Tag: OMG Chocolate Desserts

Would You Read It Wednesday #400 – Welcome To The Word Factory (PB)

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Hi there, everyone!

Wow! It seems like forever since we had a Would You Read It! It’s really only been a couple weeks, but Halloweensie kind of takes over the world 😊

Somehow we’re halfway through November! – how did THAT happen?! – and just 8 days away from Thanksgiving. I am cooking and have barely given it a thought and still don’t know exactly how many I’m cooking for. But you know me. I’m a daredevil. Live life on the edge – that’s me! Leave it to the last minute! That’s my motto 😊

Oh, no, wait. My motto is EAT CHOCOLATE CAKE!

Right now!

Let’s have Something Chocolate!

Since today is our pitcher’s birthday (Happy Birthday, Deborah!!! 😊🎈🎁🎉) I feel pretty sure we can’t go wrong with 24 layers of chocolatey goodness! Grab a fork(lift!) and dig in!

24 Layer Chocolate Cake

Recipe HERE at OMG Chocolate Desserts

YUM! And since we’re celebrating a birthday, help yourselves to seconds and thirds!

Now then, onto today’s pitch which comes to us from birthday girl Deborah. Deborah Foster is a mother, an architectural drafter, and a fantastic cook. She is a member of 12×12, Inked Voices, and SCBWI. She is always looking for more writing friends on Twitter. Follow her @DeborahClaytonF or check out her blog at www.deborahfosterbooks.com.

Here is her pitch:

Working Title: Welcome To The Word Factory

Age/Genre: Picture Book (ages 4-8)

The Pitch: Come along on a tour of The Word Factory and listen as EP (exclamation point) explains how words are discovered, spelled, and defined. Despite the repeated interruptions from Oxford, EP is unaware of the growing problem until the tour arrives at the lunchroom where they find a messed up menu and hangry punctuation marks. Thankfully, EP knows the perfect punctuation needed, “Oh Oxford!”

So what do you think?  Would You Read It?  YES, MAYBE or NO?

If your answer is YES, please feel free to tell us what you particularly liked and why the pitch piqued your interest.  If your answer is MAYBE or NO, please feel free to tell us what you think could be better in the spirit of helping Deborah improve her pitch.  Helpful examples of possible alternate wordings are welcome.  (However I must ask that comments be constructive and respectful.  I reserve the right not to publish comments that are mean because that is not what this is about.)

Please send YOUR pitches for the coming weeks!  For rules and where to submit, click on this link Would You Read It or on Would You Read it in the dropdown under For Writers in the bar above.  There are openings in January, so you have a little time to polish your pitch before putting it up for helpful feedback and a chance to have it read and commented on by editor Erin Molta!

Deborah is looking forward to your thoughts on her pitch!  I am looking forward to cleaning my house!

No. You’re right. That is a total falsehood!

How about this? I am looking forward to my house being clean!

That is completely true. I just wish Violet would do the cleaning. But she is busy with other things 😊

Someone needs to savagely chew this toy into a billion pieces and leave them all over the rug! Leave it to me! I’m a total pro!

Have a wonderful Wednesday everyone!!! 😊

Would You Read It Wednesday #397 – Hibernation Exasperation (PB)

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Tra la! It’s Would You Read It Wednesday!

Which prompts me to ponder the following:

Pithy Polly penned a pack of perfect pitches,
A pack of perfect pitches Pithy Polly penned;
If Pithy Polly penned a pack of perfect pitches,
Where’s the pack of perfect pitches Pithy Polly penned?

Now say that 5 times fast 😊

Now say it 5 times fast with your mouth full of Something Chocolate (and try not to spit crumbs all over your keyboard 😊)

Hershey’s Chocolate Cheesecake Cake

Recipe HERE at OMG Chocolate Desserts

All I have to say to that chocolate cake is YUM! Come to Mama! 😊

And the answer to where Pithy Polly’s pack of perfect pitches got to is, of course, right here, where a peck of practiced pitchers can always be found!

Let’s have a look at today’s pitch which comes to us from Melisa who says, “By day, I work in the corporate world, but at night and on weekends I wrangle words into stories.  Writing has always been an interest of mine, and over the past couple years I’ve decided to give it the time it deserves. This story started as a seedling during Storystorm 2021 and I’m glad that it actually blossomed into something rather than dying on the vine.  I’m definitely a better writer than a gardener. Thank you for your help with my pitch.”

Find her on the web at Melisa Wrex (Twitter @mowrex)

Here is her pitch:

Working Title: Hibernation Exasperation

Age/Genre: Picture Book (ages 4-7)

The Pitch: We all have that one neighbor…Groundhog just wants to hibernate, but tiny miscommunications keep Beaver SMACK WHACK WHACKing at the door—offering ingredients for…soup?!  Groundhog has to figure out a way to get the message across before Beaver whittles hibernation season down to a mere nap. Back matter, colorfully narrated by Beaver, includes fun facts about groundhogs and the uniquely U.S. holiday—Groundhog Day. 

So what do you think?  Would You Read It?  YES, MAYBE or NO?

If your answer is YES, please feel free to tell us what you particularly liked and why the pitch piqued your interest.  If your answer is MAYBE or NO, please feel free to tell us what you think could be better in the spirit of helping Melisa improve her pitch.  Helpful examples of possible alternate wordings are welcome.  (However I must ask that comments be constructive and respectful.  I reserve the right not to publish comments that are mean because that is not what this is about.)

Please send YOUR pitches for the coming weeks!  For rules and where to submit, click on this link Would You Read It or on Would You Read it in the dropdown under For Writers in the bar above.  There are openings in January, so you have time to polish your pitch before putting it up for helpful feedback and a chance to have it read and commented on by editor Erin Molta!

Melisa is looking forward to your thoughts on her pitch!  I am looking forward to the upcoming Halloweensie Contest, only 16 days away! In case you missed this year’s contest guideline, they are posted HERE. I hope you’ll all come join the fun!

Have a wonderful Wednesday everyone!!! 😊

Would You Read It Wednesday #395 – Readerosaurus (PB)

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Well, would you look at that?

It’s time for Would You Read It Wednesday again!

I don’t know about you guys, but ever since the whole pandemic thing started (and by the way, whose idea was that because we totally shouldn’t listen to them any more!) it feels like everything has ground to a halt. I used to actually do stuff, but these days going to the mailbox is what passes for excitement around here.

Imagine, therefore, the absolute thrill I got today when I was out walking the dogs and. . . wait for it!. . . I saw a cray fish crossing the road! I kid you not! I mean, come on! That’s big news! I’ve lived here for just shy of 29 years and never seen a cray fish before, on or off the road. I’m not sure what business a cray fish had wandering around in the road far, far away (in cray fish miles) from anything that could be classified as water. So I think the only question to be asked here is. . . (I know it, you know it, let’s ask it together!) . . .

Why did the cray fish cross the road? 🤣

Surely there’s a picture book in that!

Anyway, cray fish aside, I do believe it’s time for Something Chocolate! Now that autumn is in the air, I know that even though it’s too early o’clock, you are all sitting around your own personal campfires faint with hunger, so what could be better for our Something Chocolate snack than S’mores Cupcakes?

a. nothing
b. what time exactly is too early o’clock?
c. Colonel Mustard in the conservatory with the candlestick
d. who stole the cookie from the cookie jar?

I’m sorry. Did I forget to say there was a pop quiz? Well there is, and you were all wrong (unless you said (a)). The correct answer is:
e. Toto, I have a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore! Have a S’mores Cupcake!

Perfect S’mores Cupcakes

Recipe HERE at OMG Chocolate Desserts

Now then, onto today’s pitch which comes to us from Jennifer who says, “¡Hola! I’m Jennifer the mother of The Readerosaurus (@Readerosaurus for IG and Twitter).  I have been itching to do a story about a kiddo or dino or kiddo wearing dino costume and using his voice to be heard! 

My son last year heard about a local center closing in our state and he decided to offer his drawings to donate to people who make a donation to the center. 

In doing so he was about to get over $5,000 of donations to go to the center. This helped make sure they didn’t close during 2020 when Covid was affecting many places.  He read all 7 continents and all 50 states his joy and excitement for helping a place was just unbelievable. He wanted to help so much. Any money he was given he put towards the center. 

I thought wow a child who is 6 has such a big heart and wants to reach so many people has to be heard. His joy and kindness spread like wild fire. Who would have thought this 6 year old’s voice would matter. 

So the story idea came to life. In a perfect world I want to have this book so that I can get proceeds from the book to donate to places all over the world that need help with their animals. Maybe it’s a zoo, an aquarium or maybe a marine center. Anyway we can help we want to!”

Here is her pitch:

Working Title: Readerosaurus

Age/Genre: Picture Book (ages 4-8)

The Pitch: A kid who loves dinosaurs all because he devours books finds out that his favorite place in the whole world is closing and there isn’t anything he can do about it. Or is there? 
Will his roar be heard among giants? 

So what do you think?  Would You Read It?  YES, MAYBE or NO?

If your answer is YES, please feel free to tell us what you particularly liked and why the pitch piqued your interest.  If your answer is MAYBE or NO, please feel free to tell us what you think could be better in the spirit of helping Jennifer improve her pitch.  Helpful examples of possible alternate wordings are welcome.  (However I must ask that comments be constructive and respectful.  I reserve the right not to publish comments that are mean because that is not what this is about.)

Please send YOUR pitches for the coming weeks!  For rules and where to submit, click on this link Would You Read It or on Would You Read it in the dropdown under For Writers in the bar above.  There are openings in January, so you have time to polish your pitch before putting it up for helpful feedback and a chance to have it read and commented on by editor Erin Molta!

Jennifer is looking forward to your thoughts on her pitch!  I am looking forward to a little sleuthing. Someone’s got to! That crafty cray fish was clearly up to something. . .and I’m going to find out what!

Have a wonderful Wednesday everyone!!! 😊

Would You Read It Wednesday #393 – The Good Wolf (PB)

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Howdy Friends!

How’s the first week of school going for everyone? Hopefully your school buses are showing up!

Things are busy in my neck of the woods, but I got a surprise visit from my sister, so that was amazing! (Too short, but I guess every visit is. We should live closer!)

Also, in my quest to discover that which is nonessential but endlessly entertaining, I found out that Violet’s DNA test claims she is a mix of 24 breeds including 9% Chihuahua, which is why even though she looks like this:

she still clearly thinks she’s a lap dog 😊

It’s all in how you see yourself, right? 😊 I’m pretty sure there are a whole lot of good picture book ideas in that!

I don’t know about you, but I see myself having a little Something Chocolate right about now. Chocolate Oreo Cheesecake Chocolate Cake anyone? Why yes, thank you, don’t mind if I do! 😊

Oreo Cheesecake Chocolate Cake

Recipe HERE at OMG Chocolate Desserts

Now then, onto today’s pitch which comes to us from Hannah who says, “Hello, there! I’m Hannah, an army wife, mother to three boys, and children’s writer. I love writing for kids because it brings out the kid in me 😊”

Find her on the web at https://www.hannahlapehnbooks.com/

Here is her pitch:

Working Title: The Good Wolf

Age/Genre: Picture Book (ages 4-8)

The Pitch: All Wolfington wants is to be included, but when he goes into town, grandmothers hide, pigs squeal, and sheep faint. Fed up with the big bad wolf stereotype, Wolfington sets out to prove that his heart is bigger than his stomach.

So what do you think?  Would You Read It?  YES, MAYBE or NO?

If your answer is YES, please feel free to tell us what you particularly liked and why the pitch piqued your interest.  If your answer is MAYBE or NO, please feel free to tell us what you think could be better in the spirit of helping Hannah improve her pitch.  Helpful examples of possible alternate wordings are welcome.  (However I must ask that comments be constructive and respectful.  I reserve the right not to publish comments that are mean because that is not what this is about.)

Please send YOUR pitches for the coming weeks!  For rules and where to submit, click on this link Would You Read It or on Would You Read it in the dropdown under For Writers in the bar above.  There are openings in October, so you could get your pitch up pretty soon for helpful feedback and a chance to have it read and commented on by editor Erin Molta!

Hannah is looking forward to your thoughts on her pitch!  I am looking forward to reading the pile of picture books on my desk – some new, some just new to me – but all of them look good!

Have a wonderful Wednesday everyone!!! 😊

Would You Read It Wednesday #391 – Lucy And The Fear Monsters (PB)

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Hello, my fellow kids’ book lovers!

Today I have Dr. De Soto by William Steig on the brain because yes, you guessed it, I have to go to the dentist. I don’t know about you, but this is the first time I’ve been since covid. I am not looking forward to it!

I’m sorry to admit I have a long history of bad behavior with dentists, starting with my first visit at age 5 when I bit the dentist hard enough to draw blood and my mom was told in no uncertain terms never to bring me back! As a result, I had to go to a “children’s specialist” the primary benefit of which was that it made my siblings jealous 😊

Probably I should write a story about something to do with teeth!

But while I think on that, we should all help ourselves to Something Chocolate, because that makes everything better, don’t you agree? Even the dentist!

For our Something Chocolate today I have finally found it – the perfect chocolate breakfast item – No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Cups! It’s like an oatmeal cupcake with chocolate! Easy, delicious, portable, and most of all, CHOCOLATE! 😊

Recipe HERE at OMG Chocolate Desserts

I mean really. Does breakfast get any better than that? 😊

Now then, onto today’s pitch which comes to us from Caitlin who says, “I suffer from an anxiety disorder and when I was a kid I was afraid of almost everything. This story is inspired by my own experiences in the hope it will help kids cope with their fears. You can find my online portfolio here:https://ckhan8.myportfolio.com/“

Here is her pitch:

Working Title: Lucy And The Fear Monsters

Age/Genre: Picture Book (ages 4-7)

The Pitch: Lucy’s fears are terribly inconvenient. She clings to the edge of the pool, holds tight to the first monkey bar, and hangs back at the petting zoo. Lucy takes to art and draws her fears as monsters scaring her away from diving in the pool, swinging on the monkey bars, and petting large animals. Then her fear monsters start showing up in real life trembling with fright and begging for Lucy’s help. Lucy must help her fear monsters cope with the very same anxieties she faces herself before they follow her around indefinitely. 

So what do you think?  Would You Read It?  YES, MAYBE or NO?

If your answer is YES, please feel free to tell us what you particularly liked and why the pitch piqued your interest.  If your answer is MAYBE or NO, please feel free to tell us what you think could be better in the spirit of helping Caitlin improve her pitch.  Helpful examples of possible alternate wordings are welcome.  (However I must ask that comments be constructive and respectful.  I reserve the right not to publish comments that are mean because that is not what this is about.)

Please send YOUR pitches for the coming weeks!  For rules and where to submit, click on this link Would You Read It or on Would You Read it in the dropdown under For Writers in the bar above.  There are openings in May, so you could get your pitch up as early as next week for helpful feedback and a chance to have it read and commented on by editor Erin Molta!

Caitlin is looking forward to your thoughts on her pitch!  I am looking forward to having my dentist visit over! 🦷🦷🦷 😈

Have a wonderful Wednesday everyone!!! 😊

Would You Read It Wednesday #387 – Stop! Stop! (PB)

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Good Wednesday to you all!

This morning we have something very important to discuss. So important that it has to come even before chocolate!

I know!

It boggles the mind!

But here it is:

Last year we did a 7 week Mix ‘n’ Match Mini Writing Challenge. I had tons of fun. I hope you did too! So the question is, assuming I can think up some prompts and scare up some prizes, would you all like to do it again? I know we’re all (hopefully!) coming out of complete covid isolation and maybe not feeling so much like we need something extra to occupy our time in a fun way and keep us in contact, but I thought I’d put it out there. . .

I think I might run it on Mondays starting May 10th (which is pretty soon, so maybe we’d have to start on the 17th…) and run it for 6 or 7 weeks.

Please share your thoughts and opinions in the comment section!

Or, ooh! I could do a little mini poll! Please vote by Friday April 30th at midnight Eastern so if we decide to go ahead with this crazy little plan I have as much time as possible to pull it together! 😊

After all that excitement and the hemming and hawing of having to make a choice, I’m sure we could all use Something Chocolate! (I mean really, when could we NOT use Something Chocolate? 😊) How about some Cookie Dough Brownies? That sounds like a healthy way to start the day, doesn’t it? 😊

Recipe HERE at OMG Chocolate Desserts

If you’re drooling on your keyboard, please feel free to go get a napkin 🤣

Now then, onto today’s pitch which comes to us from Diane who says, “I love all writing but I particularly enjoy creating stories for children. I write picture books and chapter books and use inspiration from my teaching, my interests in nature, travelling, diving and theatre, plus my sense of humour in creating my stories.”

Find her on the twitter at @Diane02789257

Here is her pitch:

Working Title: Stop! Stop!

Age/Genre: Picture Book (ages 4-7)

The Pitch: Three sea creature friends boring day suddenly turns into an adventure as they attempt to free themselves from some ocean waste and try to find a solution to their ocean home problem.

So what do you think?  Would You Read It?  YES, MAYBE or NO?

If your answer is YES, please feel free to tell us what you particularly liked and why the pitch piqued your interest.  If your answer is MAYBE or NO, please feel free to tell us what you think could be better in the spirit of helping Diane improve her pitch.  Helpful examples of possible alternate wordings are welcome.  (However I must ask that comments be constructive and respectful.  I reserve the right not to publish comments that are mean because that is not what this is about.)

Please send YOUR pitches for the coming weeks!  For rules and where to submit, click on this link Would You Read It or on Would You Read it in the dropdown under For Writers in the bar above.  There are openings in May, so you could get your pitch up pretty soon for helpful feedback and a chance to have it read and commented on by editor Erin Molta!

Diane is looking forward to your thoughts on her pitch!  I am looking forward to seeing what everyone thinks about whether or not to run the Mix ‘n’ Match Mini Writing Challenge again!

Have a wonderful Wednesday everyone!!! 😊

Would You Read It Wednesday #371 – My Antler Is Missing (PB)

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Seasons Greetings, my friends!

I think I can say that now that Thanksgiving is over and it’s December 😊❄️🎄

At some point in the not-too-distant future, I’m going to plug in all my holiday lights and see how many bulbs need replacing – always a fun job – which promises to be even more fun with Violet’s help! (Apparently there is no dog-tangled-in-Christmas-lights emoji, but there should be! 😊)

Since we’re embracing the Holiday Spirit, for today’s Something Chocolate let’s have some Candy Cane Pie! Doesn’t that sound delicious? And festive?!

Recipe HERE at OMG Chocolate Desserts

Look at that chocolate-y crust, the little chocolate chips, and that lovely chocolate drizzle! Yum! And so pretty with the candy canes sprinkled in! I know I don’t even need to remind you of the health benefits of eating vegetables for breakfast (peppermint is a leafy green, and chocolate is a bean!) 😊

Now then, onto today’s pitch which comes to us from Sarah. Sarah Tobias is a, writer, artist, master naturalist, and retired librarian. She loves rescuing worms from puddles, has a collection of dead insects, and found bones. She would rather be outside than inside even on a bad weather day. She discovered on the playground during recess, that the kids at school couldn’t remember if worms had eyes, she thought she should clear things up.

Here is her pitch:

Working Title: My Antler Is Missing

Age/Genre: Picture Book (ages 4-8)

The Pitch: “MY ANTLER IS MISSING” Moose cries when he wakes and scratches his head. A mystery is afoot. Moose and his bestie Mouse head off on an adventure discovering clues and track prints. They romp through the winter forest chasing down possible thieves as they search for Moose’s missing antler.

So what do you think?  Would You Read It?  YES, MAYBE or NO?

If your answer is YES, please feel free to tell us what you particularly liked and why the pitch piqued your interest.  If your answer is MAYBE or NO, please feel free to tell us what you think could be better in the spirit of helping Sarah improve her pitch.  Helpful examples of possible alternate wordings are welcome.  (However I must ask that comments be constructive and respectful.  I reserve the right not to publish comments that are mean because that is not what this is about.)

Please send YOUR pitches for the coming weeks!  For rules and where to submit, click on this link Would You Read It or on Would You Read it in the dropdown under For Writers in the bar above.  There are openings in January, so you could get your pitch up pretty soon for helpful feedback and a chance to have it read and commented on by editor Erin Molta!

Sarah is looking forward to your thoughts on her pitch!  I am looking forward to untangling miles of Christmas lights – so sparkly! 😊

Have a wonderful Wednesday everyone!!! 😊

Would You Read It Wednesday #367 – Dear Duchess (PB)

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It’s Would You Read It Wednesday!

And it’s the day before The Halloweensie Writing Contest opens!

And it’s only 3 days til Halloween!

Clearly the only way we’re going to be able to concentrate and get anything done is to have Something Chocolate!

(You know, there is always a way to make eating chocolate a rational and wise choice! 😊)

Since it’s Halloweensie and Halloween week, today’s Something Chocolate will be White Chocolate Mummy Truffles!!!

White Chocolate Mummy Truffles

Recipe HERE at OMG Chocolate Desserts

Okay. I know a lot of us feel that white chocolate isn’t real chocolate, only dark and milk chocolate’s poor cousin. But it is technically chocolate, and these mummies are so cute for a Halloween snack that I figured we could excuse white chocolate for being a bit of a wannabe today 😊

Now then, onto today’s pitch which comes to us from Nicole. A school social worker by day and a mama by every other waking moment, Nicole can usually be found laughing with her husband and two toddlers, drinking room temperature coffee, and cramming writing into every spare second.

Website: nicoleloosmiller.com

Here is her pitch:

Working Title: Dear Duchess

Age/Genre: Picture Book (ages 4-8)

The Pitch: When her octopus stuffie moves to the ocean to pursue a lifelong dream of becoming a mermaid, a young girl is forced to move out of her comfort zone and an octopus learns what is truly important.

So what do you think?  Would You Read It?  YES, MAYBE or NO?

If your answer is YES, please feel free to tell us what you particularly liked and why the pitch piqued your interest.  If your answer is MAYBE or NO, please feel free to tell us what you think could be better in the spirit of helping Nicole improve her pitch.  Helpful examples of possible alternate wordings are welcome.  (However I must ask that comments be constructive and respectful.  I reserve the right not to publish comments that are mean because that is not what this is about.)

Please send YOUR pitches for the coming weeks!  For rules and where to submit, click on this link Would You Read It or on Would You Read it in the dropdown under For Writers in the bar above.  There are openings in January, so you have time to polish your pitch before putting it up for helpful feedback and a chance to have it read and commented on by editor Erin Molta!

Nicole is looking forward to your thoughts on her pitch!  I am looking forward to

Have a wonderful Wednesday everyone!!! 😊

And can’t wait to see you TOMORROW for Halloweensie!!! 😊☢️

Would You Read It Wednesday #358 – Brave Allie Mallie (PB) PLUS The March Pitch Winner!!!

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Welcome to Would You Read It Wednesday, Everyone!

I know you’re all struggling to manage the demands of this somehow busier-than-it-should-be quarantine life, so let’s jump right into today’s pitch biz, shall we?

I’m happy to announce that the winner of the Late February/March Pitch Pick was Shae with her PB pitch for Skritch, Scratch, Sniffle!  Congratulations, Shae!  Your pitch has been sent to editor Erin Molta for her thoughts and I’m sure she will send them along at her earliest convenience!

Congratulations to our other pitchers as well!  Even if you don’t get to have Erin read your pitch, I hope the experience was still helpful and worthwhile and you’ve come out of it with a stronger pitch.  You were very brave to share your pitches for comment and feedback so we could all learn alongside you!

Given the stress of quarantine which causes some of us to never have to get out of our pajamas and others to wrestle with algebra and 4th grade social studies and what the proper use of a gerund is while also trying to run a business or file our taxes or write for deadlines etc, I think I speak for all of us when I say it’s time to break out the Something Chocolate!  How about some perfectly perfect Chocolate Filled French Silk Pie?

Chocolate Filled French Silk Pie

Yummy! yummy!! yummy!!!

 

So chocolate-y and delicious!!!  Now, go hang out your window and pretend you’re sailing the open seas or speeding down the big hill on your bike, roller blades, or skateboard, not stuck in your house! 😊

Now then, onto today’s pitch which comes to us from Elaine who says, “I’ve been writing children’s books for about three years and trying to climb the learning curve quickly!”

Find her on the web at www.elainekachala.com

Here is her pitch:

Working Title: Brave Allie Mallie

Age/Genre: Picture Book (ages 4-8)

The Pitch: When Brave Allie Mallie accidentally, on purpose, forgets her mom’s note, she thinks she’ll escape the vaccination – she can’t. Allie and mom make a plan to calm her nerves but wait – what if Allie turns superhero? “ZAP! ZAP! You’re dead germs!”

So what do you think?  Would You Read It?  YES, MAYBE or NO?

If your answer is YES, please feel free to tell us what you particularly liked and why the pitch piqued your interest.  If your answer is MAYBE or NO, please feel free to tell us what you think could be better in the spirit of helping Elaine improve her pitch.  Helpful examples of possible alternate wordings are welcome.  (However I must ask that comments be constructive and respectful.  I reserve the right not to publish comments that are mean because that is not what this is about.)

Please send YOUR pitches for the coming weeks!  For rules and where to submit, click on this link Would You Read It or on Would You Read it in the dropdown under For Writers in the bar above.  There are openings in May, so you could get your pitch up pretty soon for helpful feedback and a chance to have it read and commented on by editor Erin Molta!

Elaine is looking forward to your thoughts on her pitch!  I am looking forward to seeing the dance videos you all produce to the music clip above in order to while away the quarantine boredom! 😊

Have a wonderful healthy and happy Wednesday everyone!!! 😊

 

Would You Read It Wednesday #357 – Sonny’s Smile (PB) PLUS The November/ December/January Pitch Winners And The Late February/March Pitch Pick

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Hi Everyone!

I hope you’re all doing well – staying healthy and not going too nuts being cooped up at home!

Here’s a little taste of the outdoors for those of you who might need it – blue sky, sunshine, babbling brook, spring peepers. . . and swimming dog which luckily you can’t smell 😊

 

Now then!  Let’s get on to today’s exciting installment of Would You Read It and associated education and fun!

First, I’m happy to announce that the winner of the November/December Pitch Pick is Megan with her PB pitch for Wired To Worry!  And the winner of the January/Early February Pitch Pick is Paul with his PB pitch for All Over The World!  Congratulations to both of you on excellent pitches that you worked hard to revise and improve!  Your pitches have winged through cyber space to editor Erin Molta’s inbox and I’m sure you will receive her comments as soon as she is able!

Congratulations to all the other pitchers as well.  You also did a wonderful job revising your pitches and hopefully feel that you’re in better shape with them thanks to the feedback from our amazingly helpful readers!  Thank you all for sharing with us so we can all learn and improve our pitch skills!

Next, it’s time for the Late February/March Pitch Pick!  Please read over the revised pitches below and vote for your favorite in the poll provided by Sunday April 12 at 9 PM Eastern.

Here are the pitches for your consideration:
(one pitcher opted not to put her pitch in the running)

#1 – Sarah – Hotdogs Don’t Camp (PB 3-8)

Young hotdogs ignore their elder and toss off their buns to try pitching tents, swimming, and roasting dinner. The humans stoke their fire pit near the hungry bears’ lair. Three campsites collide as dinnertime nears for some in-tents adventure.

#2 – Rose – Rabbit’s Lists (PB 4-8)

Rabbit’s whiskers are in a tizzy. She doesn’t have the vegetables needed for her special stew. Oodles of acorns and clumps of clover just won’t do. Determined to please her friends, Rabbit searches and digs until she finally discovers the delight in trying something new

#3 – Paulette – What Would Mozart Do? (PB 5-9)

Parker practiced hard for his piano recital but he’s nervous about performing. When a barking-dog ringtone in the audience scares the notes right out of Parker’s brain, he has to find a way to calm down and keep playing. Time to use a tip from an improviser named Mozart (and his singing starling).

 

#4 – Shae – Skritch, Scratch, Snuffle (PB 3-8)

Waffles, an anxious wombat, has trouble keeping her fears to a manageable size. She hears a noise and imagines a “what-if” monster which grows as her imagination runs wild. She’s certain she’s going to be eaten, until her echidna friend, Chicken, appears at her door and together they find the true source of the noise and overcome the monster by talking about Waffles feelings.

 

 

And now you can have your well-earned reward – Something Chocolate! I thought these Raspberry Cheesecake Truffles would be delicious and also maybe make a nice Easter treat for this weekend because they look festive and pretty!

Raspberry Cheesecake Truffles

 

I think we can all agree that nothing says I’ve got this quarantine thing down! like something chocolate-y and scrumptious 😊  And given that many of us are going for a schedule which looks something like

First Breakfast
Post-First Breakfast Snack #1
Post-First Breakfast Snack #2
Pre-Second Breakfast Snack
Second Breakfast
Post-Second Breakfast Snack
Lunch
Post-Lunch Snacks #s 1-7
etc…

it is important to be well supplied with chocolate! 😊😊😊

Now then, onto today’s pitch which comes to us from Deborah.  Deborah Foster grew up in the heyday of Disney Princess movies. She was born and has lived all her life on a farm in Iowa. Deborah’s love of storytelling began when she was very young and in sixth grade one of her Christmas stories won the Holiday Writing Contest. Her writing continued through high school in the form of angsty poetry. But with the birth of her first daughter, her love of writing took hold in the form of picture books. She is now a mother to two little girls and the author of three self-published picture books. Deborah’s picture books focus on humor and biographies of lesser-known women.

Find her on the web at
deborahclaytonbooks.com

Here is her pitch:

Working Title: Sonny’s Smile

Age/Genre: Picture Book (ages 3-8)

The Pitch: When Sonny Brightwell is invited to The Gleeful Gala to receive the “Biggest Smile on Earth Award”, he finds that the only place in town to stay is at The Prickly Inn; where smiles aren’t allowed. Being around all of the frowning guests causes Sonny’s smile to droop to the floor and now he must figure out how to get it back in time to receive his award.

So what do you think?  Would You Read It?  YES, MAYBE or NO?

If your answer is YES, please feel free to tell us what you particularly liked and why the pitch piqued your interest.  If your answer is MAYBE or NO, please feel free to tell us what you think could be better in the spirit of helping Deborah improve her pitch.  Helpful examples of possible alternate wordings are welcome.  (However I must ask that comments be constructive and respectful.  I reserve the right not to publish comments that are mean because that is not what this is about.)

Please send YOUR pitches for the coming weeks!  For rules and where to submit, click on this link Would You Read It or on Would You Read it in the dropdown under For Writers in the bar above.  There are openings in May, so you could get your pitch up pretty soon for helpful feedback and a chance to have it read and commented on by editor Erin Molta!

Deborah is looking forward to your thoughts on her pitch!  I am looking forward to practicing Zoom because tomorrow I have a Zoom meeting with a large group of preschoolers. . . which I’m a little worried may be like herding cats😊. . . but here’s hoping it will all work out!!!

Have a wonderful Wednesday everyone, and stay well!!! 😊🌷🌸