bump, bump, vee. Bump, bump, vee. Bump, bump, vee.
“Arrgh. This is too hard!”
Jace watched Sofie and Ahmed and Ellie and Blain filling their page with perfect purple or pink or red hearts. But his looked like a…squished bug. Or a half-eaten strawberry. Or a blob of leftover ketchup. His card was going to be the worst.
Miss Kaley said, “Don’t worry. Just make it with love.” But Jace wanted it to be perfect!
He crumpled his paper and started again.
Bump, bump, vee. Bump, bump, vee.
Two days until Valentine’s Day. More time to practice. He needed to get it just right.
He practiced with a stick in the snow.
Bump, bump, vee.
In the steamy mirror after his bath. In his mashed potatoes. With pebbles on the driveway.
On envelopes and sticky notes and paper scraps, he doodled and scribbled and traced.
So many bumps.
So many vees.
February fourteenth! Out of time!
Fresh paper. Red crayon. Big breath in.
Dear Mom.
Bump, bump, vee.
Love, Jace. Xo
“Sigh.” Kind of squishy. Not so pointy. But it would have to do.
“Happy Valentine’s Day, Mom.”
Mom beamed and hugged Jace tight.
“I’ve been finding your beautiful hearts all week! You sure know how to make someone feel special!”
Jace grinned. Perfect.
Love this story, it is super cute.
Super cute and very clever 🙂
Love this one. So many perfect details throughout.
I love this story…the Bump Bump Vee is so clever and love the snow and shower details!
ENTRY POSTED FOR SUSAN
SWEATY LETTY
By Susan Hamlin
210 words
Letty was worried because she didn’t have any friends at school.
At lunch, she wanted to talk to someone, but she was too shy.
At recess, she wanted to join the kickball game, but she didn’t know who to ask.
Miss Maple said, “Sara, why don’t you be Letty’s reading buddy?”
“OK,” Sara answered, but she did not seem happy about it.
“Here, you can have the beanbag chair. I’ll take the wooden chair”, I smiled.
Sara chose a book about Cupid because tomorrow was Valentine’s Day.
“What are you bringing for the class party?” I asked.
“Not telling”, Sara answered.
Letty wished she could be friends with Sara…or anyone!
As she walked home alone, her heart was beating fast as she thought about having to return to
school tomorrow and do it all over again.
Her palms were sweating as she made heart shaped cookies with her Mom.
She wiped away a tear as she made out her Valentine’s Day cards.
The next day, as she entered the classroom, Sara said, “I saved the beanbag chair for you.”
Miss Maple said, “What did you think of your first day at your new school yesterday, Letty?”
“I think I’ll like my second day much better!” she beamed.
So Sara wasn’t all that bad afterall.
Such an entertaining funny original story!
THE STINKIEST VALENTINE’S DAY
BY ELLA ENGLISH
Word Count: 212
PITTER-PAT went Pip the Gopher’s heart. Today was his Valentine’s Day tea party with Luna the Lizard. But that morning—uh-oh—Mr. Whiskers’ paw had poked through Pip’s roof. Now his burrow smelled like sun-baked tuna.
Pip scrubbed and scrubbed, but the smell wouldn’t go away.
“WAIT A WHISKER!” he squeaked. “How will Luna find my tunnel?”
From above, the gopher holes looked like a hundred and forty-seven polka dots on the meadow. How would she know which one was his?
His whiskers trembled like grass stems in the wind. The beetle-husk scones sat ready. The dandelion tea grew cold. He had to mark his tunnel for Luna.
Pip zipped above ground and scattered berries to make a trail. But three chubby gophers waddled behind, gobbling them up. MUNCH-MUNCH-MUNCH!
Back to digging up ideas.
Shiny rocks? Too dark. BONK!
ZING! Flower petals!
Pip tossed fragrant petals, creating a soft, sweet-smelling trail from the meadow, along the tunnel, and down into his burrow.
“I’ve looked in every gopher hole,” came a tired voice. “Oh! A petal path!”
“Luna?” Pip squeaked.
“What’s that smell?”
“Oh no, the tuna—”
“No, silly! Strawberries! And beetle-husk scones? My favorite!”
Pip’s heart BOOMED like a happy drum. Sometimes, the trickiest problems lead to the best KAPOW surprises.
I love the odd couple pairing of Pip the Gopher and Luna the Lizard and Pip’s ingenuity in creating a petal path for Luna to follow. Simply sweet!
Cute characters and creative details! Love the beetle husk scones!
Lily’s Valentine’s Fear
By Amanda McIntyre
210 Words
Valentine’s Day was looming, and everyone was excited about the big celebration at school. There would be games and fun activities to commemorate the day. Lily loved Valentine’s Day and the joy it brought, but this year, she felt worried.
Lily had created a special Valentine card for her best friend, Ben. She had painted beautiful hearts, added glitter, and written a sweet poem. But as the day approached, she couldn’t shake the feeling that Ben might not like it. What if he thought it was silly?
The night before Valentine’s Day, Lily barely slept. She tossed and turned, imagining all the ways Ben might react. Would he be angry, embarrassed, or upset? The next morning, with her heart pounding, she headed to school, clutching the card tightly in her hands.
When it was time to exchange Valentines, Lily hesitated. Her hands trembled as she handed Ben the card. To her surprise, Ben’s face lit up when he opened it. “This is great, Lily! Thanks so much,” he said with a big smile. To her surprise, he handed her a card too!
Lily’s worry melted away. Valentine’s Day turned out to be wonderful, and Lily pondered why she had almost allowed her worry to ruin it. She wouldn’t again.
You effectively captured Lily’s Valentine’s Day angst and wrapped it up with a happy ending. So glad her valentine was well received. A very relatable story!
Cupid’s Big Day, 211 words
Marty Bellis
Cupid sagged into his chair, exhausted.
He couldn’t fly another mile or launch another arrow.
He’d aimed to spread love, believing in it with his whole heart.
But one day was all he had, and it just wasn’t enough.
He’d asked his friends for help, but Easter bunny had eggs to color, leprechaun had shamrocks to tend. And Santa was still napping.
Had he made a difference?
With a worried sigh, Cupid flipped on the television, as
a booming voice declared,
“Breaking news. This just in! A remarkable spirit of goodwill is being reported.
Dogs and cats, birds and mice are playing together in harmony. No hissing, growling, biting, or scratching!
And instead of causing trouble, bullies helped out their classmates and teachers today.
Most amazing of all, brothers and sisters refrained from squabbling.
They shared toys. They took turns.
No grumbling.
No pouting.
No shouting.
Just laughter.
Good deeds and kindness prevailed everywhere!
It seems that love has taken over our world!”
The voice continued, but Cupid no longer heard.
He was fast asleep, a smile on his face.
His work was done . . .
at least until the effects of those arrows wore off.
Then he’d have to figure out his next move. But that was a worry for another day.
What the world needs now is…Cupid! Love the other holiday characters sprinkled in this feel good story, even if it is only a temporary truce. Fantastic!
Oh please let Cupid be real! Love the goodwill. And the list of all our favorite characters being busy with other things.
Thanks, Jill, for your kind comments. Glad you enjoyed it!
I love this, Marty! So clever. I loved the references to the other holiday characters, and the examples you chose for kindness (the dogs and cats playing). It made me smile.
Thanks, Laura. Appreciate you taking time to comment and love that it made you smile!
Nice mash-up, I enjoyed the read. Good luck.
Thank you so much, Eleanor!
A clever take on Valentine’s Day and Cupid!
Thanks, Rose!
HAVE A HEART
by Cindy Rivka Marshall
210 words
Sylvie imagined the gorgeous valentines she would make for her classmates. But every time she drew a heart the lines wiggled, and the shape squashed. Sylvie’s cheeks flushed as sheet after sheet of red paper lay crumpled on the floor.
Willa, her younger sister, watched. Willa did not speak with her voice. She waved her hand at Sylvie.
Sylvie shook her head, “I’m busy!”
Another sheet of failure joined the heap. How would she ever make twenty valentines?
Willa tapped her sister’s arm. Sylvie took a deep breath. “What?”
Willa held her two hands out flat, then hinged them together.
“Fold”? Willa nodded. “Fold the paper?” Yes.
Willa pointed to her ear.
“Ear? No! I need a heart!”
Willa traced the outside of her ear with one finger, then pointed at the paper.
“Draw an ear?” Yes.
Sylvie drew the shape of an ear along the folded edge.
Willa handed her the scissors. “Cut?” Yes.
Sylvie cut along the pencil line.
Willa opened her hands like a book. “Open?” Yes.
Sylvie unfolded the cutout paper and there it was: a heart. Sylvie smiled.
She wrote a message on the red heart and gave it to Willa.
“I listened to you. I opened my heart. Be mine, Valentine.”
Willa nodded. Yes!
Such a sweet scene and well-drawn characters! And the minimal dialogue says so much!
thanks!
Conveys so much!
This is lovely!
Wow! This story is a keeper! I love the bond between Sylvie and Willa.
thanks very much!
TRUFFLE WOES
By Kate Chabarek
123 words
Rushing down the sidewalk,
Quarters ready
Through the door,
Drugstore lights steady
Pink cellophane, chalky candy hearts,
I couldn’t choose, so I filled two carts
My sweetheart is never picky,
Orange crème, marshmallow-sticky
So many hearts, so little time,
Gummy hearts, chew them up, bright candy shine
Peanut butter, red-hots, hearts in their prime,
I’m asking you to please be mine.
At last, I say, I’ve chosen one,
I’ve narrowed it down, I’ve got to run
To the counter I do stride,
Coins a-jangling, full of pride
Open it up, under the lid
This is what I chose—
“The Password to My Heart” by Lauren Wu
WC: 208
I spent all night writing the perfect Valentine.
I chose every word with care.
I even drew the card by hand on my tablet. Using just the right colors, fonts, and pictures to make Warren smile.
But it’s all wrong. Each choice; everything is wrong.
Will he like the joke I made? He loves computers. So will he understand that I was trying to make him laugh?
“We have a secure connection.” That’s funny, right?
I mean, we’re friends. Just friends. For now.
Should I send it to him before school or after? Before; no, after. No, before.
Should I print it or message it? Message, of course. Right? Yes, message.
The battery on my tablet is low and I can’t find the charger. I’m supposed to be asleep so I can’t look for it.
That’s ok. I’m almost done. I just need to put the finishing touches on the card.
Wait…my tablet is dying.
Oh no! It’s dead.
What am I going to do? The world is going to end if I don’t get this done. I’m so upset.
My phone pings. I pick it up and I see a message from Warren. I open it and…
“You’ve got the password to my heart. Happy Valentine’s Day!”
Ahhh! Sweet and modern. Lovely title and ending.
NUTS!
by Daniella Kaufman
Word Count: 188
Freddy hugs his valentine,
a box of chocolates from the store,
with tons of flavors—great for Mom!
She likes a mix, except . . . for . . .
NUTS! Oh no! He didn’t ask!
He’d only thought of being sweet.
What if—gasp—inside the shells,
are fillings Mom would never eat?
A frenzied, frazzled Freddy needs
a plan that leaves no room for doubt.
So, one by one, he takes a bite
to sleuth the nutty horrors out.
CRUNCH—disaster! Hazelnut.
He throws the truffle in the can.
A plain vanilla should be safe—
unless . . . it’s really marzipan!
Mocha? Mmm. Jelly? Joy!
Cashew? Curses! Walnut? Woe!
Fudge? Fantastic! Cherry? Cheer!
Pistachio? Pistachi—NO!
He chews the final piece and frowns.
Is coconut a nut or fruit?
He chucks it, wipes his tongue, and turns,
in time to see his mom en route.
Heartbeat pounding. Love abounding.
Fred presents his gift. “From me!”
She peeks inside, then tilts her head,
as Freddy adds, “They’re all nut free!”
His mother hugs the box and grins.
“A thoughtful valentine, sweet kid!”
As Freddy sighs, relieved, he spies . . .
the flavors written on the lid.
NUTS!
OMG I snort laughed at the end of this. Love it!
Hilarious! I loved the end!
So much fun!!
Hehe! I enjoyed reading this; it made me smile so much!
Fantastic; love the humor. And can just picture the whole thing. Great job!
LOL The wordplay is nutty fun! Love his sweet worry and wild actions.
“Pistachio? Pistachi—NO!” ♥♥♥
Loved this story!
PHISHING FOR VALWNTINES
by Alea Garbagnati
Words: 214
Valentines Day was Nigel Prince’s favorite holiday. He wanted to make this year extra special and make his own cards, signing each “ – N. Prince”.
His friend Shelly liked playing pirates and searching for treasure, so he wrote:
“Great riches await you if you’ll be mine.”
Veronica was the fastest runner he knew, so he wrote:
“Quick! Check yes to be my Valentine!”
Tommy loved puzzles, so Nigel drew him a maze puzzle and wrote:
“Help, Valentine, I’m frozen and can’t get out!”
Geoff loved scary stories, so Nigel wrote:
“Return my Valentine or you’ll be cursed forever!”
And so he went until he made cards for his whole class. He dropped each one into their boxes.
He waited and waited and waited and waited.
At the end of the day, there were no cards for him.
Nigel was sad and a bit worried. Did he say something wrong?
His mom asked him why he was upset.
“I made special Valentine’s cards for my friends and no one sent me anything. I think I made them mad.”
His mom laughed. “Sweetie, they didn’t send you anything because today isn’t Valentine’s Day.
Tomorrow is.”Nigel was relieved. He also felt a little silly.
And at school the next day, he got cards from all his friends.
Personalized cards, great idea. I’m sure his friends appreciated them.
Lunchtime Worries
by Linda Hofke
WC: 213
Ding-Dong! Lunchtime. Ryan grabs his bag and heads to the cafeteria. All I have to do is find a place to sit alone.
He almost reaches the back corner when he hears, “Hey. You’re new, right? You can sit with us.”
Oh no he thinks but takes a seat.
“Thanks. I’m Ryan.”
“Rob.”
“Miguel.”
“Lorenzo.”
Ryan smiles. It’ll be okay. I just won’t eat. He pulls out his drink and takes a sip.
“I like baseball and fishing,” says Miguel. What do you like?”
The four boys chat and all goes well until…
Lorenzo asks, “You forget your lunch, Ryan? Want some grapes?”
“Here,” says Rob. “You can have half my PBJ.”
Miguel notices the lunch container sticking out of Ryan’s bag.
“You too nervous to eat? It’s okay.”
“Don’t worry,” says Lorenzo. “We like you.”
Ryan takes a deep breath. “It’s not you that worries me. It’s…my lunch.”
“What?”
“I’m sure my mom packed something embarrassing, like every Valentine’s Day.”
Lorenzo laughs. He pulls out a slip of paper from his lunch. “My dad gives me a joke. Every. Day.
They all laugh.
Ryan isn’t worried anymore. He unpacks his lunch. Heart-shaped pizza, olives, and strawberries. He holds up a small Valentine: Olive you berry much!
In unison, the boys say, “MOMS!”
Poor kid, he must be in middle school. I love the ending.
thanks, Eleanor. And yes. This year I’ve gone out of my comfort zone and written for the older age range
Zoo Love
By Jennifer Tarr
WC: 208
Mole Rat crumpled his card. His drawing was smudgy. The right words wouldn’t come.
His paws tingled. His throat lumped. Mole Rat knew how the other animals viewed him. Wrinkly. Squicky. Dinner (that was Badger).
What if Mole Rat’s Valentine saw him the same way? What if she laughed at him?
Mole Rat’s card had to be perfect.
He paced back and forth.
Mole Rat wished he were brave like Lion. When Mole Rat’s Valentine visited Lion, Lion pranced right up to her and beamed.
But Mole Rat wasn’t Lion. He never left his cozy burrow.
Mole Rat paced some more.
In the distance, Mole Rat heard his Valentine giggling at Elephant’s trumpeting.
Mole Rat wished he were playful like Elephant. But Mole Rat wasn’t Elephant. He mostly scampered through tiny tunnels.
Mole Rat’s stomach grumbled. That meant his Valentine was coming soon.
He imagined her snickering. His chest tightened. He paced and paced.
Mole Rat still hadn’t decided on a new card when the door opened. “Snack time!” his Valentine called, offering him a tuber.
Mole Rat crept forward, leaving an anxious pattern in the dirt behind him.
“A heart!” said the zookeeper, looking at Mole Rat’s paw prints. “Happy Valentine’s Day, Mole Rat!”
And it was.
Original setting and characters. Good luck.
CUPID MAKES A MARK
By Cindy Greene
WC: 174
‘Twas Valentine’s Eve,
Cupid started to fret.
The disaster of last year
was hard to forget…
His arrows went haywire –
ricocheted, flew.
They hit the wrong targets
and landed askew.
Bears became smitten
with dumpsters and rats.
Cows fell for scarecrows,
and owls wooed bats…
Cupid was worried –
he’d practiced a lot,
but still it was clear
he took terrible shots.
On Valentine’s morn
Cupid took out his bow
He aimed with precision
And TWANG!
Yipes!
Oh no!
No matter his effort
his shots went awry.
As they boomeranged, bounced,
Cupid wanted to cry
He hid in the shrubs
feeling shame and defeat,
‘til he heard loud “meows,”
“arfs,” “woofs” and “tweet tweets.”
Some dogs, birds and kitties
had found common ground!
They were lovingly playing
and running around.
Foxes and rabbits
shared amorous looks,
and hesitant readers
had passion for books.
“Fantastic,” thought Cupid.
“they’re getting along,
So maybe my misses
weren’t totally wrong.
Still maybe next year
when it’s time to change hearts,
I’ll relinquish my bow…
…and instead enjoy darts.”
Clever! Especially love the ending…cupid with darts would make a hilarious illustration!
So cute and love the idea of creating passionate readers (as well as all the other mix-ups). Made me wonder where else those arrows should go!!
This is a clever take on Cupid worrying. Good rhyming, and I like the ending too!
TEA AND CHOCOLATE?
By:Tarja Helena Nevala
212 words
The mailbox clanked shut.
“Nothing,” Millie said as she turned to walk away. “Ella has forgotten. I wonder why.”
Millie bit her bottom lip.
It was not like Ella to forget to write … forget Valentine’s Day!
Last year they sipped tea, ate chocolate, and shared silly poems. They laughed until their sides hurt at Ella’s poem and pretended to cry when Millie read hers.
The girls made a pinky promise to be BFFs.
Then, Ella moved.
Before the move, the friends met every day. Saturday afternoons were reserved for the writing club. They played piano duets on Sundays. It was Ella’s idea. She is talented. Her parents wanted her to go to a famous school for music. That is why she moved!
And— that is when Millie’s life turned b-o-r-i-n-g.
Why hadn’t Ella written? It is so NOT her!
“I’ll check again” Millie said to herself as she peered inside the mailbox.
There, deep inside … something pink … reaching … stretching … she got it!
Millie tore open the envelope.
Hi Millie!
See you on Valentine’s Day.
Tea with chocolate?
I have a week off from school.
I wrote a song about us.
Your BFF,
Ella
A horn beeped.
Ella waved a heart-shaped box of chocolates out the back window.
BFF, Sweet story with a happy ending.
Thank you, Eleanor.
Tarja, love your story of BFF’s, especially the ending! Love that they write together and play duets on the weekends! Best of luck in the contest!!
Thank you, Mona.
A VALENTINE’S FRIEND CHIP
BY Cheryl Simon
209 WORDS
Chocolate Chip was the happiest ingredient in the bakery.
After all,
he was the yummiest,
the most popular,
and could blend with anyone.
Mixing into cookies, brownies, cakes…
he made everything sweeter.
Chocolate Chip was busy baking up a plan for a new Valentine’s treat.
Suddenly, the bakery door burst open!
“What are YOU doing here?” cried Chocolate Chip.
“It’s crunch time!” yelled Potato Chip.
“I’m here for the new Valentine’s recipe. You can always count on me in a pinch.”
“How many times have I told you, I’m the only Chip in town!” said Chocolate Chip, looking worried.
Potato Chip loved to blend the rules.
“Trust me. A salty sweet combination is a legend in the baking.”
Chocolate Chip started melting. “I can’t take the whisk. Everyone loves sweet treats.”
“Fry and stop me!” crunched Potato Chip, as he took a bag of potato chips and threw them into the gooey pot of melted chocolate chips.
Chip worried that his Valentine’s recipe was ruined.
But the damage was done.
He gave it a taste and…
It was love at first bite!
Sometimes you need to mix it up to make the world a butter place, he thought.
A new friend-chip was born and it couldn’t have been sweeter.
I love all the wordplay! And now I’m hungry.
Super sweet and clever.
I love all the fun wording!
This is so much fun. I love the word play.
Ha! This is so great.
Fun . . . from the title to the end.
LOVE, LILY LOU
By: Sally Macaluso
(WC: 213)
“This set contains twelve cards.”
What, twelve?!
Oh no… that can’t be right.
There aren’t enough Valentine’s for my whole class!
I need thirteen by tomorrow!
What am I going to do?
I wonder if the store has any left?
7:30?! Mom will never take me there this late!
How about I cut these cards in half?
Whoops, I ruined the pink hearts! I can’t use these now!
Are there any chocolates left in the pantry that I can give out instead?
Nope, Dad ate them all! I’ll talk to him about that later!
Maybe I should just stay home from school tomorrow.
But, then I’ll miss the Valentine’s Day party!
I have to think of something.
I can’t show up empty-handed.
That wouldn’t be very fair… or very nice.
Wait, I’ve got it! I’ll check my craft bin.
I’m sure I have the stuff to make things right.
Pink, purple, and red sheets of paper!
These are good.
Sequins, stickers, markers, googly eyes, and glue.
These are good too!
This is everything I need to make gifts from the heart– new homemade cards with special messages for each of my classmates.
I’ll start with my best friend Maxine. She loves turtles!
Dear Maxine,
You’re turtle-y awesome! Happy Valentine’s Day!
Love,
Lily Lou
I’m sure she’ll be up all night creating Valentine cards. Good luck!
Yes, absolutely! She’s making sure to personalize each and every one!
And good luck to you too! 🙂
Cute . . . love the ‘googly eyes.’
Thank you! 👀 ☺️
GRAVITATIONAL CRUSH
By Dana Dillaman
WC: 214
“Step away from the twinkle-lights.” My best friend Xara eased the tape from my hands. “Seriously, Auri, everything looks perfect.” Strings of red lights glittered over the porthole in my family’s space station cabin. “Viv’s gonna love you—I mean the party.” She winked.
I nudged the cupcake tray three degrees starboard. “But, telling her I like her at a Valentine’s party?”
Xara rolled her eyes. “If you don’t, I swear to UY Scuti I will.”
“The biggest star in the universe doesn’t care if I chicken out.”
“Well, I’m tired of hearing you whine.” Xara started the music. “What’s the worst that could happen?”
I noticed the cupcakes first. “No, no, NO! Not the artificial gravity fuse again! Mom just fixed it!”
I flailed helplessly while my perfectly planned party floated into chaos. Cupcakes left purple frosting splotches on the ceiling and walls. Drinks and glasses parted ways midair, sparkling red with lights that now waved like bioluminescent tentacles.
Just then our friends opened the door and cheered. “Antigravity party!” Viv glided to me.
“It’s all a mess.” I sniffled, my heart the heaviest thing in the room. “It’s—”
“Perfectly awesome.” Viv grabbed a cupcake from beside my head and presented it to me. “Just like you. Will you… be my Valentine?”
So original! Love the heavy heart line.
A superb submission for the science fiction fans! Adore this!
Sci-fi valentine’s day, I love it!!
Chaos reined, or maybe it rained a mess. Your out of this world setting was a good choice.
I loved your happy ending.
Judy
Thanks, friends!
So different! Nice.
Miss Muffet’s Sweet Treats (211 words)
By Shaunessy Sinnett
“I’m bringing pudding and pie,” said Georgie Porgie.
“I KNOW!” Miss Muffet said, pacing. Tomorrow was the Sweet Treats Valentine’s Brunch, and she had nothing to bring. “The Queen of Hearts will bake tarts, Jack Horner always makes a Christmas pie… Peter Piper packs pickled pepper pastries… What am I supposed to do with curds and whey?! It’s cottage cheese! It’s like the LEAST sweet, LEAST Valentine-ish food in the world! I’m practically Old Mother Hubbard!”
“Don’t worry! I have an idea!” Georgie smiled. “Do you know the Muffin Man? Who lives on Drury Lane? I bet he has a recipe for you!”
“That’s genius! Let’s go!”
***
At the Sweet Treats Valentine’s Brunch, Muffet and Georgie sat beside the Muffin Man exchanging valentines and sweets.
“Miss Muffet,” he said, “your heart-shaped blueberry muffins were delectable. Cottage cheese added so much moisture… and protein!”
“You really saved me,” Muffet said, “I was worried I couldn’t bake something sweet enough!”
“Sometimes life’s sweetest surprises come from unexpected ingredients.”
“Thank you, Muffin Man.” Miss Muffet smiled while opening a Valentine.
“Be Mine?” read Muffet. “Who’s this from?”
“From me,” said the spider, who sat down beside her, and… well, you know the rest. It was unfortunate that Miss Muffet’s worries weren’t through after all.
Such a clever use of familiar characters and I love the ending.
Awww, thank you for reading it!
Love these nursery rhyme references! You’ve really brought Miss Muffet to life here, well done! And poor girl…that dang spider just had to make an appearance, didn’t he?
Thank you, Amanda! 🕷️🕸️
LOL so much fun! I enjoyed reading this and my children enjoyed hearing it and sang along at the Muffin Man part. 🙂
🥲 Your message brightened my day! Thank you for reading, and thanks to the children for listening!
Brilliant! So fun and engaging, kept me wondering how it was going to end up the whole time! A winner in my eyes!
A thousand thank-yous! 💕🧁💘🍰
This is such a fun story. Loved the ending.
Thanks soooo much!
This is fantastc! Loved the ending. Good luck.
Thank you so much!
Val the Mail Snail
by Griffin Taylor
Word Count: 211
Santa delivers packages.
The Easter Bunny: eggs.
Cupid…arrows?
So, what about mail?
Not regular mail, but letters without stamps: secrets, love notes, Valentines.
Every day, Val delivers thousands of notes. And on Valentine’s Day—millions!
Val’s a tiny snail with a stressful job.
Wearing a heart-shaped shell that spirals pink and red, Val travels just past the speed of sight along her trail of magic mucus. She zips, zooms, and WORRIES!
“What if I don’t deliver these Valentines in time? Or my shell cracks?”
But this gastropod’s most terrible fret:
“What if nobody sends me a Valentine?!”
Val’s shell shakes! She can’t recall receiving any last year. Unfortunately for snails, memory isn’t their strong suit.
“I can buy myself flowers…” Val tries convincing herself. Blushing, she remembers the job that must get done.
Val slides undetected into classrooms, lunchboxes, and jacket pockets around the globe: Ethiopia, Brazil, and…
GULP!
…France.
Reeking of chocolate and perfume, she finally arrives home.
And nervously peers inside her mailbox.
No Valentines!
Tears trickle down tentacles. Val longs for a slug-hug.
“I’ll…just…eat…my…FEELINGS!” she cries, digging into a leaf pile.
“Yuck! These leaves taste…”
GASP!
“Someone’s trying to poison me!”
Val spits out a mouthful of…
“VALENTINES!”
And Val stops worrying…
…momentarily.
Ah! Thank goodness someone thought of Val in the end. I love this sentence:Tears trickle down tentacles. Val longs for a slug-hug. Good luck!
Charming and fun!
A snail ‘mail man’ . . . so cute. I giggled at so many lines.
ENTRY POSTED FOR JENNIFER
The Memory Valentine
By: Jennifer Rathe
Word Count: 214
This Valentine had to be perfect.
Sophie studied her supplies. Colored paper, fancy scissors, and three colors of glitter glue. But nothing to make this valentine special.
Sophie needed to bring a smile to Grandma Bev’s face, unlike at Christmas when Grandma only stared at Sophie’s card.
Grandma Bev had changed. She no longer called Sophie by name. She spoke in short phrases. When she couldn’t find her words, she sometimes yelled.
Still, Sophie’s family visited every Sunday.
Sophie’s determination grew. How could she help Grandma remember?
Sophie recalled Grandma telling stories about gathering eggs and playing on the swings as a kid. Now at each visit, Grandma asked multiple times, “Has the garden been watered?”
An idea sparked. Sophie cut a large heart and sketched – a chicken coop, swings, and garden. She colored and cut.
After rummaging through a scrap drawer, she found the finishing touch. Sophie glued lace around the heart’s edges. She closed her eyes. Would Grandma remember?
On Valentine’s Day, Sophie set the Valentine in Grandma’s lap.
Grandma Bev felt the lace. A smile tugged at her lip. “Just like the flower dress I wore to school.” She ran her hand across the pictures. “I loved swinging and being in the garden.” Joy danced in Grandma’s eyes.
Today, Grandma remembered.
Tears swelled in my eyes as I read this.
Thank You!
Sweet, sad, sensitive, and hopeful. I enjoyed reading this.
Thank You!
Very touching!
Thank you!
Such a sweet and touching story.
As an aside, my mother’s name was Bev (Beverly) and she had Alzheimer’s. The only difference was she never commented about the past but this story made me think about her.
Hugs! And Thank you. Keep your favorite memories close to you. 🙂
Touching.
Too Many Valentines?
(183 words)
By Maya Elson
So many friends, so many valentines.
So much fun to make.
Hearts for Harper.
Jokes for Jasper.
A flower collage for Violet.
Glue and beads,
Paper and glitter,
Popping off the page
and bursting out of envelopes.
And on and on…
And up and up…
So many valentines, so many friends!
Fill up my backpack.
Fill up this bag.
And this bag, too.
Load up my arms with these loose ones…
I didn’t think this through.
How will I make it to school?
Balancing, clutching, carefully shuffling –
I worked so hard on these
What if something happens to my valentines?
What if a dog knocks my bags down?
What if the wind swirls them into the sky?
What if they bend or rip or crumple or…
What if… it RAINS?!
Uh oh. Oh no!
Hurry, shuffle, avoid that puddle
Almost there, almost there…
Splash. Splat. Sob!
Into the classroom with my soggy valentines.
“I’m sorry friends – I tried.”
But they jump up anyway.
They hug me all around.
“Even wet, they are so beautiful!”
“Even sad, we love you, too!”
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Ahhh, sweet, Maya. All that worry for nothing.
Lovely! My favorite line is “Even sad, we love you, too!”
So much fun imagery!
Soggy valentines . . . now those will be remembered. Good job.
Title: Special Delivery
Word count: 209
By: Angela Steffen
Rosie sprang out of bed excited for the big Valentine’s Day party at school. As she flung open the curtains, her mouth dropped.
“Snow!” she screamed. Rosie dashed downstairs where her mother gently delivered the NOT so good news.
“Rosie, school is cancelled.” Rosie wilted. With watery eyes, she plopped herself down on the floor and asked, “But what will I do with all my Valentine’s Day cards and scrumptious chocolates? Nobody will get them now.”
“Don’t worry,” her mother replied, “I’m sure you’ll figure something out.”
Frantically racing around the house Rosie asked her Cat, Hershey, her fish, M&M and her parakeet, Dove if they wanted the gifts. All ignored her and went on with their day.
“Who can I give these to?” she bellowed. As she looked up, she saw her mail carrier, Mr. Hart. “I’ve got it!” she shrieked as she waved to him. She filled her backpack with the gifts and tagged along with Mr. Hart, who was secretly enjoying her company. House by house, they crunched through the crisp, white snow and Rosie delivered her gifts to her neighbors. With one gift left, she tapped Mr. Hart’s hand, “Happy Valentine’s Day, Mr. Hart,” she smiled. With gleaming eyes, he replied, “Happy Valentine’s Day, Rosie.”
So sweet! Good luck!
Ingenious litle girl. She saved the day.
What a great image . . . her tagging along with the mailman. So cute.
I love this story…the Bump Bump Vee is so clever and love the snow and shower details!
Jenna’s Story
What About Waffles – By Jared Bryer
WC:214
“What about Wiffles?” I asked as I changed into my pajamas.
“It’s fine, dear,” mom answered.
But it wasn’t fine.
The entire time Dad read a story, and even when he kissed me goodnight, I couldn’t think of anything else. I had forgotten Wiffles.
I had written Valentines cards for everyone I could think of: the kids in class, Grandmas and Grandpas, Mom, Dad… even the Dentist. But not Wiffles. My poor dog would be cardless on the loving-est day of the year.
I couldn’t sleep. I lay there wishing I’d saved even a scrap of paper.
At school the other kids filled my mailbox. I wondered if I could scratch my name off one and put Wiffles’ instead. No. He’d know.
That night, Mom served spaghetti and meatballs. It was delicious, but I hardly tasted it. Wiffles sat below me, sadly wagging his tail.
“I’m sorry Wiffles,” I said.
Then it hit me. On the face.
I had leaned on my fork, and like a tiny catapult it had hurled a meatball into my head. He food hit the floor with a splat. Before I could say anything, Wiffles gobbled it up. I gave him another.
“Happy Valentines Day, Wiffles,” I said. It was better than any silly card… Besides, dogs can’t read.
Yes, dogs can’t read but I’m sure he enjoyed the meatballs.
Aw, cute! Real kid worries for sure. Great lesson too, to give someone what they would actually like.
Hahaha . . . the last line!
Date Night
(214 words)
– Rathi Munukur
“What’s that?”
“Date night means that daddy and I… just the two of us are going out for dinner tonight.”
“Who’ll feed me?”
“Aunt Rama is coming home.”
“Yay!”
I like Aunt Rama. She makes silly voices when she reads. I can’t wait to show her my new favoritest book.
But… will mommy and daddy be ok without me?
Did they remember to take a book to read?
I check mommy’s purse. I put a book inside.
Who will keep them entertained? I add crayons.
Who will take them to the bathroom? I start getting into the purse.
“Viransh?”
“Aunt Rama!”
“Hi sweety… What are you doing?”
“I’m going with mommy and daddy on date night!”
“That means I’ll be all alone here!”
“Oh! but.. but..”
“Awww… Don’t cry, sweety! Stay… I have lotsa fun things planned for us.”
“But my mommy and daddy will be all alone.”
“What shall we do?”
I see Aunt Rama’s sad eyes. I look at the book bag by her side. Then I spot the chocolate cake she brought.
I make my decision. I march over to mommy and daddy. I teach them… everything.
I wave goodbye as they leave. I hope they paid attention. But just in case, I had slipped my favoritest book into mommy’s purse.
Awww, this is so cute! I wonder if this was inspired by a true story? …
The innocence of children. I was worried for a second that she would tag along. Thank goodness auntie had a chocolate cake.
marvelous viewpoint!
This is a unique perspective, of the kid worrying about the parents.
agree
I like this line: I like Aunt Rama. She makes silly voices when she reads.
That child will remember that forever.
Jenna’s Story
by Dianne Borowski
211 words
“Tomorrow’s Valentine’s Day,” said Jenna’s little brother Tim. “I’m so happy. I like getting cards and candy.”
I wish Valentine’s Day would go away and just disappear! said Jenna.
I’m so sorry, Jenna,” said her Mom!
Jenna ran outside and slammed the door behind her!
Jenna’s teacher, Mrs. Parker, chose Jenna’s essay, “What Valentine’s Day Means to Me’ to be read tomorrow at the Valentine’s Day Assembly. Jenna was afraid she might make a mistake and the whole school would laugh at her. Jenna didn’t sleep well that night and woke up with a headache. She was irritable when she got to school. When it was time for the assembly Jenna felt afraid. When her name was called Jenna went up to the microphone and began to cry. Principal Adams came over to Jenna with words of encouragement. Jenna took a deep breath and began.
“On February 14th three years ago my dad lost his life in a plane crash. He was stationed in another country and was delivering special medicine to sick children. I’m so proud of my dad’s courage and bravery. He was a soldier who died helping others live.”
When Jenna completed her speech the entire audience stood up and cheered. Jenna was happy. She said, “Thanks dad!”
Aww, poor Jenna. So many emotions in this one; a real tear jerker!!
Thanks! I just got it in under the wire. I appreciate your comment!
I am so glad to see that Jenna is happier at the end of the story and very proud of her dad. Thanks for sharing this lovely story!
Thanks! I’m glad you liked my entry and appreciate your comment!
Impactful. I hope this isn’t true. The worry and the love come through for sure.
Aww, happy birthday! Raising my mug of kumquat tea to you!
Hmm, sorry! Looks like I left my comment in the wrong place! 😜
No Problem!
Nice job! Filled with emotions!
Thanks so much! I appreciate your comment!
Thank you!
Thanks to you, too! I appreciate your comment!
Hi Eleanor! Great story! Pebbles and a note❣️
What a nice take on the prompt.
Thank you for the kind words!!😍💕💘
The last sentence says it all. Lovely!