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#SpringFlingKidLit contest entry: THE CANDY TREE

Thank you for this delightful Spring Fling Kid Lit contest opportunity hosted by  Kaitlyn Leann Sanchez and Ciara O’Neal. There are also some fantastic prize donors! You can shower our hosts and prize donors with love by visiting their blogs, following them on social media, and showing book love.

I’m a second-year Spring Fling Kid Lit participant and the super talented Allison Strick created a custom GIF for my story. Aren’t those dangling delicacies adorable?

I now present my tiny tale introducing Nora, her Baba, and their unique family bond. I had the privilege of interviewing family members for this story and incorporating bits and pieces of actual events and catchphrases!

GIF created by Allison Strick
GIF created by Allison Strick

THE CANDY TREE

By

Christine Alemshah

[WC: 150]

Spit spot.  Sweep!

“After spring cleaning’s finished, the candy tree will bloom,”  Nora said.

But her family cooked instead.

Colorful tomato salad,

bountiful trays of manti,

and a mountain of dirty dishes.

“Baba, how will we keep up?”

Baba smiled. “Perseverance, isn’t it?”

Whatever did he mean?

Spit spot.  Sploosh!

Broken pipe! Water everywhere!

“How can we finish now?”

Again, Baba smiled. “Perseverance, isn’t it?”

Whatever did he mean?

Spit spot. Sopped.             

Furniture all outside.

“Empty rooms make perfect dance floors,” Baba said.

Relatives twirled and clapped, 

sang and ate.

Nobody cleaned at all.

“The candy tree,” Nora whispered at bedtime.

“Perseverance, isn’t it?” Baba whispered back.

Yawn. Whatever did he mean?

A new day.

Spit spot.  Sloppy.

Nora slumped, but her heart tugged. “Keep going!”

Everyone did until…

Spit … Spotless!

Nora’s eyes sparkled. “Perseverance — is never giving up?”

Baba nodded.

 “Hooray! The candy tree’s in bloom!”

  Spit spot! Scrumptious!

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#50 Precious Words | Flash!

Have your children ever run around snapping photos of you and your family giggling up a storm at the pictures they’ve captured? It feels a bit like being followed around by the toddler paparazzi catching you in less than your best moments. My four-year-old calls these snapshots her treasures. Her precious memories are priceless moments frozen in time, viewed through her lens of the world. Her treasures inspired my piece for Vivian Kirkfkield’s #50 Precious Words Writing Contest.

What is 50 Precious Words?

#50preciouswords is one of my favorite writing contests of the year! Last year there were so many entries and comments it about broke the internet with the outpouring of positivity and creativity!

Did I mention there are prizes? Fabulous prizes! The challenge — write a children’s story for ages 12 and younger in 50 words or less with a clear beginning, middle, and end. Please find details about the contest and its fabulous host, Vivian Kirkfield, by clicking this link  [HERE] The contest is open March 4th-6th. Do you have an entry in mind? Head on over and submit those 50 precious words!

Without further ado, here is my entry, followed by a few treasured “photos” from my daughter’s album.

FLASH!

By 

Christine Alemshah

[WC: 48 words]

FLASH — Mommy’s face…

Baba’s fingers…

Sissy’s elbow…

“NO MORE PHOTOS!!”

“But, I love them.”

A closer look reveals…

a secret smile,

interlocked hands,

a warm embrace.

FLASH — “Our family, see?”

A mind wrapped in a riddle,

Sleepy eyes captured in a dream,

When imagination soars, 

photographs sing.

FLASH!

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Calling Picture Book Writers | #PBCritiqueFest is here!

https://www.pbspotlight.com/single-post/pbcritiquefest-2021

Alright, folks, have you got a completed picture book manuscript (or two or seven or more like me?) and would love to get fresh eyes and feedback from talented authors, illustrators, and/or agents on your project? Now is your chance! Click on over to #PBCritiqueFest and fill out the registration form and you are automatically entered! Ok, ok easy peasy right?! But how would you like to earn MORE entries? There’s an opportunity for that as well!! By following the links above, you can also find the additional entries form and discover how to earn 200 extra entries. You have two weeks to get on this, so what’s stopping you! Good Luck!!

Sending out a special thank you to Brian Gehrlein for hosting who’s debut picture book THE BOOK OF RULES releases November 16, 2021 and is available for pre-order now!

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#FallWritingFrenzy Contest Entry: SEA IN THE SKY

Fall- Credit: Vino Li / Unsplash

SEA IN THE SKY

By

Christine Alemshah

[WC: 196]

The stormy sea sky mocked me. Could Daddy and I see the same sinister moon?  Hopefully, he’s tucked safely inside his ship, not in danger of falling overboard as the swirling clouds suggested.

“No costume, Beatrice? It’s almost time for trick-or-treating,” called Mom.

I kicked the screen door. It squeaked. I hoped it might break.

“You don’t want to go?”

“I can’t, Mom. The sea is in the sky tonight.”

“I think it’s lovely with that crescent moon up there.”

“You mean the frowning crescent face staring at me?  It’s creepy — and Daddy…”

“Was supposed to go trick-or-treating with us?,” Mom finished.

I nodded.

“I miss Daddy, too.  It stinks he got deployed at Halloween. Ok, no trick-or-treating. Something else in mind?”

I squeezed my eyes shut as Daddy’s smiling face painted my mind. His tummy rumbled with a quirky chuckle while dolloping dots of frosting on our noses. Frosting — that’s it!

“Can we make graveyard cake with cookie headstones?”

Mom’s chin crumbled, her voice hitched. “Daddy’s favorite. I’d like that.”

The screen door whooshed as we left the stormy sea sky behind us. It could mock me no more.

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#SpringFlingKidLit contest entry: FLORY’S FAIRY WINGS

Thank you for this delightful Spring Fling Kid Lit contest opportunity hosted by Kaitlyn Leann Sanchez and Ciara O’Neal. There are also some amazing prize donors! You can shower our hosts and prize donors with love by visiting their blogs, following on social media, and viewing their amazing books.

I found my gif HERE.

I now present my tiny tale introducing Flory, The Garden Fairy.

FLORY’S FAIRY WINGS

By

Christine Alemshah

WC: 149

At graduation, Flory and her fairy friends debuted wings displaying their true power. 

Willow’s green wings cascaded a flowering arch. 

Phoenix’s fiery wings transformed her into a bird.

Amaya’s silver wings showered everyone in light rain.

Flory touched her back. Nothing. Her smile quivered at her turn. She ran to the ice cream shop instead.

“I’ll never be a real fairy without wings.”

A boy in front of her pulled at empty pockets.

Flory handed him a coin.

“My treat,” she said.

“Thank you,” the boy replied.

Prr-ing! Golden wings sprouted on Flory’s back.

Flory puzzled.

The boy ran to help an old fairy tie shoes he couldn’t reach.

I get it now, thought Flory.

She ran back to graduation.

“Oh, Flory,” said Amaya.

“They’re beautiful,” said Phoenix.

“What’s your power?,” asked Willow.

Flory smiled. “Something measured, yet unseen. I spread kindness forward one fairy at a time.”