Cross Your Heart! – The 11th Annual Valentiny Contest Is HERE!!!
Roses are red
Violets are blue
Valentinies rock
And so do YOU!
Woo hoo! The time has come for. . .
The 11th Annual Valentiny Writing Contest!!!
~ for children’s writers ~
Since our posting days for the Valentiny Contest this year are February 13th and 14th, and February 13th falls on a Friday. . .
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 feelsSUPERSTITIOUS! Think of all the things kids are superstitious about – Friday the 13th, sidewalk cracks, black cats, broken mirrors, ladders, four-leaf clovers, lucky pennies, lucky charms, a rabbit’s foot, ladybugs, the number 7, crossing your fingers, knocking on wood etc., or even something that your individual, original character is superstitious about for their own reasons (as long as you let us know what and why), and choose one (or more!) that could affect your character – negatively or positively! – as they navigate their Valentine’s Day experience . . . anything you like! Sky’s the limit! Just make sure it is clearly Valentine-centered and that superstition 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 superstitious (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 Saturday February 14th by 11:59 PM Eastern. There will be no regularly scheduled posts for the duration of the contest (Tuesday Debut or PPBF), so this post and all of your entries will stay up for everyone to enjoy.
The Judging: over the following days, my lovely assistants and I will narrow down the entrants to around 12-14 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 superstition, and success in making us feel the superstition! Superstition 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!
Get Your Manuscript on the Editor’s Desk!
⭐️ A Picture Book Manuscript Read and Critique from Michele McAvoy, Founder/Publisher, author and all-around #kidlit champion at The Little Press!
Michele McAvoy is a multi-award-winning children’s book author, publisher, attorney, and educator from New Jersey. While Michele wears many hats, they all point towards a single goal, bring entertaining and meaningful stories to kids. Michele’s published titles include Willa the Werewolf (The Little Press, Sept. 15, 2023), Buckingham Gets A New Shell (The Little Press, June 9, 2026), Cookie & Milk (Cardinal Rule Press, October 1, 2019), and Toby Undone.
Kathy Halsey, children’s author, is a former English teacher and K-12 school librarian with an M.Ed. in Curriculum and Supervision who coordinated 15 successful school visits. She is the founder of Ask Infowoman: A Library Consult, a service for children’s authors and illustrators designed to make school visits more fun, instructive, and engaging. She is the author of Be A Rainbow (KiwiCo Press, 2023)
⭐️ AFree Admission Ticket to Rosie Pova’sMarch or April Workshop + A Breakthrough Consultation With Rosie for unagented and unpublished PB writers! The Breakthrough Consultation with Rosie is a one-on-one session with her, designed to help the writer identify and overcome any challenges they’re facing—whether it’s related to story craft, manuscript submissions, finding an agent, building an authentic author brand, or strengthening their online presence. During your session, Rosie will help them pinpoint what’s holding them back and create an actionable plan to help them move forward!
Rosie J. Pova is an award-winning, multi-published children’s author, poet, and writing coach. Her books include Sunday Rain, featured in The New York Times, The School of Failure, a Readers’ Favorite silver medalist, and her latest title, Sally’s Musical Tale. She is also the founder of Picture Book Author Academy, where she mentors aspiring authors toward publishing success. In addition, Rosie hosts monthly workshops with agents and editors, offering exclusive learning and submission opportunities for the kidlit community.
Rosie J. Pova
Zoom AMAs + !
⭐️ A 30-min Zoom AMA PLUS A Signed Copy of The Littlest Solstice Tree from talented author Lisa Varchol Perron! Do you have questions? Chat with Lisa!
Lisa Varchol Perron is a children’s author and poet based near Boston, Massachusetts. She especially enjoys writing about our natural world, including in her most recent picture books, The Littlest Solstice Tree(which began as a Holiday Contest Entry! 😊) (Beaming Books, Sept, 23, 2025), Wonder Why (HarperCollins, April 15, 2025), and All the Rocks We Love(Rise x Penguin Workshop, July 16, 2024), and Kite Day (forthcoming from Penguin Random House, April 21, 2026)!
⭐️ A 30-minute AMA Zoom chat with accomplished author Jolene Gutiérrez! Do you have questions? Chat with Jolene!
⭐️ Winner’s Choice of a signed Picture Book w/ Swag, Query Letter Critique, OR 3 Pitch Critique from gifted author Jilanne Hoffman!
Jilanne Hoffmann is the author of the award-winning picture book A River of Dust: The Life-Giving Link Between North Africa and the Amazon,illustrated by Eugenia Mello (Chronicle Books, July 25, 2023); two board books The Honey Bear Hive and Happy Camper (Amazon Editor’s Choice); and the nonfiction picture book The Ocean’s Heart, illustrated by Khoa Le, forthcoming from Millbrook Press (March, 2026). HeartLand, her historical middle grade novel in prose/verse, is forthcoming from Little Brown (July, 2026).
Picture Book Manuscript Critiques!
⭐️ A Picture Book Manuscript Critique (Historical NF) from author Sharon Wilson! (apologies – no images available or provided!)
Sharon teaches picture book and basic novel writing at her local tech schools and colleges as well as at local libraries. She has an adult historical novel and juvenile historical novel on submission. She won first prize in the Oklahoma Federation of writers annual contest for both middle grade historical novel and adult historical novel and has won either second or first prize every year for each picture book that I have entered since 2014. She takes great care with her in-depth critiques.
⭐️ A Picture Book Manuscript Critique from author Gabi Snyder!
Gabi Snyder is a fan of the unexpected and the celebrated author of several picture books including Two Dogs On A Trike (Harry N. Abrams, May 19, 2020), Listen (S&S/Paula Wiseman Books, July 13, 2021), Count On Us: Climate Activists From One To A Billion (Barefoot Books, Sept. 20, 2022), Today (S&S/Paula Wiseman Books, Jan. 30, 2024), and Look (S&S/Paula Wiseman Books, April 16, 2024). Gabi studied psychology at the University of Washington and creative writing at The University of Texas. When she’s not writing, she loves taking nature walks, visiting Little Free Libraries, and baking sweet treats. She lives in Oregon with her family.
⭐️ A Picture Book Manuscript Critique (fiction, no rhyme) PLUS A Copy of Each of her Picture Books from authorKris Tarantino!
Kris Tarantino is a children’s book author whose writing is filled with humor and heart. BedSlime Blues is her second book (WaterBrook/PRH, 2/3/2026). Her debut picture book, Be My ValenSlime (WaterBrook/PRH 2023), illustrated by New York Times bestselling illustrator Cori Doerrfeld, received a Starred Review from School Library Journal. A third book in the Slime series is planned for 2026. Kris is a member of SCBWI, and speaks frequently at conferences and schools. Most recently, she was selected to participate in the 2025 Storyfest literacy day in San Antonio, Texas. And in 2024, she was picked as a faculty presenter for the All Texas Y’all SCBWI Conference. Kris holds a B.A. in Business, Marketing, and Art. Prior to writing children’s books, she worked in marketing, licensing popular entertainment characters for companies that make fun products like toys, books, and balloons. You can find her online at https://kristarantino.com, as well as Twitter/X, FacebookLinkedIn
⭐️ Winner’s Choice of a Picture Book Manuscript Critique (rhyme or prose) OR A Query Letter Critique from author Kelly Conroy!
⭐️ A Picture Book Manuscript Critique from author Stacy Jensen!
Stacy S. Jensen is a children’s book author with a passion for history, research, and exploring new topics like she did as a newspaper journalist. Her debut book BEFORE I LIVED HERE, illustrated by Victo Ngai (Neal Porter Books, Aug. 26, 2025), was written while she lived in Colorado—inspired by her neighborhood.
⭐️ A Picture Book Manuscript Critique (Rhyming, 300 words or less) from author founder of Rhyme Revolution, Angie Karcher!
⭐️ A Picture Book Manuscript Critique (fiction) AND a signed copy of IF A BUMBLEBEE LANDS ON YOUR TOE from author Cynthia Mackey!
Cynthia Mackey is a children’s author and poet living in Victoria, British Columbia. When she’s not reading or writing, she’s Zumba dancing to latin rhythms, chasing after butterflies to get photos, or listening for bird songs on her morning walks. Her books include IF A BUMBLEBEE LANDS ON YOUR TOE, illustrated by Vikki Zhang (Yeehoo Press, May 2025), and the forthcoming BUTTERFLY SEA, illustrated by Marie-Laure Couët (pub date: Tielmour Press, Jan 30, 2026)
⭐️ A Bundle of Two Books by talented authors Pamela Courtney and Ann Magee!
1. From Pamela Courtney, a signed copy of A SEASON FOR FISHIN’: A Fish Fry Tradition
Pam’s Louisiana upbringing inspired her 2025 debut A Season for Fishin’, A Fish Fry Tradition and nurtured her life’s passion for writing, teaching, music. Combining these loves, Pam brings the eyes of a classroom teacher to each narrative she crafts and created MyLMNOP, a literacy and music program for early learners “My duty is great,” says Pam. “I am a writer who teaches. I am a teacher who writes.”
Ann Magee is an elementary school educator, children’s writer, and lifelong learner. She lives in NJ and is an active member of SCBWI. Stories that especially interest her are ones of unknown, yet significant people and historical events. She also is drawn to stories that reveal the positive ways people (and children) impact the environment.
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, recommending their books for school and library purchases, and supporting them in any other way you can dream up! 😊
Now! Cross you heart (and maybe your fingers, toes, etc!) and post your entries!
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 182 ENTRIES! (Anyone who feels nice can start at the bottom of the list so that the later entries get read too! 😊)
Valentine Acceptance Probability Report by Daniella Kaufman WC: 168
Problem Statement – Monarch, fretting, flits and darts. Will Azure love his pollen hearts? Unsure if she will be impressed, he checks his odds by running tests.
Test One – Petal Pluck Removing petals, counting slow, he tallies yes, then no, then . . . oh! Results say yes. Could this be fate? He needs more proof to validate.
Test Two – Field Survey On site where insects swoop in rings, a ladybug lands near his wings. This data shows a lucky trend. Perhaps his flutter-fuss can end?
Error Event – Sugar Spill But while recording notes, he slips and spills a spray of nectar drips. He flicks the drops behind his back, with hopes his luck is still on track.
Test Three – Sky Sign He scans the sky that’s blushing red as fireflies zip overhead. Antenna crossed, he logs a yes. This final sign must mean success!
Result – Azure’s Answer Monarch shows his valentine the pollen hearts and asks, “Be mine?” To his surprise, she quickly darts . . . and gives to him four clover hearts!
“Jim, are you making your Valentine’s cards for school?”
“Yes, Mom. We’re supposed to think about a superstition, and use it somehow in our Valentines we give to everyone.”
“Good or bad superstitions?” asked Mom.
“Either,” said Jim. “I’ve decided to give everyone a ‘lucky coin’ so they can go to ‘Ginger’s Game House’ and play a game. I have two boxes of coins.”
“Lucky coins are a great idea.”
“There’s a problem, though,” said Jim. “I’d like to think of many good superstitions like a lucky rabbit’s foot, finding ten dollars while walking, or picking four-leaf clovers. However, I can’t think of that many. Mom, do you know any lucky superstitions?”
She remembered four more: hanging horseshoes for good luck, New Years and black-eyed peas, dream catchers, and kissing the Blarney Stone.
Jim started making Valentines that said “Happy Valentine’s Day. Here’s a lucky coin for you. It should bring you luck at ‘Ginger’s Game House.’”
He had finished thirteen cards when he couldn’t find his other box of coins. “Oh, no! What am I going to do?” he said.
After thinking about it, he realized he needed to gather all of his supplies and then start on his Valentine’s project. Maybe he needed a lucky rabbit’s foot or a four-leaf clover, too!
Susanna Leonard Hill 
A Muddy Valentine to you.
By Dr. Miral Azam Khalil
word count 210 words
Today was picture day at school- which meant I dressed to impress.
Red polo shirt, khaki pants, gel in hair, bathing in Baba’s perfume.
“I look so good!” I admired myself in the mirror…
An unwelcome reflection peered back ..
Out came the kajal and in one swoop she put a large black smudge on my cheek-
“You will give yourself the evil eye.” My dadi justified.
“You are ruining my style!” I angrily scrubbed off that horrible mark and stormed outside…
“Thuumpppp!”- my labradoodle
Two paw shaped mud marks appeared on my khakis…
“Honnnnk”- the school bus!
I dashed onboard.
“SPLAAASH”- orange juice trickled down my shirt!!
I glared at my best-friend Musa’s apologetic face.
“I will clean up” -I calmed myself.
At school, I spotted, Ms. Rose,
Butterflies in my stomach, as I walked towards her..
“Plop!”- wet, gooey, stinky bird poop on my face.
“It’s the evil eye .” I sprint to the school bathroom in tears.
Thunder cracked, rained poured, students screamed.
“I look like a disaster.” I think gloomily.
But in come Musa, Rahman and Karim.
Just as messy and soaked.
and we burst in a laughter-
Was it bad luck?
Dadi was definitely wrong.
But I put little kajal in my hair, just in case!
Valentine Acceptance Probability Report
by Daniella Kaufman
WC: 168
Problem Statement –
Monarch, fretting, flits and darts.
Will Azure love his pollen hearts?
Unsure if she will be impressed,
he checks his odds by running tests.
Test One – Petal Pluck
Removing petals, counting slow,
he tallies yes, then no, then . . . oh!
Results say yes. Could this be fate?
He needs more proof to validate.
Test Two – Field Survey
On site where insects swoop in rings,
a ladybug lands near his wings.
This data shows a lucky trend.
Perhaps his flutter-fuss can end?
Error Event – Sugar Spill
But while recording notes, he slips
and spills a spray of nectar drips.
He flicks the drops behind his back,
with hopes his luck is still on track.
Test Three – Sky Sign
He scans the sky that’s blushing red
as fireflies zip overhead.
Antenna crossed, he logs a yes.
This final sign must mean success!
Result – Azure’s Answer
Monarch shows his valentine
the pollen hearts and asks, “Be mine?”
To his surprise, she quickly darts . . .
and gives to him four clover hearts!
Valentine Surprise
By: Susan Fisch Good
212 words
“Riley, wash your hands and help me make brownies for our St.Valentine’s Day party.”
“In a minute, Momma.”
Finishing one last card, I dash downstairs to the kitchen.
“I have on the good luck pin that Nana gave me. It’s guaranteed to make the brownies extra special.”
I get the mixing bowl. Momma adds the flour, cocoa, sugar, butter, and eggs. I vigorously mix and mix.
“These are going to be the best brownies ever,” Momma says, putting them in the hot oven.
I run back upstairs to collect my cards for the party.
Oh no! My lucky pin is gone.
I search my room and run down the stairs, looking, but no pin in sight.
“Momma, I can’t find my good luck pin! Something bad will happen.”
“No, dear, it will be okay. We will find it.”
She helps me look everywhere in the kitchen, but no luck. I am crushed.
The doorbell rings as friends and family arrive at our Valentine’s party. The food is served on a platter with the brownies.
Nana takes a brownie. “This is yummy, but there is something hard in it.”
She pulls out a shiny object. My pin!
“You sure are lucky, Nana.”
“I am,” she says, “I could have broken a tooth!”
Midnight
By Helen Lysicatos
214 Words
“Don’t let a black cat cross your path.”
“Bad luck follows a black cat.”
Midnight heard them all.
He shrugged, “Its not easy being me. I am who I am. I just wish someone would give me a chance to be my friend.”
It was still early when he snuck into class, dropping off Valentine’s cupcakes he made.
“Maybe these will bring me good luck.”
He turned to leave…
“Meow!” “Woof!”
He collided with Lucky the Lab into a blur of black and yellow fur.
“Ouch!” Lucky yelped, “It’s true what they say, you’re bad luck.”
Midnight rolled his eyes and turned to leave.
Lucky stopped him, “You’re the one who’s been making those amazing cupcakes.”
“Well, watch out for that ladder on your way out. Wouldn’t want you to have any bad…any more bad… Ugh. Just be careful.”
Once the Valentine’s party was underway, Midnight slowly made his way to his desk.
But stopped in his tracks.
His Valentine box was overflowing with cards and candy.
“How could it be?”
Lucky trotted over, frosting all over his muzzle, “Everyone, this is my friend Midnight. He made the cupcakes.”
“Us? Friends?”
Lucky turned away, head down, “If you except my apology for what I said it earlier.”
Midnight grinned, “Friends.”
It was his lucky day.
Valentine’s Day Cards
By
Una Belle Townsend
214 Wds.
“Jim, are you making your Valentine’s cards for school?”
“Yes, Mom. We’re supposed to think about a superstition, and use it somehow in our Valentines we give to everyone.”
“Good or bad superstitions?” asked Mom.
“Either,” said Jim. “I’ve decided to give everyone a ‘lucky coin’ so they can go to ‘Ginger’s Game House’ and play a game. I have two boxes of coins.”
“Lucky coins are a great idea.”
“There’s a problem, though,” said Jim. “I’d like to think of many good superstitions like a lucky rabbit’s foot, finding ten dollars while walking, or picking four-leaf clovers. However, I can’t think of that many. Mom, do you know any lucky superstitions?”
She remembered four more: hanging horseshoes for good luck, New Years and black-eyed peas, dream catchers, and kissing the Blarney Stone.
Jim started making Valentines that said “Happy Valentine’s Day. Here’s a lucky coin for you. It should bring you luck at ‘Ginger’s Game House.’”
He had finished thirteen cards when he couldn’t find his other box of coins. “Oh, no! What am I going to do?” he said.
After thinking about it, he realized he needed to gather all of his supplies and then start on his Valentine’s project. Maybe he needed a lucky rabbit’s foot or a four-leaf clover, too!