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 145 ENTRIES! (Anyone who feels nice can start at the bottom of the list so that the later entries get read too! 😊)
Lindsey, I love your creative “Sticky, Icky Valentine” story!!! Such a fun read aloud!!!! Your “lovable germ bug” is very memorable! love all the specific gross details!!! Good luck in the contest!!!
Lisa!!! I love your Valentine’s Day story, with your kind-hearted narrator and the lucky clover with tiny green hearts. Most of all, I love the surprise ending!!!! Your story captured the spirit of Valentine’s Day and true friendship! Good luck in the contest!
This year Valentine’s Day is on a Saturday. In 4th grade we’re celebrating on Friday with the usual things: pink cupcakes, candy hearts and bringing a valentine card for each person in the class. That’s 25 Valentines! I know that’s the fair thing to do, no one should be left out, but all I can think about is whether or not I’ll be celebrating with mom on the 14th.
The day before Valentine’s Day she has an immigration meeting at the Department of Homeland Security. She has her asylum documents ready, but it’s Friday the 13th: the unluckiest of days. So many things could go wrong, the worst being deportation! I’m not usually superstitious, but we really, REALLY need good luck, not bad!
How could I make all those Happy Valentine’s day cards when I’m feeling so worried?
When mom reminds me of her favorite saying “Kindness begets kindness,” I finally know what to do. I draw red roses and four leaf clovers, for love and luck. I write HAVE A LUCKY VALENTINES DAY!
That’s when I start to believe that if kindness really does beget kindness then certainly mom and I will celebrate not only our love on Valentine’s Day, but also our freedom to live here in the country we love.
Accompanying her son Watson to the front door of his school, Mother Bear asked if he remembered the cards he’d crafted for the Valentine’s Day party.
“Yes,” grumbled the little bear. “But I’m not looking forward to it.”
“Oh?” inquired his mom.
“It’s that kitten, Cassandra,” he replied. “She’s always goofing on me. Picking and prodding. Flipping my fur. Pretending to swipe my peanut-butter and honey sandwiches. It never ends.”
Mother smiled reassuringly. “Oh, that sort of behavior simply means she likes you.”
“Hmph,” grunted the wee bruin. “She’s nothing but bad luck.”
“Now hold on there,” cautioned his mother.
“BAD LUCK!” exclaimed Watson. “Everybody knows that cats are bad luck!”
The little bear paused to pluck a red and white mitten from the still-melting February snow.
“Well, there’s a bit of good luck,” chirped his mother.
Watson screwed up his snout in confusion. “How’s losing a mitten good luck?”
“Well, it’s just been found, see? So that’s good for the owner. And you know what tradition says don’t you? That if you find a glove, then you’re destined to fall in love with whomever holds its match.”
“Love!” wailed Watson. “Who wants to fall in–”
“MY MITTEN!” squealed Cassandra from the top of the school steps. “You found it!”
She and her friend Brendan were submitting poems for the fourth Grade Valentines Poetry Contest. “Write about what you love,” said Ms. Mills. She’d be collecting them on February 13, not before, not after.
“What’s wrong with the 13th?” asked Brendan, who was chomping a cup cake at lunch.
“Because February 13th is a Friday! So unlucky!”
“Unlucky for everyone, though,” said Brendan.
“I guess, but if you don’t win—it might just be luck. The poem might be just fine.” Amanda had thought it out.
Brendon shrugged, took another bite.
Brendan did seem calm about stuff. They had become friends working on the Erie Canal Photo project last fall. She sometimes wondered if he liked her.
Later, waiting for their busses, she showed Brendan her poem about Syracuse, where she was born. He showed her his, about sailing.
On Friday the 13th, by the submission box, he said, “Good luck!” “Maybe we could, you know, work on more poems.” She could feel her face turn red. Maybe he did like her. You didn’t show poems to just anyone.
On February 14, Ms. Mills announced the winner of the Valentines Contest. It was neither of them. But Amanda thought that Friday the 13th wasn’t so unlucky after all.
A tale Cooper heard at the age of two,
A rumor he swore was totally true.
A superstition so tricky and cruel…
Shoes as gifts? NEVER, that’s the rule!
They’ll make your true love run away
(Well, that’s what the Koreans have to say).
Of how Halmoni lost her heart that day,
She whispered, “Keep love near—especially today.”
So off he flew…
He went to school,
Then grabbed the glue,
And poured it on Melanie’s shoe.
She laughed so hard
Then handed him a hot-pink card.
It was very avant-garde,
With his name boldly starred.
“Did you think I was going to flee?”
She said with glee.
Cooper paused nervously,
And answered with a plea…
“I didn’t think you’d run,
I was just having some fun.”
She gave a poke and then a pun,
“It looks like we’ve just begun.”
Through parks and puddles, school and play,
They laughed and danced all the way.
No shoes would run, no hearts would stray,
Cooper and Mel were glued—each day.
Call it funny, call it wise,
It was the opposite of his demise.
With hearts that reached to the skies,
A Valentine’s love that grew—to no surprise.
“I’m not bad luck,” huffed Yet, stomping into his cave. “I’m not bad luck,” growled Bigfoot, slamming his cabin door shut.
Both stayed inside. Yeti in his cave. Bigfoot in his cabin. Alone… on Valentine’s Eve.
“I hope tomorrow’s a snow day,” said Yeti. “People stay at home. They don’t point, they don’t run.” He put a spoon under his pillow, a snow day superstition. “That should help,” he said.
“I hope it’s a snow day tomorrow,” sighed Bigfoot. He put on his pajamas backwards and inside-out. “Please work,” he said.
“Snow Day!” Yeti shouted at the freezer.
“Turn white, sky,” Bigfoot placed a white crayon on the windowsill.
Snowflakes fell, thick and fast.
Yeti stepped outside. Bigfoot stepped outside.
They stared.
“I’m Yeti. People say I’m bad luck.” “I’m Bigfoot. People say the same about me.” “But it’s a snow day,” said Yeti. “And no one is here,” said Bigfoot.
“Do you want to play?” asked Yeti. “Yes,” said Bigfoot.
They jumped down a snowy hill. SMUUUSH! They built a snow cave. PLOOMP!
Inside, they shared snow cones. SLURP!
“You’re kind,” said Yeti. “You’re fun,” said Bigfoot. Yeti carved a snowflake. “Will you be my Valentine?” “Yes,” said Bigfoot. They sat together, no longer alone.
“Ollie, you’re daydreaming again,” fussed my best friend, Aja. “Uh-uh.” I snapped upright. “Ta-da!” Aja whipped out a bright red Lego heart. She made one every year for my birthday, February 14th. That’s right, Valentine’s Day. Aja jiggled the Lego heart at me. “Okay, birthday girl, give it the ol’ lucky blow.” “Tuh.” I frowned. “Lego hearts, shmego hearts.” For the record, I, Oleander Rivers, once loved-loved-lovey-love-loved Lego hearts. Used to be I’d blow on a Lego heart and have the luckiest birthdays ever. One birthday, I got the very last Turbo Zoom scooter in the store. And, two birthdays ago, my aunt sent me triple birthday money. But last year when I blew on my Lego heart, I must’ve blown too hard because all I got was bad news. Last year, Aja said she might not be my next-door neighbor anymore. Fast forward to today, Aja said she definitely won’t be my next-door neighbor anymore. Plus, she’s moving a thousand miles away! So, yeah, LEGO HEARTS, SHMEGO HEARTS. “Do you have to move a thousand miles away?” I whined. Aja sighed. “Oh, Ollie.” “What?” I shrugged. “I said it’ll feel like a thousand miles away,” corrected Aja, rolling her eyes. “I’m just moving around the corner. I knew you were daydreaming.” “Tee-hee.” I squeaked. “Oops?”
Colin wishes he could’ve stayed home in bed. The whole school is decorated pink and red. Other kids chatter about homeroom parties, Boxes stuffed with chocolate and Smarties. While classmates exchange X’s and O’s, Colin vows to stay on his toes.
There must be magic in the air, stirring such affection and care. Sugary snacks and sentiments schmoozy… Everyone is acting crazy and woozy. Colin refuses to be charmed or cursed On this day more fearful than October 31st!
At recess, Jane appears with a flower. “A daisy,” she says, “has special power. It’ll tell me what I want to know Is Colin friend, or is he beau? The last petal picked will be what’s true, Deciding feelings between me and you.”
Closer now to her fateful pluck… Will he be completely lovestruck? Trapped between Jane and a tree, Colin begs, “Please, not me, not me.” The February sun is now strangely hot… No sweeter words spoken than “He loves me not!”
Colin can’t stand one more bouquet On this never-ending Valentine’s Day. Did he just hear arrow Being hooked to bow? The flutter of Cupid’s wings? At last, the final bell rings! A boy happy to be in the clear, if only for another year!
Whoops, I accidentally replied to the whole comment section 😄.
Are you trying for single space? If so, if you’re typing your poem in, you can hit shift+enter instead of enter. If you are pasting your poem in, you can go to the beginning of a line, press delete so the line goes up to the previous line, and then press shift+enter.
Suzy and Jerry were best friends, yet since Valentine’s Day was on the full moon this year, Suzy imagined being invaded by hundreds of overactive bugs.
“We’ll have to celebrate Valentine’s at my house, Jerry!”
Jerry happily agreed since bugs were his favorite thing besides Suzy.
When Valentine’s Day arrived, Jerry walked to Suzy’s house after supper. He noticed bugs frantically flying around. Suzy’s bug superstition must be true.
“Get inside quick!” she shouted and slammed the door.
Suzy gave Jerry’s present first. He jittered as he opened the card she crafted with plenty of decorative bugs and a bag of gummy worms. He read, “Happy Valentine’s Day to my favorite love bug!”
Jerry blushed as he then handed Suzy wildflowers and honey candy attached to a paper heart. She read, “Roses are red, violets are blue, bee aware of the sweetness made just for you!”
“Very funny, Jerry!” Yet before she could hug him, Jerry jumped and swatted the flowers. A Luna Moth swirled high, toward the full moon at the window.
“Stop, Jerry, don’t kill it!”
Suzy held Jerry’s arm tight. “It’s the Moon Goddess! She appears as a Luna Moth on the full moon, and she’s with us!”
A girl walking backwards with her hands on the straps of her backpack passes a boy in a poof ball hat. “Watcha doing, May?” He asks.
May’s shirt appears inside out. “Following the rules, Ted. Tomorrow’s Valentines Day and I want snow for my Valentines Birthday!”
Other kids from the bus run by. It’s Friday after school.
Ted looks down, May’s shoes are on the wrong feet. “What rules?”
“Last year was the first in all my eight years the weather didn’t snow. I know why! I didn’t follow the snow rules!”
Ted scratches his head.
May nods, “Flush ice down the toilet, use white crayons, clothes inside out, do everything backwards…walking, writing, counting, talking-”
“Say Valentines backwards!” Interrupts Ted.
“Seniittnn- elavv. Impossible!” May sighs in defeat.
Having a Valentines Day birthday overshadowed who May truly was. Bears, hearts, cupids, flowers, pink cards. They are okay, but those things aren’t her. She can make anything she wants with snow.
“Maybe that’s the problem! The weather really likes Valentines Day and doesn’t like that I don’t like Valentines Day! Or maybe-“
May trips through the gate to her yard, landing on her bum. On the ground, she looks up and falls back onto her backpack to stare at the thick, moody clouds. “Is that…?”
Martin’s fleece was as red as the hearts on Valentine’s Day.
Last Valentine’s Day had been a disaster. So this year, Martin was extra careful.
For today, he would profess his love to Mary’s little lamb, whose fleece was as white as snow. She was perfect.
Halfway to school, Martin froze.
What’s that?
A crack! Oh no!
“Grandma says, ‘Step on a crack and bad luck will follow you!’”
“Not today! Not on Valentine’s Day!”
Martin leapt with courage. His hoof just missed the crack.
Phew, that was close!
The sidewalk ahead, covered in cracks, looked like a map of heartbreak.
He readied himself for the next one. He tiptoed. He zig-zagged. He bounced on mailbox posts and hopped across steppingstones. He refused to walk under a ladder. He even knocked twice on a wooden fence.
Another crack. Then another. Then what felt like 214 cracks.
He measured the distance and launched himself forward…
landing SMACK on the worst crack of all!
At school, feeling jinxed, Martin didn’t seek out his Valentine.
But that didn’t stop Mary’s little lamb from looking for him.
Violet’s Very Fine Valentine Rebekah Hoeft 205 words
Violet the Vulture was sad and distressed. Her heart scarf was missing. She felt underdressed.
“When I wear that scarf on Valentine’s Day, good things like sweets and cards come my way. My classmates won’t think to give ugly ol’ me anything special. But I’ve got these three cards that I made for Lark, Gull, and Crow. So I can’t skip the party, I do need to go.”
Sniffling, she dreamed of the luck the scarf brought. Then bravely she banished those thoughts, and she caught a current; she flew to Party Place Park. Circling to land, she heard Crow, Gull, and Lark talking about her. Their words made her blush.
Lark was impatient, “I wish that she’d rush!”
Gull said, “She’s late, but we really can’t start. She’d miss all the feasting, the very best part!”
Then Crow proudly said, “Guys, I worked really hard on making her perfectly roadkill-shaped card.”
“Vi’s funny and kind.”
“Violet’s great!”
“She’s the best!”
Their words made her weepy. She croaked, “I am blessed.”
Blinded by tears, she crashed onto the ground. As her friends helped her up, her thoughts flipped around.
“You’re really my friends, I found out today! You like me for me! Happy Valentine’s Day!”
Look, the plan was simple: Go to Veronica’s Valentine’s party, pour three drops of potion into Cody’s punch when no one is looking, and—voilà!—the cutest boy in 4th grade falls madly in love with me.
But you and I both know that’s not what happened.
You want the whole story? Fine. I’ll tell you.
I found the bottle in the back of a drawer in Gran’s bedroom. What? She keeps candy in there, okay? I was digging for cinnamon gum when my fingers hit something cool and smooth. It was a small glass bottle filled with a swirling pink liquid that seemed to be trying to escape.
Yeah, I know—bad sign. Can I finish?
The label read: Caution! Love Potion. And below it, a rhyme:
One drop for friendship, Two for affection, Three drops for making a true love connection. Four is too many, Five, you’d best run, Six drops or greater, You’ll wish you’d found none.
Simple, right? Three drops. Cody forgets Veronica. Perfect Valentine’s Day.
So I took off, running to the party…and tripped.
The bottle shattered. Pink potion oozed across the sidewalk. Then every stray cat in the neighborhood showed up and licked it clean.
Now go away. I have to figure out where all these cats are sleeping tonight.
Such incredible voice and humor, Rebecca! Your carefully chosen sensory details make the scene come alive. I especially love the poem you’ve tucked into the story like a cautionary valentine!
Abbie, are you trying to get single spaces instead of double?
If so, you can go to the beginning of a line, press delete to take it up to the previous line, and then shift enter to create a single spaced line instead of a a double.
I love this one, Katelyn. I’m from Canada, so I’m very familiar with the snow day superstitions. My 11 and 12 year do them every time there’s a hint of snow in the forcast.
Katelyn O. says:
Thank you so much, Lisa! My kids were very excited to add the ice cube trick to our repertoire. 😆 We love a snow day in our house. ❄️❄️❄️
Really well done! Love his unique superstition. The thermometer trick is an old friend of mine from childhood. This is a relatable and likable character!
Katelyn O. says:
Ha! Thank you ❤️ I’m embarrassed to say I used the thermometer trick at least once after I was grown and married. 😂😂
Valentine’s Day At Bunnyhenge – Dr. Katherine Gramoglia
There was a small boy who lived in the beach cities who’s mother had passed away. His father and grandfather adored him and he was called “little guy.” The boy told his father that he wanted a mother figure who would take him places. The lady who was befriended was a Native American named Pocahontas who immediately liked little guy and wanted him to see many places. The boy had a sense of adventure and wanted to visit places of interest in the community which were little known.
Pocahontas discovered a place none of them had ever seen near City Hall called Bunnyhenge. Little guy saw a picture of Bunnyhenge and started laughing and dancing with the happiness of a one year old. Pocahontas and the boy decided to go to Bunnyhenge on Valentine’s Day since it was said to be connected to a love story involving long ago sailors. Little guy was especially excited that the white bunnies had green, blue, and pink eyes. He and his family knew the merriment and mischief of St. Valentine which tales of Bunnyhenge recounted.
It was Friday the Thirteenth and Lucky had one last delivery. She tucked a penny under her collar and knocked on the desk three times. Then, tail held high, she set off at a run. Would she make it in time?
Lucky raced under a ladder, barely making it to the other side before a bucket of paint fell off. She stepped on sidewalk cracks too numerous to count, and leaped over a black cat crossing in front of her, barely missing a mirror.
There was only one more obstacle: a revolving door with a reputation for trapping tails.
Lucky scooted through an opening, shot out the other side, sprang up the stairs and skidded into the old lady’s apartment.
“A valentine for me? I’m the luckiest grandma in the world!”
Lucky purred her agreement.
Unluckiest Valentine
By Staci Talley
Word count: 202
I stood at my door, holding Sable’s Valentine.
My whiskers twitched. My paws wouldn’t move.
What if she doesn’t like it? What if she doesn’t like me?
“Go on, honey!” Mom’s voice called from inside. I opened the door and stepped outside.
Kids walked past with Valentines. Hearts hung in every window.
I turned the corner and… Oh no!
A ladder, but too late, I was already under it!
Bad luck.
SPLAT! Cold paint between my ears!
I checked my reflection in the window.
Right on my black fur… A pink Valentine heart.
Good Luck?
I kept going, searching for house number 13.
Oh no! A black cat crossed the sidewalk ahead of me.
A black cat crossing another black cat’s path…that’s double bad luck!
I should turn back.
But I looked at Sable’s valentine.
No, I have to keep going.
The black cat turned up a walkway at house 12, right next to number 13.
Sable’s house!
My heart pounded.
13. The unluckiest number of all.
I knocked.
Sable opened the door and grinned. “Dash, I knew you’d come!
“I love your pink heart!” She held up a Valentine. “I made you one too!”
The Lovely Law of Candy Hearts by Bronchelle Parker 213 words
Bloom Middle School’s Funny Valentine Ball was the sweetest dance of the year. And yet, K.D. stood by the punch bowl clutching a half-eaten box of candy hearts, positively petrified. “Hurry up, dude,” yelled K.D.’s best friend, Adonis, over the music. “The dance is almost over.” “Aw, man.” All jittery, K.D. stared at the blank candy heart in his trembling hand. Everyone at Bloom Middle knew that if you got a candy heart without words on it, you had to give it to your crush. If not, everything you ate would taste like mustard forever…and ever. K.D. imagined eating mustard-flavored ice cream. “Blech, yikes.” As scary as it was, he’d take his chances with his crush. “Tick-tick, man,” warned Adonis. Pacing frantically, K.D. scanned the gym for the only girl he’d liked since 2nd grade: Bianca Weaver. Suddenly, SMACK. K.D. crashed into someone, spilling all his candy hearts on the floor. “Sorry,” groaned a familiar voice. It was Bianca. “N-no, it’s my bad,” stuttered K.D. Bianca smiled bashfully. “I just…wanted to give you this,” she said, slipping something into K.D.’s hand before darting off. K.D. checked his hand and instantly wobbled like Jell-O. “Dude, what’d she give you?” Adonis crept up. Grinning, K.D. held out his hand. “It’s a…it’s a blank candy heart.”
“everything you ate would taste like mustard forever/ mustard-flavored ice cream”. What a creative and strong image to use for the consequence. I am usually a fan of ANY ice cream, but even I would pass on mustard! bravo.
Ruby had to say “rabbit rabbit” first thing in the morning.
In December, she forgot. It was no coincidence she got sick on Christmas.
In January, she yelled “Happy New Year!” first. That was obviously why she lost her favorite bracelet.
In February, she needed good luck.
Ruby had heart eyes for her school’s Valentine’s Raffle Basket. It had everything! Heart sunnies, lava cake mix, sparkle slime. They were clearly meant to be. Ruby and Raffle Basket 4EVER.
“Rabbit rabbit,” Ruby repeated until she drifted off.
When she woke, Ruby was on top of a chocolate cake volcano. Raffle tickets spewed from its mouth. Ruby scrambled and jumped but couldn’t catch a single one.
Ruby’s eyes flew open. 2:14 AM. She calmed her heart and closed her eyes.
Next thing she knew, Ruby was at her class Valentine’s party.
“You’ve won the raffle, Ruby! Come claim your prize!” said the principal.
But Ruby couldn’t move. She was sinking into a sparkle slime puddle!
Ruby shot up in bed. Morning sun stung her eyes.
“RABBIT RABBIT!” Ruby yelled. Finally, everything was looking rosy.
“Be mine,” she whispered to the basket at school. “I can’t wait for Valentine’s Day.”
The Superstitious Movements of Sweets’ Valentine By Ellen Akemi Crosby 214 words
It is all over school. The whispering, The sly glances, Why red, why pink, why lace all over? Are they all like this? Some say yes, Or else it’s bad luck. Or it’s not really love. But, Sweetheart, Sweets for short. Chases the elusive Valentine. “It’s good luck,” she insists. But, only if it is Red and pink with lace all over. It showed up. First, in the library Then, in the gym Atop of Mr. Roger’s desk. Sweets was always one step behind. She saw it take flight; Couldn’t find where it landed. The bathroom door flew open. It shot past her, “Swoosh!” Auditorium chairs, searched. Lockers thoroughly checked. Tears filled Sweets eyes. Is it bad luck If it is red and pink and lace all over? Outside she spied a splash of pink. A gust of wind lifted it high. She chased it to a stand of trees. Climbed every one. Sweets was stymied, sad, and sore. She trudged back to class. Harump! She landed hard on her seat. Head on her desk. It was hot. Mr. Rogers opened the windows. Another gust of wind, then Something red and pink and lace all over Floated Glided And, found lucky Sweets.
On his way to school on Valentine’s Day, Milo found a shiny penny. Good luck was a heads up, and Milo had to have it, according to Grandma. He was giving Lila a heart card and was quite a superstitious person. He did not even step on the pavement cracks as his father used to joke that they are letters wobbling. He prostrated himself before all the ladybugs. Even now, he was not brave enough to look at a poster of a black cat in the doorway.
It happened at recess, when a box of Valentine’s belonging to him was carried away by the wind, and the cards resembled red birds. “Oh,” he said to himself, wishing as he crossed his fingers. A girl helped him gather them. It was Lila. She had slipped a handmade card into his box containing seven little heart-shaped hearsay.
“For luck,” she said.
Milo banged the wood and laughed. Or maybe it was not pennies and cracks and cats, which were good. Maybe people had been pleasant on big-feeling days. He had handed Lila his card, and nothing bad happened. His heart was frolicsome and bold and promised the morning. The Valentine magic stayed.
Boone knew he was an unlucky cat because he was all black – not even a white-striped nose, or white socks, or a white tip to his fluffy tail.
Tomorrow was Valentine’s Day, all about love, and Boone thought that nobody could possibly love an unlucky cat.
He padded along, alone, when he saw a girl about to pass under a ladder. Terrible misfortune! Boone had to act. The least he could do was save someone else from bad luck.
Meeoow, pow! He jumped out, surprising her, and she stepped around the ladder. Safe!
Wait – she was about to step on a crack! More bad luck! He yowled and prowled around to keep her on an unlined track. Whew!
Oh, no . . . a penny, tail sides up! No good, and she was leaning over to PICK IT UP!
Boone pounced and batted the coin. HEADS! The girl smiled, pocketed it, and stroked Boone’s black fur.
I better stick around, Boone thought. She might try to open an umbrella indoors!
The next day, as the girl asked for the thirteenth time to adopt Boone, her mama said, “Okay! It’s lucky to find such a wonderful friend.”
Boone purred as the girl snuggled him. She said, “Luck has nothing to do with it. Only love!”
Waddlesworth the penguin searched all day for the perfect valentine. Finally, he found it: the best heart-shaped rock ever! Perhaps the greatest in all of Antarctica. He knew his cousin in New Zealand would love it.
FIND A ROCK, PICK IT UP, ALL DAY LONG YOU’LL HAVE GOOD LUCK.
Waddlesworth felt very lucky. He put the rock in an envelope and leisurely strolled down the penguin highway towards the post office.
Then, he slipped on some ice. WHOOSH!
SLIP ON SOME ICE, SPIN AROUND TWICE.
Waddlesworth couldn’t risk any bad luck on Valentine’s Day. He twirled around twice, then continued walking towards the post office.
Then, a giant seal crossed the highway. Ga-LUMPH! Ga-LUMPH!
IF A SEAL CROSSES YOUR PATH, DO SOME MATH.
Waddlesworth groaned. Not again! He needed to get his valentine to the post office before it closed. “2+14=16… 14-2=12…” he muttered and continued jogging towards the post office.
It was getting dark. Waddlesworth checked his watch – the post office would close soon! He was almost out of time!!
IF YOU’RE RUNNING OUT OF TIME, MAKE UP A RHYME.
“I don’t have time for another superstition,” Waddlesworth cried, bursting through the post office door just in time. “I’m on an important Valentine’s mission!”
For me, hearts are unlucky. You see, when I draw, things sometimes come out upside down. And an upside-down heart is… a bottom! So, normally, I avoid them superstitiously, like I do black cats. But how can I make a Valentine’s Day card for Papa without hearts? I need to be brave.
I try drawing while doing a headstand.
I try drawing using my feet.
I try drawing while blindfolded.
But nothing works! All I have to show for my effort are lots of wiggly, wobbly bottoms!
Papa knocks on the door. “What’s all this?” he asks.
“I wanted to make you a Valentine’s Day card with a heart on it,” I say, sobbing. “But I failed!”
Papa smiles. “You think you were trying to draw a heart, but I think you were trying to show me you love me. And you’ve truly succeeded!”
I smile back, and pick a bottom up off the floor. “Happy Valentine’s Day!”
Papa kisses my head, then puts the upside-down heart on the shelf.
“Time for bed?” he asks. I nod. All that drawing has tired me out. Plus, the sun will be rising soon.
We flap our bat wings and hang upside down on the ceiling.
“Look,” Papa says, pointing to my card. “A perfect heart!”
Susanna Leonard Hill 
My Sicky, Icky Valentine
Lindsey Konkel Neabore
Word Count 116
February marks my favorite season!
It’s the sneeziest time of the year
and I’m the reason–for cold and flu.
I’m a lovable germ bug with a plan to get a hug!
We can trade candy hearts,
but BOOGERS would be better!
Launch a snot rocket.
Give a little ACHOO–definitely don’t cover your mouth if you do!
Pick ‘em, flick ‘em,
smear them around. No one watching?
Eat that one you found on the ground!
Runny nose?
Bless you! Use your sleeve–save a tissue!
Knock on wood!
My plan is working!
I’d say I’ve been deserving of a little love,
a little hug.
What say you?
Will you be mine–my sicky, icky Valentine?
NO! Not the soap!
Lindsey, I love your creative “Sticky, Icky Valentine” story!!! Such a fun read aloud!!!! Your “lovable germ bug” is very memorable! love all the specific gross details!!! Good luck in the contest!!!
Gross enough to love❤️
I love it, Lindsey! Also, yuck!
yucky and gross. But the kids will LOVE IT! Lol…
Vince’s bad day turned out perfectly!!! Love that he and his Val are going to see Superstition!! This is an adorable story
Thank you!
Four Lucky Hearts
by Lisa Billa (212 words)
After winter vacation, Room 3B welcomed someone new. She had white fur, pink eyes, and long soft ears. We named her Snowflake.
I’d always wanted a pet! So had my best friend Julia.
Every day at recess, we picked treats for Snowflake. She loved dandelions, daisies, and especially clover.
Fridays, Ms. Adams pulled a name from her jar. First Dylan got to bring Snowflake home. Then Ashley. Then – the day I found a four-leaf clover – me!
Snowflake played in my yard, inside her little fence. Julia came over and Snowflake hopped between us, her nose twitching.
The next Friday, Julia crossed her fingers, but Ms. Adams picked Marvin. Julia’s eyes teared. “I’m never lucky!”
When we were decorating for Valentine’s day, I had an idea! Could I find Julia some luck for a Valentine’s gift?
I searched every patch at home and school for another four-leaf clover. No luck. Maybe Snowflake had eaten them all.
Finally, there it was! Right by Snowflake’s foot.
I plucked it carefully. Each clover leaf was a tiny green heart.
On Friday, I gave Julia her Valentine – in the shape of four joined hearts, with the clover inside.
“Happy Valentine’s Day! Maybe this will bring you luck.”
Julia smiled. “I’m already lucky we’re friends.”
I smiled back.
Such a sweet story of friendship sprinkled with lucky superstition. The girls reminded me of my childhood best friend.
Love the hearts found in a four-leaf clover and the luck they brought to true friends. Sweet story!
aww super cute! What a sweet friendship, and I love the class pet.
So sweet! Love that having a good friend is even better than getting the class pet ❤
Lisa!!! I love your Valentine’s Day story, with your kind-hearted narrator and the lucky clover with tiny green hearts. Most of all, I love the surprise ending!!!! Your story captured the spirit of Valentine’s Day and true friendship! Good luck in the contest!
Kelce Calls an Audible
By Jacinta Patterson
[WC: 214]
Kelce was a diehard Eagles fan.
Every day leading up to the Super Bowl, she wore her jersey for luck.
She learned in it,
kickboxed in it,
even slept in it.
And she never, ever washed it. If she did, the Eagles would lose. She didn’t make the rules.
That same week, a new kid joined the class. Troy. He had dark hair, a freckle-dusted face, and a dreamy drawl. Kelce was smitten.
Come Sunday, the Eagles were victorious.
Mom cheered.
“I can finally do laundry!”
But Kelce had other ideas.
“Friday is Valentine’s Day! If I wash my lucky jersey, there’s no way Troy will give me a valentine.”
Mom had a point, though. Her jersey was a bit ripe. Kelce didn’t want to scare Troy away with eau de Eagles. She needed a fresh scent.
She tried squeezing some lemon juice onto her jersey. But that just faded the Kelly Green.
She tried rolling in subtle-sweet snowdrops. But that just upset the neighbor.
Rubbing her jersey with dryer sheets helped…a little. But stinky was better than unlucky.
On Friday, Troy walked up to Kelce and smiled shyly.
“This is fur yew,” he said, handing her a valentine.
Kelce wrinkled her nose. Troy was wearing a Cowboys jersey!
So much for silly superstitions.
Adorable and love the ending. Also, “fur yew.” 🙂
Hoping for Luck
By Elise Teichert
213 words
This year Valentine’s Day is on a Saturday. In 4th grade we’re celebrating on Friday with the usual things: pink cupcakes, candy hearts and bringing a valentine card for each person in the class. That’s 25 Valentines! I know that’s the fair thing to do, no one should be left out, but all I can think about is whether or not I’ll be celebrating with mom on the 14th.
The day before Valentine’s Day she has an immigration meeting at the Department of Homeland Security. She has her asylum documents ready, but it’s Friday the 13th: the unluckiest of days. So many things could go wrong, the worst being deportation! I’m not usually superstitious, but we really, REALLY need good luck, not bad!
How could I make all those Happy Valentine’s day cards when I’m feeling so worried?
When mom reminds me of her favorite saying “Kindness begets kindness,” I finally know what to do. I draw red roses and four leaf clovers, for love and luck. I write HAVE A LUCKY VALENTINES DAY!
That’s when I start to believe that if kindness really does beget kindness then certainly mom and I will celebrate not only our love on Valentine’s Day, but also our freedom to live here in the country we love.
You really have me thinking hopeful things for your protagonist!
Touching! Kindness begets kindness!
UNBEARABLY LUCKY IN LOVE
By Roxanne Dooley
213 words
Winter crept
as Doris slept
while dreaming of her beau.
Then – CRASH! – a sound
that shook the ground:
An avalanche of snow.
Still half asleep,
a one-eyed peep
across the cave and….EEEK!
A toppled over
four-leaf clover.
“Oh, Lucky!” Doris shrieked.
Within his lair,
a handsome bear
awoke and started running.
“I heard you yelp.
How may I help?”
Oh wow, he thought. She’s stunning!
“I’ve saved this charm
from winter’s harm,
but now it’s facing doom!
I hoped in spring
its luck would bring
my tender, loving groom.”
“Well, my name’s Clyde,”
the bear replied.
“I’m tickled pink to meet….”
“My Lucky’s splat!
No time to chat
until our work’s complete!”
With string and sticks,
Clyde tried a fix,
and Lucky started perking.
“We’re not too late!
It’s standing straight!”
Doris cried, “It’s working!
Your help was sweet,
but now I’m beat!
Please go so I can rest.
For on the day
love comes my way,
I want to look my best!”
“But don’t you see?
Your love is ME!”
Clyde told her of the date.
“It’s Valentine’s?
And you are mine?
You’re saying this was fate?”
“My dear,” replied
the charming Clyde.
“Would you agree to wed?“
“To have and hold?
Not while it’s cold.
I’m going back to bed.”
Lovely and lyrical 🙂
Beautiful. I hope they had good luck!!
Love this one! Your rhyme and meter is great and I love the clever ending!
So clever!
Love the rhyme and meter! Great job Roxanne!
CLASS RIVALRY
By Rochelle Smith
211 words
Accompanying her son Watson to the front door of his school, Mother Bear asked if he remembered the cards he’d crafted for the Valentine’s Day party.
“Yes,” grumbled the little bear. “But I’m not looking forward to it.”
“Oh?” inquired his mom.
“It’s that kitten, Cassandra,” he replied. “She’s always goofing on me. Picking and prodding. Flipping my fur. Pretending to swipe my peanut-butter and honey sandwiches. It never ends.”
Mother smiled reassuringly. “Oh, that sort of behavior simply means she likes you.”
“Hmph,” grunted the wee bruin. “She’s nothing but bad luck.”
“Now hold on there,” cautioned his mother.
“BAD LUCK!” exclaimed Watson. “Everybody knows that cats are bad luck!”
The little bear paused to pluck a red and white mitten from the still-melting February snow.
“Well, there’s a bit of good luck,” chirped his mother.
Watson screwed up his snout in confusion. “How’s losing a mitten good luck?”
“Well, it’s just been found, see? So that’s good for the owner. And you know what tradition says don’t you? That if you find a glove, then you’re destined to fall in love with whomever holds its match.”
“Love!” wailed Watson. “Who wants to fall in–”
“MY MITTEN!” squealed Cassandra from the top of the school steps. “You found it!”
Cute ending.
LOL. I love it! You never know where love will come from!
Many thanks, Tiffany!
Thanks for the kind comment, Paige!
So cute!
Thank you, Pam!
AN UNLUCKY DAY
By Janice Scully
Word Count 204
“Why the 13th?” Asked Amanda, scowling.
She and her friend Brendan were submitting poems for the fourth Grade Valentines Poetry Contest. “Write about what you love,” said Ms. Mills. She’d be collecting them on February 13, not before, not after.
“What’s wrong with the 13th?” asked Brendan, who was chomping a cup cake at lunch.
“Because February 13th is a Friday! So unlucky!”
“Unlucky for everyone, though,” said Brendan.
“I guess, but if you don’t win—it might just be luck. The poem might be just fine.” Amanda had thought it out.
Brendon shrugged, took another bite.
Brendan did seem calm about stuff. They had become friends working on the Erie Canal Photo project last fall. She sometimes wondered if he liked her.
Later, waiting for their busses, she showed Brendan her poem about Syracuse, where she was born. He showed her his, about sailing.
On Friday the 13th, by the submission box, he said, “Good luck!” “Maybe we could, you know, work on more poems.” She could feel her face turn red. Maybe he did like her. You didn’t show poems to just anyone.
On February 14, Ms. Mills announced the winner of the Valentines Contest. It was neither of them. But Amanda thought that Friday the 13th wasn’t so unlucky after all.
Good use of superstition.
Shoe Mates: A Gluey Tale
By: Deborah Kim
WC: 195
A tale Cooper heard at the age of two,
A rumor he swore was totally true.
A superstition so tricky and cruel…
Shoes as gifts? NEVER, that’s the rule!
They’ll make your true love run away
(Well, that’s what the Koreans have to say).
Of how Halmoni lost her heart that day,
She whispered, “Keep love near—especially today.”
So off he flew…
He went to school,
Then grabbed the glue,
And poured it on Melanie’s shoe.
She laughed so hard
Then handed him a hot-pink card.
It was very avant-garde,
With his name boldly starred.
“Did you think I was going to flee?”
She said with glee.
Cooper paused nervously,
And answered with a plea…
“I didn’t think you’d run,
I was just having some fun.”
She gave a poke and then a pun,
“It looks like we’ve just begun.”
Through parks and puddles, school and play,
They laughed and danced all the way.
No shoes would run, no hearts would stray,
Cooper and Mel were glued—each day.
Call it funny, call it wise,
It was the opposite of his demise.
With hearts that reached to the skies,
A Valentine’s love that grew—to no surprise.
Cute story
The glue in her shoe made me chuckle!
Such an interesting superstition – who knew!
A MATCH LIKE MINE
By Erin Roscosky(207 words)
Today in class I drew a sketch,
A single, small stick-man.
I closed my eyes and crossed my toes,
To start my wishing plan.
The figure is my secret crush
Who sits across from me.
It isn’t just coincidence,
I think it’s meant to be.
He’s sweet and funny, brave enough
To stand upon his head.
The teacher frowned, the students laughed,
My cheeks turned rosy red.
He let me use his neon pen,
He shared a gummy bear.
He picked me first for kickball once;
I couldn’t help but stare.
With Valentine’s Day drawing near,
My stomach twists in knots.
I will not step on sidewalk cracks,
Or stop my wishing thoughts.
I’ll blow on every dandelion,
And count the lucky stars.
I’m hoping that he likes my card,
Made with my glitter jars.
And when the fourteenth comes at last,
My heart beats fast and loud.
He flips his paper over slow,
And grins at me, so proud.
A messy, hand-drawn stick-girl shines
With hearts like bubblegum.
“So, will you be my Valentine?”
The happy moment’s come…
“YES! YES! YES!”
I guess I didn’t need the luck,
The day turned out just fine.
He must have crossed his toes today,
A perfect match for mine.
So sweet!
Love at First Bark
By Tiffany Hanson; WC 212
My mom said Cupid brings love at first sight on Valentine’s Day. That’s how she felt when she met my dad.
But it didn’t last. He left.
I didn’t want love at first sight. What if that person left too? Cupid could count me out.
I had a Valentine’s Day plan and crossed my fingers for luck.
I wore dark sunglasses all day, so I couldn’t see clearly.
I almost walked into a couple of walls but it was worth it.
I wore a hat and thick coat to hide from Cupid. I was not falling for his tricks.
It was a bit warm but that was a small price to pay.
When someone tried to approach me with a Valentine, I ran the other direction.
Might have tripped once or twice, but it worked.
When I got home, I took off the glasses, coat and hat and sighed in relief.
“Mom, I’m home.”
“Bark!”
“Mom?”
A small ball of brown fur started jumping up and licking me.
My mom appeared and smiled. “I got you a puppy for Valentine’s Day.”
My heart melted and I scratched his ear. “I’ll never leave you,” I whispered.
I wasn’t sure about love at first sight, but I definitely believed in love at first bark.
Awww- a Valentiny puppy! How cute is that?
love the humor and the joyful ending.
Nice story.
Ha!!! Poor Vince. Love your ending.
Snow Day for Two
Amy Barry
206 words
“I’m not bad luck,” huffed Yet, stomping into his cave.
“I’m not bad luck,” growled Bigfoot, slamming his cabin door shut.
Both stayed inside.
Yeti in his cave.
Bigfoot in his cabin.
Alone… on Valentine’s Eve.
“I hope tomorrow’s a snow day,” said Yeti.
“People stay at home.
They don’t point,
they don’t run.”
He put a spoon under his pillow, a snow day superstition.
“That should help,” he said.
“I hope it’s a snow day tomorrow,” sighed Bigfoot.
He put on his pajamas backwards and inside-out.
“Please work,” he said.
“Snow Day!” Yeti shouted at the freezer.
“Turn white, sky,” Bigfoot placed a white crayon on the windowsill.
Snowflakes fell, thick and fast.
Yeti stepped outside.
Bigfoot stepped outside.
They stared.
“I’m Yeti. People say I’m bad luck.”
“I’m Bigfoot. People say the same about me.”
“But it’s a snow day,” said Yeti.
“And no one is here,” said Bigfoot.
“Do you want to play?” asked Yeti.
“Yes,” said Bigfoot.
They jumped down a snowy hill. SMUUUSH!
They built a snow cave. PLOOMP!
Inside, they shared snow cones. SLURP!
“You’re kind,” said Yeti.
“You’re fun,” said Bigfoot.
Yeti carved a snowflake.
“Will you be my Valentine?”
“Yes,” said Bigfoot.
They sat together, no longer alone.
Such a cute story! Love the friendship theme!
Nice work 🙂
Such a unique story.
13 Valentines
By Sharon Pegram; 213 words
I’ve taped a Tootsie-Pop to every red paper heart and written my name 13 times.
13 people in my class
-me
+Ms. Burnette
= 13 Valentines.
“Wow, 13 is a really unlucky number,” Ben says. “I hope nothing bad happens.”
Oh no! He’s in 3rd grade at Big Kid School. He knows things. My class is doomed.
What if I forget one?
“Oops,” Mom says. “I found this under the table.”
Rats.
What if I give an extra one?
“Sorry,” Ms. Burnette says. “Hamsters can’t have people paper. Cinnamon might get sick.”
Double rats.
The clock clicks closer to the party. Our Valentine boxes sit by the window, looking harmless.
“Okay, class. Time to fill those lovely boxes,” Ms. Burnette chirps. She must not know about 13. Or my unlucky Valentines.
Wait.
Not just my Valentines.
Everyone brought 13 Valentines.
“Stop!” I yell. “We have 13 times 13 Valentines. We could end the world with that much bad luck!”
Everyone stares.
I slide down under my desk. Too many tears to hide rush down my cheeks.
Maya wedges herself in beside me. “You know, in Italy 13 is a lucky number. My brother told me. He’s in 4th grade, so he knows things.”
4th grade > 3rd grade. We are saved.
Ha ha, you snuck some math in there for us nerds. Fun story!
Oleander’s Beef with Lego Hearts
by Bronchelle Parker
Word Count: 214
“Ollie, you’re daydreaming again,” fussed my best friend, Aja.
“Uh-uh.” I snapped upright.
“Ta-da!” Aja whipped out a bright red Lego heart.
She made one every year for my birthday, February 14th.
That’s right, Valentine’s Day.
Aja jiggled the Lego heart at me. “Okay, birthday girl, give it the ol’ lucky blow.”
“Tuh.” I frowned. “Lego hearts, shmego hearts.”
For the record, I, Oleander Rivers, once loved-loved-lovey-love-loved Lego hearts. Used to be I’d blow on a Lego heart and have the luckiest birthdays ever.
One birthday, I got the very last Turbo Zoom scooter in the store.
And, two birthdays ago, my aunt sent me triple birthday money.
But last year when I blew on my Lego heart, I must’ve blown too hard because all I got was bad news. Last year, Aja said she might not be my next-door neighbor anymore.
Fast forward to today, Aja said she definitely won’t be my next-door neighbor anymore. Plus, she’s moving a thousand miles away!
So, yeah, LEGO HEARTS, SHMEGO HEARTS.
“Do you have to move a thousand miles away?” I whined.
Aja sighed. “Oh, Ollie.”
“What?” I shrugged.
“I said it’ll feel like a thousand miles away,” corrected Aja, rolling her eyes. “I’m just moving around the corner. I knew you were daydreaming.”
“Tee-hee.” I squeaked. “Oops?”
So cute! I felt this one!
FRIEND OR BEAU
BY: Abbie Poe
Word Count: 206
Colin wishes he could’ve stayed home in bed.
The whole school is decorated pink and red.
Other kids chatter about homeroom parties,
Boxes stuffed with chocolate and Smarties.
While classmates exchange X’s and O’s,
Colin vows to stay on his toes.
There must be magic in the air,
stirring such affection and care.
Sugary snacks and sentiments schmoozy…
Everyone is acting crazy and woozy.
Colin refuses to be charmed or cursed
On this day more fearful than October 31st!
At recess, Jane appears with a flower.
“A daisy,” she says, “has special power.
It’ll tell me what I want to know
Is Colin friend, or is he beau?
The last petal picked will be what’s true,
Deciding feelings between me and you.”
Closer now to her fateful pluck…
Will he be completely lovestruck?
Trapped between Jane and a tree,
Colin begs, “Please, not me, not me.”
The February sun is now strangely hot…
No sweeter words spoken than “He loves me not!”
Colin can’t stand one more bouquet
On this never-ending Valentine’s Day.
Did he just hear arrow
Being hooked to bow?
The flutter of Cupid’s wings?
At last, the final bell rings!
A boy happy to be in the clear,
if only for another year!
Sorry, everyone my spacing is still not coming across despite multiple attempts.
Whoops, I accidentally replied to the whole comment section 😄.
Are you trying for single space? If so, if you’re typing your poem in, you can hit shift+enter instead of enter. If you are pasting your poem in, you can go to the beginning of a line, press delete so the line goes up to the previous line, and then press shift+enter.
I think I fixed it 🙂
A VALENTINE’S DAY FOR LOVE BUGS WC 214
By Sharon McCarthy
Suzy and Jerry were best friends, yet since Valentine’s Day was on the full moon this year, Suzy imagined being invaded by hundreds of overactive bugs.
“We’ll have to celebrate Valentine’s at my house, Jerry!”
Jerry happily agreed since bugs were his favorite thing besides Suzy.
When Valentine’s Day arrived, Jerry walked to Suzy’s house after supper. He noticed bugs frantically flying around. Suzy’s bug superstition must be true.
“Get inside quick!” she shouted and slammed the door.
Suzy gave Jerry’s present first. He jittered as he opened the card she crafted with plenty of decorative bugs and a bag of gummy worms. He read, “Happy Valentine’s Day to my favorite love bug!”
Jerry blushed as he then handed Suzy wildflowers and honey candy attached to a paper heart. She read, “Roses are red, violets are blue, bee aware of the sweetness made just for you!”
“Very funny, Jerry!” Yet before she could hug him, Jerry jumped and swatted the flowers. A Luna Moth swirled high, toward the full moon at the window.
“Stop, Jerry, don’t kill it!”
Suzy held Jerry’s arm tight. “It’s the Moon Goddess! She appears as a Luna Moth on the full moon, and she’s with us!”
“What does that mean?” asked Jerry.
“I will love you and bugs forever!”
So cute, love the link to the Moon Goddess!
Snow Rules
By Brittanny Halper
214 words.
A girl walking backwards with her hands on the straps of her backpack passes a boy in a poof ball hat. “Watcha doing, May?” He asks.
May’s shirt appears inside out. “Following the rules, Ted. Tomorrow’s Valentines Day and I want snow for my Valentines Birthday!”
Other kids from the bus run by. It’s Friday after school.
Ted looks down, May’s shoes are on the wrong feet. “What rules?”
“Last year was the first in all my eight years the weather didn’t snow. I know why! I didn’t follow the snow rules!”
Ted scratches his head.
May nods, “Flush ice down the toilet, use white crayons, clothes inside out, do everything backwards…walking, writing, counting, talking-”
“Say Valentines backwards!” Interrupts Ted.
“Seniittnn- elavv. Impossible!” May sighs in defeat.
Having a Valentines Day birthday overshadowed who May truly was. Bears, hearts, cupids, flowers, pink cards. They are okay, but those things aren’t her. She can make anything she wants with snow.
“Maybe that’s the problem! The weather really likes Valentines Day and doesn’t like that I don’t like Valentines Day! Or maybe-“
May trips through the gate to her yard, landing on her bum. On the ground, she looks up and falls back onto her backpack to stare at the thick, moody clouds. “Is that…?”
MARTIN AND THE 214 CRACKS (WC 206)
by Elyssa Berger
Martin’s fleece was as red as the hearts on Valentine’s Day.
Last Valentine’s Day had been a disaster. So this year, Martin was extra careful.
For today, he would profess his love to Mary’s little lamb,
whose fleece was as white as snow. She was perfect.
Halfway to school, Martin froze.
What’s that?
A crack! Oh no!
“Grandma says, ‘Step on a crack and bad luck will follow you!’”
“Not today! Not on Valentine’s Day!”
Martin leapt with courage.
His hoof just missed the crack.
Phew, that was close!
The sidewalk ahead, covered in cracks, looked like a map of heartbreak.
He readied himself for the next one. He tiptoed. He zig-zagged. He bounced on mailbox posts and hopped across steppingstones. He refused to walk under a ladder. He even knocked twice on a wooden fence.
Another crack.
Then another.
Then what felt like 214 cracks.
He measured the distance and launched himself forward…
landing SMACK on the worst crack of all!
At school, feeling jinxed, Martin didn’t seek out his Valentine.
But that didn’t stop Mary’s little lamb from looking for him.
“Martin,” she asked, “Will you be my Valentine?”
Maybe cracks didn’t cause bad luck after all.
Maybe they just led him to her.
Not a baaaaaad love story. I really enjoyed this.
Eric, if you only knew how many times I had to keep cutting Baa’d lines about Baa’d luck! They were everywhere lol.
They are all so much fun to read. Glad you enjoyed mine. Off to find yours!
Elyssa
Violet’s Very Fine Valentine
Rebekah Hoeft
205 words
Violet the Vulture was sad and distressed.
Her heart scarf was missing. She felt underdressed.
“When I wear that scarf on Valentine’s Day,
good things like sweets and cards come my way.
My classmates won’t think to give ugly ol’ me
anything special. But I’ve got these three
cards that I made for Lark, Gull, and Crow.
So I can’t skip the party, I do need to go.”
Sniffling, she dreamed of the luck the scarf brought.
Then bravely she banished those thoughts, and she caught
a current; she flew to Party Place Park.
Circling to land, she heard Crow, Gull, and Lark
talking about her. Their words made her blush.
Lark was impatient, “I wish that she’d rush!”
Gull said, “She’s late, but we really can’t start.
She’d miss all the feasting, the very best part!”
Then Crow proudly said, “Guys, I worked really hard
on making her perfectly roadkill-shaped card.”
“Vi’s funny and kind.”
“Violet’s great!”
“She’s the best!”
Their words made her weepy. She croaked, “I am blessed.”
Blinded by tears, she crashed onto the ground.
As her friends helped her up, her thoughts flipped around.
“You’re really my friends, I found out today!
You like me for me! Happy Valentine’s Day!”
Love Potion Catastrophe
(or How I became a Cat Person)
By Rebecca W. Chester
214 words
Look, the plan was simple: Go to Veronica’s Valentine’s party, pour three drops of potion into Cody’s punch when no one is looking, and—voilà!—the cutest boy in 4th grade falls madly in love with me.
But you and I both know that’s not what happened.
You want the whole story? Fine. I’ll tell you.
I found the bottle in the back of a drawer in Gran’s bedroom. What? She keeps candy in there, okay? I was digging for cinnamon gum when my fingers hit something cool and smooth. It was a small glass bottle filled with a swirling pink liquid that seemed to be trying to escape.
Yeah, I know—bad sign. Can I finish?
The label read: Caution! Love Potion. And below it, a rhyme:
Simple, right? Three drops. Cody forgets Veronica. Perfect Valentine’s Day.
So I took off, running to the party…and tripped.
The bottle shattered. Pink potion oozed across the sidewalk. Then every stray cat in the neighborhood showed up and licked it clean.
Now go away. I have to figure out where all these cats are sleeping tonight.
Oh my gosh, I literally laughed out loud!
Super cute!
Yes!!! This is hilarious!! I love this kid’s personality. Great story, great rhyme, lucky cats 🙂
Bahaha! Your twist at the end is the best.
this is So cute. I, too laughed. Good luck!!!
Truly LOL!
Such incredible voice and humor, Rebecca! Your carefully chosen sensory details make the scene come alive. I especially love the poem you’ve tucked into the story like a cautionary valentine!
Oh, how this one made me laugh… 🤣
great voice! I could spend more time with your main character.
Too funny!! Love the twist at the end. Oh, those cats! A Valentine’s Day to never forget!
A Valentine’s Change of Heart
by Claudia Sloan
Word count: 214
Who wants a Heart-y Brunch?
… strawberry pancakes, pink milk, …
But WHY-Y-Y on Friday the 13th? … BAD day!
The pancakes will burn,
… the entire schoo-o-ol!
Fingers crossed nothing burns.
And it’s full moon?
For sure I’ll eat alone.
I’ll cross a black cat, …or trip!
Everyone will laugh.
Wait! Blankie makes a perfect cape.
They won’t laugh if I’m invisible.
Why did we make silly cards? I have no friends.
Nobody likes me.
WOW! A four-leaf clover?
Nothing bad can happen now. R-r-r-right?
Okay, Koda, go in. You’re invisible.
Awww, glitter! Red. …Pink!
“Koda, for you!” …Eva got me a card?
“Para ti, Koda” …and Lola.
“Felíz Valentín, Koda!” … Leo?
“I-I-I’ve made cards for you, too.” …please don’t laugh.
“Get your food.”
“Sit with us!” …They like me? They see ME!
No tripping. No spilling. Please, please.
…Yesss!
“Decorate your Love Bug. The box. For the cards we get.” …Sam, helping me? Clover power.
“For you.”
“Para ti.”
“And you.” …giving is fun!
Hearty brunches are GREAT!
“Koda, wait! Let’s hang.” … Lola?
“See my rabbit’s foot? I saw your clover.” …we’re friends!
“Koda, your cajita is full!” …I’m sooo happy!
“I can share.”
“Thanks, Koda, but those are all yours. I love the one you gave me.”
“Happy Valentine’s Day!”
“Feliz Dia de Amistad, Koda!”
Yummy brunch. Glad it all worked out.
A Lucky Pencil
by Andrea L. Mack
(214 words)
Starting a new school in February?
Gulp. Everyone already has friends.
After a week of lonely lunchtimes and solo-in-the-snow recesses,
Ivy made a plan. She’d show them her creative side.
She made her valentines extra cute.
Drawings with her lucky green pencil.
Colourful dabs of paint. Sprinkles of paper confetti. Perfect!
In the morning, she packed carefully.
“Hurry, Ivy.”
Dash to get ready. Rush through the snow.
“Bye, Dad.”
Wait…where’s her bag?
Noooo! Her perfect cards lay in a puddle by the door, trampled into sludgy scraps.
Her new teacher tried to help. “Spread them on this table. They’ll dry.”
Her new classmates stared. Whispered. Giggled.
Ivy hugged her knees, more alone than ever.
Ellis studied the ruined cards. “I like the green pencil. It’s cool.”
“It used to be my lucky pencil. Before this disaster.”
“You can borrow my lucky pencil if you want to fix them,” Ellis said. “But it’s not green.”
Ivy took a deep breath. Should she try?
Clutching Ellis’ pencil, she asked for glue and scissors.
Smaller could be cuter. Blue lines danced with green.
“You’re so creative!” Ellis said.
“Thanks to your lucky pencil,” Ivy said. “This one’s for you. Want to help me fix the rest?”
Ellis smiled and held up a green pencil.
a lucky pencil, a spunky valentine!
Lucky in Love
by Pam Adams
Word count: 186
The calendar is looming.
My destiny’s unclear.
Soon I’ll need to tackle
my very greatest fear.
It’s just a simple question.
I should not be so scared.
But I am superstitious
and want to be prepared.
I walked on down the street,
avoiding every crack!
This would be a tragic day
to break my mother’s back!
I found a lucky penny!
Then rolled my fuzzy dice!
Crossed my fingers! Knocked on wood!
Not just once, but twice!
Next I rubbed my rabbit’s foot
and rang my lucky bell!
Then flung that lucky penny
to the bottom of the well!
I counted seven ladybugs
upon a four-leaf clover!
I blew a dandelion seed
and wished this task was over!
I plucked a pretty daisy
and wished with all my might:
“She loves me! Loves me not!”
I hope it comes out right!
With all these good luck wishes,
I’m sure it will be fine,
for me to finally ask you
to be my Valentine?
So now it’s your decision~
I hope that you’ll say yes!
But, if no is your answer…
I’ll try my luck with Tess!
That’s a lot of superstition! Great job! I can just picture him walking along. I hope she says yes 🙂
Well, lucky for him he’s got a back-up plan in place if she doesn’t say yes. Poor Tess~ sad to think she’d be second choice! ; -))
Its beautiful and the rhythming is Great!!!
Thanks Paige~
Lucky Valentine’s Socks
by Katherine Rea
Word Count: 193
Whenever I do something risky or daring
I wear something special- fully preparing.
An item of clothing that’s boisterous and bold
(And helpful to have when my feet get too cold)
They’re my favorite color: bright red as a cherry
Wearing these socks makes hard things less scary.
So clearly I’ll need them for Valentine’s Day
To give Martha Malley a card, which will say:
“Your red hair is rad, we’d make quite a pair
Think of the ruby red love we could share.”
With some luck, she won’t turn away in disgust
So having these socks is simply a must
I head to the garage – it’s go-time, you see
But the view I take in makes me fall to my knees
A sheet load? My red socks all tangled with white?
Now everything’s pink, what a horrible sight!
My socks have been bleached, their red power sapped
But it’s Valentine’s Day, and I need to adapt.
Knees shaky, breath weak, I show up in pink
Will Martha still like me? What will she think?!
She looks at my socks and a smile starts to grow
“My favorite color. How did you know?”
Very nice! Good use of rhyme and meter.
AROOOOO!!!
WHERE IS SHE?
By
Lori Chergosky
Word count: 214
AROOOOO!!!
Where is she?
You know…
my fur-ever best friend…
my woofmate…
my valentine!
AROOOOO! Puppy love is no joke! Just thinking about her makes me want to chase my tail.
I can’t wait to make puppy dog eyes and drool over her.
I’ll do anything to find her… I’ll even stop chasing squirrels.
I’m not taking any chances, last night I wished on the first star I saw to find my
valentine… and I howled at the full moon. AROOOOO!!!
This morning… I found a lucky flea and I’m itching for love!
At lunch I ate a fortune cookie….
and for extra luck… I ate the fortune.
Uh-oh! It’s Friday the 13th. AROOOOO!!!
The unluckiest day there is!
What if my valentine falls for another pup?
When I worry, I dig holes in the lawn.… it helps ground me.
I find a four-leaf clover, and I hear a little girl singing the song, “Puppy Love!”
… AROOOOO!!!
Sniff, sniff, sniff … AROOOOO!!!
LOVE is in the air!
I’m so excited my zoomies are uncontrollable!
… THERE SHE IS!
I wag my tail and run to her.
I jump and bark, “My valentine!”
My girl picks me up… rubs my belly…and she says,
“Scruffy little valentine, be mine!”
AROOOOO!!!… it’s love at first bark!
a woofmate is cute – so much puppy love all through
Abbie, are you trying to get single spaces instead of double?
If so, you can go to the beginning of a line, press delete to take it up to the previous line, and then shift enter to create a single spaced line instead of a a double.
VALENTINE TWITTERS
by Poupette Smith (214 words)
“I won’t think about it. If I do, it won’t happen.”
“Don’t be silly. Just knock on wood.”
“I’m not superstitious.”
“Too bad. Try wishing. I bet it comes true.”
Ok. I wish for Lark to serenade under my nest on Valentine’s Day.
“That’s the spirit! I’ll cross my fingers. Is Valentine’s on Friday?”
“No, but Alfie’s black cat comes home Friday.”
“Uh oh! Better find a four-leaf clover!”
“And if I don’t?”
“Carry a horseshoe in your pocket. Break a leg!”
Crash!
“Lark?”
“Ouch! Stupid window! So much for tweeting Rabbit Rabbit!”
“Rabbit Rabbit? Why?”
“Can’t tell you or I’ll crash again.”
“Don’t be silly. Eat some black-eyed peas.”
“I’m not superstitious.”
“Haha! Second time’s the charm. Wish again.”
“OK, I am wishing…. On Valentine’s day Robin serenades under my branch.”
“That’s the spirit! I will hang an empty hornet’s nest. Should work, unless Valentine’s falls on a full moon?”
“No, but it’s supposed to rain. What if I open my umbrella inside by mistake?
“It won’t rain. Just leave a dream catcher over your door. Or cancel your pre-Valentine pedicure. Good luck!”
Valentine’s Day was looking pretty iffy. Would the lovebirds’ wishes come true?
Yes! A dawn duet awoke the forest on that sunny morning. Lark and Robin each got their wish!
silly ‘twitter-pated’ birds – reminds me of a bambi scene
Valentine’s Day CANCELED!
by Katelyn Owensby
214 Words
“Don’t forget your cards tomorrow, kids!”
My teacher was practically singing.
Another Valentine’s Day…
Ugh. The WORST.
I zipped up my backpack
and tried to ignore the giggles.
As if the girls didn’t tease me enough already.
What was it they said last week?
“You love Lily so much, you CLONED her!”
I mean, YUCK.
If only I could get out of school.
No candy hearts or flowers for me, thanks—
I’ll pretend to be sick!
No, that won’t work.
They caught me last time—
thermometer still on the light bulb.
I could run away!
Well, it’s pretty cold out there.
Unusually cold for February, actually…
That’s it!
I’ll make it snow.
My tricks work every time.
Snip. Snip. Snip.
I covered all the windows with paper snowflakes.
Wore my pajamas inside out and backward.
Only one thing left to do…
RIIIIIIIIIIIING.
I jumped out of bed at 2:14 A.M.
Dropped one single ice cube into the toilet.
Swoooosh.
I watched it swirl
and said a prayer.
In the morning,
I pulled back the curtain.
CANCELED!
I bounced on the bed.
Chocolate strawberries and hot cocoa
on a cold Valentine’s Day at home.
Just me, myself, and I—
drawing hearts in the snow…
around Lily’s name.
Ahhhhh.
A Valentine’s Day miracle.
XOXO.
I love this one, Katelyn. I’m from Canada, so I’m very familiar with the snow day superstitions. My 11 and 12 year do them every time there’s a hint of snow in the forcast.
Thank you so much, Lisa! My kids were very excited to add the ice cube trick to our repertoire. 😆 We love a snow day in our house. ❄️❄️❄️
Really well done! Love his unique superstition. The thermometer trick is an old friend of mine from childhood. This is a relatable and likable character!
Ha! Thank you ❤️ I’m embarrassed to say I used the thermometer trick at least once after I was grown and married. 😂😂
Karen Jonice Bricker 200 wds
Valentiny Writing Contest
TWO AT A TIME
I clomp upstairs, two at a time, making sure to do it just right.
I must find a gift for Grandma that’s shiny and bright.
Today is Valentine’s Day. My wish will come true, if I step by two.
But if I alter one step and not go upstairs by two,
my luck will run out and that will simply not do. “Here I go!”
Oh, no I skipped one! Everything feels wrong.
How will I find a treasure for Grandma. I must do it right,
and start all over again.
Two, four, six, eight, ten!! It’s dark! There sits an old chest in the corner.
I turn the key slowly, and discover sparkling jewelry, frilly dresses, and
straw hats, and at the very bottom a pile of letters with a shiny red heart.
I can barely make out the words, then, I see “Love, Grandpa”.
I know Grandma would love to see them once again.
It a treasure from the past that will certainly brighten her day.
Gently, I rested her letters on her lap, and she paused…
then raised her hand to her cheek and gave me a smile.
A gift from me to you. Happy Valentine’s Grandma!
aw… sweet gift.
COUCH POTATO
By Eric Sondergeld (209 Words)
Gulla loves watching TV from the comfort of the couch.
She watches so much TV, her family calls her a couch potato.
Her brother Brad teases her, saying that when Valentine’s Day is the day after Friday the 13th, couches eat couch potatoes in the weeks that follow.
On Friday, February 13th, Gulla can’t concentrate at school or enjoy her favorite activity … exchanging Valentine’s Day cards with her classmates.
Frightened of the couch, Gulla skips her Valentine’s Day tradition of watching Be My Valentine, Charlie Brown.
Slowly, Gulla returns to watching TV while sitting on a hard kitchen chair that makes her butt sore.
She gives the couch a wide berth and avoids looking at it.
She still can’t help but imagine the couch slowly consuming her.
Gulla watches the news. There are no stories of couches eating people.
She tells Brad. He laughs and says he was just kidding about couches eating people.
Gulla angrily throws a cushion at him.
The next day she lays on the couch and flicks on the TV.
It is SOOOOO comfortable. She sinks deep into the couch’s cushions and slowly drifts off to sleep.
Little by little, the couch cushions envelope Gulla. Until…
…she disappears completely.
“Mmmmmm…,” the couch sighs with delight.
Nice original idea. Love the twist!
Great twist! Love this Twilight Zone-ish version of Valentine’s Day. So much sweetness out there, it’s nice to see some creepy mixed in.
Delightfully dark and creepy!
Haha I love the spookiness — so fun and unexpected mix with VDay.
So weird and wonderful! Love it!
Such a fun and gory story! Gulla is in for a surprise…….sigh!
ENTRY POSTED FOR KATHERINE
Valentine’s Day At Bunnyhenge – Dr. Katherine Gramoglia
There was a small boy who lived in the beach cities who’s mother had passed away. His father and grandfather adored him and he was called “little guy.” The boy told his father that he wanted a mother figure who would take him places. The lady who was befriended was a Native American named Pocahontas who immediately liked little guy and wanted him to see many places. The boy had a sense of adventure and wanted to visit places of interest in the community which were little known.
Pocahontas discovered a place none of them had ever seen near City Hall called Bunnyhenge. Little guy saw a picture of Bunnyhenge and started laughing and dancing with the happiness of a one year old. Pocahontas and the boy decided to go to Bunnyhenge on Valentine’s Day since it was said to be connected to a love story involving long ago sailors. Little guy was especially excited that the white bunnies had green, blue, and pink eyes. He and his family knew the merriment and mischief of St. Valentine which tales of Bunnyhenge recounted.
Thanks for sharing the tale of Bunnyhenge!
Lucky’s Valentine (135 words)
by Sue Heavenrich
It was Friday the Thirteenth and Lucky had one last delivery. She tucked a penny under her collar and knocked on the desk three times. Then, tail held high, she set off at a run. Would she make it in time?
Lucky raced under a ladder, barely making it to the other side before a bucket of paint fell off. She stepped on sidewalk cracks too numerous to count, and leaped over a black cat crossing in front of her, barely missing a mirror.
There was only one more obstacle: a revolving door with a reputation for trapping tails.
Lucky scooted through an opening, shot out the other side, sprang up the stairs and skidded into the old lady’s apartment.
“A valentine for me? I’m the luckiest grandma in the world!”
Lucky purred her agreement.
This is such a sweet story!!
Unluckiest Valentine
By Staci Talley
Word count: 202
I stood at my door, holding Sable’s Valentine.
My whiskers twitched. My paws wouldn’t move.
What if she doesn’t like it? What if she doesn’t like me?
“Go on, honey!” Mom’s voice called from inside. I opened the door and stepped outside.
Kids walked past with Valentines. Hearts hung in every window.
I turned the corner and… Oh no!
A ladder, but too late, I was already under it!
Bad luck.
SPLAT! Cold paint between my ears!
I checked my reflection in the window.
Right on my black fur… A pink Valentine heart.
Good Luck?
I kept going, searching for house number 13.
Oh no! A black cat crossed the sidewalk ahead of me.
A black cat crossing another black cat’s path…that’s double bad luck!
I should turn back.
But I looked at Sable’s valentine.
No, I have to keep going.
The black cat turned up a walkway at house 12, right next to number 13.
Sable’s house!
My heart pounded.
13. The unluckiest number of all.
I knocked.
Sable opened the door and grinned. “Dash, I knew you’d come!
“I love your pink heart!” She held up a Valentine. “I made you one too!”
I grinned back.
Luckiest Valentine’s Day ever.
This is such a sweet story!
did not mean to come y in my own story 🙄 😩 can’t detect it.
ENTRY POSTED FOR BRONCHELLE
The Lovely Law of Candy Hearts
by Bronchelle Parker
213 words
Bloom Middle School’s Funny Valentine Ball was the sweetest dance of the year.
And yet, K.D. stood by the punch bowl clutching a half-eaten box of candy hearts, positively petrified.
“Hurry up, dude,” yelled K.D.’s best friend, Adonis, over the music. “The dance is almost over.”
“Aw, man.” All jittery, K.D. stared at the blank candy heart in his trembling hand.
Everyone at Bloom Middle knew that if you got a candy heart without words on it, you had to give it to your crush.
If not, everything you ate would taste like mustard forever…and ever.
K.D. imagined eating mustard-flavored ice cream.
“Blech, yikes.”
As scary as it was, he’d take his chances with his crush.
“Tick-tick, man,” warned Adonis.
Pacing frantically, K.D. scanned the gym for the only girl he’d liked since 2nd grade: Bianca Weaver.
Suddenly, SMACK. K.D. crashed into someone, spilling all his candy hearts on the floor.
“Sorry,” groaned a familiar voice.
It was Bianca.
“N-no, it’s my bad,” stuttered K.D.
Bianca smiled bashfully.
“I just…wanted to give you this,” she said, slipping something into K.D.’s hand before darting off.
K.D. checked his hand and instantly wobbled like Jell-O.
“Dude, what’d she give you?” Adonis crept up.
Grinning, K.D. held out his hand. “It’s a…it’s a blank candy heart.”
“everything you ate would taste like mustard forever/ mustard-flavored ice cream”. What a creative and strong image to use for the consequence. I am usually a fan of ANY ice cream, but even I would pass on mustard! bravo.
I love this one, Bronchelle. It has a distinctly upper elementary vibe which is so refreshing. Best of luck!
Lisa
Ruby and Raffle Basket 4EVER
by Rebecca Tronrud (214 words)
It was bedtime on January 30th.
Ruby was nervous.
Sleepy? Yes.
Thirsty? Sure.
But definitely nervous.
Ruby had to say “rabbit rabbit” first thing in the morning.
In December, she forgot. It was no coincidence she got sick on Christmas.
In January, she yelled “Happy New Year!” first. That was obviously why she lost her favorite bracelet.
In February, she needed good luck.
Ruby had heart eyes for her school’s Valentine’s Raffle Basket. It had everything! Heart sunnies, lava cake mix, sparkle slime. They were clearly meant to be. Ruby and Raffle Basket 4EVER.
“Rabbit rabbit,” Ruby repeated until she drifted off.
When she woke, Ruby was on top of a chocolate cake volcano. Raffle tickets spewed from its mouth. Ruby scrambled and jumped but couldn’t catch a single one.
Ruby’s eyes flew open. 2:14 AM. She calmed her heart and closed her eyes.
Next thing she knew, Ruby was at her class Valentine’s party.
“You’ve won the raffle, Ruby! Come claim your prize!” said the principal.
But Ruby couldn’t move. She was sinking into a sparkle slime puddle!
Ruby shot up in bed. Morning sun stung her eyes.
“RABBIT RABBIT!” Ruby yelled. Finally, everything was looking rosy.
“Be mine,” she whispered to the basket at school. “I can’t wait for Valentine’s Day.”
Lots of kids can relate to waking up in the night – 2:14 perfect.
“They were clearly meant to be” – so cute!!
Lucky Penny
By Jesse Anna Bornemann
Word Count: 185
Red streamers swayed above the door,
And hearts adorned each wall.
From her spot inside the tip jar,
Penny marveled at it all.
Was this day a special one?
The mood felt light and strange.
If you’ll pardon silly wordplay,
Penny thought, “My luck might change.”
It wasn’t that her life was hard—
She’d traveled near and far.
To shopping centers! Drugstores!
And, of course, this cozy jar.
She just felt she was worth much more
Than one small, humble cent.
She had a splotch, a scratch, a scrape,
Plus one impressive dent.
She watched the diners come and go,
Their eyes all tired and bleary.
Wanda filled their coffee cups.
To Penny, she seemed weary.
“Order up!” A bell rang out,
And here came someone new.
Wait—Penny recognized this man!
He looked right at her too.
“Hey, that’s the cent I threw!” he cried,
His dark gray eyes aglimmer.
“The fountain!” Penny thought. “Ah, yes
…how lucky I’m a swimmer!”
“I wished for my true valentine,”
He smiled—and Wanda grinned.
“Why, what a lovely wish,” she said.
“How might that story end?”
What an adorable story! How fun that it’s from the perspective of the penny, so unique!
truly a lucky penny!
Love this!
LIV’S TRUE LOVE
By Stephanie Flom
WC 125
Liv’s stomach twirled.
For weeks she had prepared for this day.
Tape.
Tie.
Swish.
But February 14th was finally here.
Her cheeks flushed as she thought about the possibilities.
Would the day end in triumph or heartbreak?
Tape.
Tie.
Swish.
Liv felt ready but couldn’t leave anything to chance.
She rubbed her rabbit foot key chain.
Spun three times.
Put on her lucky socks.
Liv’s heart pounded.
She thought about turning back.
What if all her hard work wasn’t enough?
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath as she heard–
“Welcome to the Skate for the Roses Hockey Tournament!”
Her socks were taped tight.
Her laces double tied.
Liv swished onto the ice to spend her Valentine’s Day with her true love…
Hockey.
Stephanie, the repetition of “tape, tie, swish” not only sounds good- it kept me guessing. Lovely reveal for the ending.
ENTRY POSTED FOR ELLEN
The Superstitious Movements of Sweets’ Valentine
By Ellen Akemi Crosby
214 words
It is all over school.
The whispering,
The sly glances,
Why red, why pink, why lace all over?
Are they all like this?
Some say yes,
Or else it’s bad luck.
Or it’s not really love.
But, Sweetheart,
Sweets for short.
Chases the elusive Valentine.
“It’s good luck,” she insists.
But, only if it is
Red and pink with lace all over.
It showed up.
First, in the library
Then, in the gym
Atop of Mr. Roger’s desk.
Sweets was always one step behind.
She saw it take flight;
Couldn’t find where it landed.
The bathroom door flew open.
It shot past her, “Swoosh!”
Auditorium chairs, searched.
Lockers thoroughly checked.
Tears filled Sweets eyes.
Is it bad luck
If it is red and pink and lace all over?
Outside she spied a splash of pink.
A gust of wind lifted it high.
She chased it to a stand of trees.
Climbed every one.
Sweets was stymied, sad, and sore.
She trudged back to class.
Harump!
She landed hard on her seat.
Head on her desk.
It was hot.
Mr. Rogers opened the windows.
Another gust of wind, then
Something red and pink and lace all over
Floated
Glided
And, found lucky Sweets.
floating elusive valentines – clever
Very cute, Ellen. And hooray for Lucky Sweets!
IF I’M LUCKY
By Webb Smith (WC 193)
Heart pounding and full of nerves, Charlie ambled along the sidewalk. His homemade sign read, “Will you be my Valentine?”
“Maybe she’ll say ‘Yes,’” he thought. “If I’m really, really lucky.”
With sweaty palms, he opened the gate and shuffled towards her front porch.
MEOW!
Out of nowhere, a black cat streaked across his path.
“NOOOO!” cried Charlie.
He couldn’t afford bad luck. Not now.
He dropped to his hands and knees and searched frantically.
Perhaps he could find a lucky penny! Nope.
A four-leaf clover? Nope.
A ladybug, a rabbit’s foot, a horseshoe, anything?!
“DOES ANYONE HAVE SOME SALT?” he yelled to no one.
It was useless. Luck was nowhere to be found.
Charlie sighed in despair.
Forced to accept his fate, he trudged onto the porch and knocked on the solid wooden door.
Suddenly, he realized that he had just –
CREAK
The knot in his stomach returned as he faced Tori, the cute girl with freckles and pretty eyes.
Charlie smiled awkwardly and held up his sign.
Tori read the sign, blushed slightly, and then beamed while nodding, “Yes.”
“Knock on wood.” thought Charlie. “Today must be my lucky day.”
OMIgosh….I was right there with Charlie frantically searching for good luck charms! Way to amp up the tension, Webb! Love this!
I love the twist! Sneaky accidental luck for the win!
Lucky on Valentine’s Day
On his way to school on Valentine’s Day, Milo found a shiny penny. Good luck was a heads up, and Milo had to have it, according to Grandma. He was giving Lila a heart card and was quite a superstitious person. He did not even step on the pavement cracks as his father used to joke that they are letters wobbling. He prostrated himself before all the ladybugs. Even now, he was not brave enough to look at a poster of a black cat in the doorway.
It happened at recess, when a box of Valentine’s belonging to him was carried away by the wind, and the cards resembled red birds. “Oh,” he said to himself, wishing as he crossed his fingers. A girl helped him gather them. It was Lila. She had slipped a handmade card into his box containing seven little heart-shaped hearsay.
“For luck,” she said.
Milo banged the wood and laughed. Or maybe it was not pennies and cracks and cats, which were good. Maybe people had been pleasant on big-feeling days. He had handed Lila his card, and nothing bad happened. His heart was frolicsome and bold and promised the morning. The Valentine magic stayed.
The Luckiest Unlucky Cat
By Monique Stuart German
WC: 214
Boone knew he was an unlucky cat because he was all black – not even a white-striped nose, or white socks, or a white tip to his fluffy tail.
Tomorrow was Valentine’s Day, all about love, and Boone thought that nobody could possibly love an unlucky cat.
He padded along, alone, when he saw a girl about to pass under a ladder. Terrible misfortune! Boone had to act. The least he could do was save someone else from bad luck.
Meeoow, pow! He jumped out, surprising her, and she stepped around the ladder. Safe!
Wait – she was about to step on a crack! More bad luck! He yowled and prowled around to keep her on an unlined track. Whew!
Oh, no . . . a penny, tail sides up! No good, and she was leaning over to PICK IT UP!
Boone pounced and batted the coin. HEADS! The girl smiled, pocketed it, and stroked Boone’s black fur.
I better stick around, Boone thought. She might try to open an umbrella indoors!
The next day, as the girl asked for the thirteenth time to adopt Boone, her mama said, “Okay! It’s lucky to find such a wonderful friend.”
Boone purred as the girl snuggled him. She said, “Luck has nothing to do with it. Only love!”
This is so fun. Love the different angle of trying to save someone from bad luck. Haven’t seen that yet and it’s super cute.
What a sweet little guy! And a lucky girl!
WADDLESWORTH’S (UN)LUCKY VALENTINE’S DAY
By Anna Marie Evans
Word Count: 208
—
Waddlesworth the penguin searched all day for the perfect valentine. Finally, he found it: the best heart-shaped rock ever! Perhaps the greatest in all of Antarctica. He knew his cousin in New Zealand would love it.
FIND A ROCK, PICK IT UP, ALL DAY LONG YOU’LL HAVE GOOD LUCK.
Waddlesworth felt very lucky. He put the rock in an envelope and leisurely strolled down the penguin highway towards the post office.
Then, he slipped on some ice. WHOOSH!
SLIP ON SOME ICE, SPIN AROUND TWICE.
Waddlesworth couldn’t risk any bad luck on Valentine’s Day. He twirled around twice, then continued walking towards the post office.
Then, a giant seal crossed the highway. Ga-LUMPH! Ga-LUMPH!
IF A SEAL CROSSES YOUR PATH, DO SOME MATH.
Waddlesworth groaned. Not again! He needed to get his valentine to the post office before it closed. “2+14=16… 14-2=12…” he muttered and continued jogging towards the post office.
It was getting dark. Waddlesworth checked his watch – the post office would close soon! He was almost out of time!!
IF YOU’RE RUNNING OUT OF TIME, MAKE UP A RHYME.
“I don’t have time for another superstition,” Waddlesworth cried, bursting through the post office door just in time. “I’m on an important Valentine’s mission!”
Very cute! I like the unique superstitions.
Aye to Aye in Love
By Erica Chester
Felix is a fearsome pirate
Son, Jonah, is one too
Felix’s known for his good luck
Jonah’s misfortune leaves him blue
Jonah’s asking Cecile on a date
He first asks his dad for advice
‘You need to turn your luck around, son
Start rolling six on the dice’
Jonah puts on his lucky-duck socks
The luckiest pair he owns
He picks up his lucky penny
And avoids his dad’s crossbones
He’s crossed his fingers
He’s knocked on wood
and wished on a star
just as hard as he could
With horseshoe in one pocket
And rabbit-foot in the second
A four-leaf-clover in his buttonhole
Good luck really is beckoned
Cecile lives across the harbour
Jonah sets off aboard pirate ship
He’s worked himself up quite a lot
Especially for such a short trip
Cecile agrees to a date tonight
She walks him back to the shore
They see his ship floating out to sea
Did I put out the anchor before?
So, he got the girl, but lost the ship
He starts the long walk ‘round the bay
Ready to face his father’s wrath
What a mixed-up Valentine’s Day!
*buttonhole
I swear I wrote this! Autocorrect can be a nightmare!!
The Upside-Down Heart
By Jodie Houghton
213 words
For me, hearts are unlucky. You see, when I draw, things sometimes come out upside down. And an upside-down heart is… a bottom! So, normally, I avoid them superstitiously, like I do black cats. But how can I make a Valentine’s Day card for Papa without hearts? I need to be brave.
I try drawing while doing a headstand.
I try drawing using my feet.
I try drawing while blindfolded.
But nothing works! All I have to show for my effort are lots of wiggly, wobbly bottoms!
Papa knocks on the door. “What’s all this?” he asks.
“I wanted to make you a Valentine’s Day card with a heart on it,” I say, sobbing. “But I failed!”
Papa smiles. “You think you were trying to draw a heart, but I think you were trying to show me you love me. And you’ve truly succeeded!”
I smile back, and pick a bottom up off the floor. “Happy Valentine’s Day!”
Papa kisses my head, then puts the upside-down heart on the shelf.
“Time for bed?” he asks. I nod. All that drawing has tired me out. Plus, the sun will be rising soon.
We flap our bat wings and hang upside down on the ceiling.
“Look,” Papa says, pointing to my card. “A perfect heart!”
cute ending!