Christine Alemshah, Children's Author

Menu
  • Home
  • About
  • Publications and Awards
  • For Writers
  • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
  • #GrowYourWriting
Menu

Susanna Hill’s Holiday Writing Contest

Posted on December 22, 2011 by Christine Alemshah

Author Susanna Leonard Hill is having a Holiday writing contest where you could win prizes!
     
Be creative and write a post with your own version (350 words or less) of The Night Before Christmas (it can be about any winter holiday).  Please visit Ms. Hill’s website for all the details HERE.

     
My entry is posted below.  I have been interested in writing a picture book about the endangered Hawaiian Monk Seal for quite some time, but have not done it yet.  So, for my entry today the monk seal takes center stage, as I play around with the idea of what a monk seal might want for Christmas. Enjoy!!



A Monk Seal’s Christmas Wish
by 
Christine Marie Alemshah



Twas the day before Christmas, when on the small isle,
A monk seal landed ashore, on a sand pile.
The hotel staff prepared yellow tape, 
As onlookers all stared, gasped, and gaped.

The monk seal stayed all day and all night.
He was even there at the first Christmas light.
“What could a monk seal want for Christmas?” asked a small girl.
“Some fish, or shave ice, or maybe a pearl?”

She pondered and pondered, but then soon forgot, 
As she went to her room to see want Santa brought.
A stocking full of treats and trimmings,
A teddy bear, and new fins for swimming.

She busied her day with family and good cheer.
And sang her very best, “Rudolph the Reindeer.”
At dinner, she ate til her tummy might burst,
And then was filled with a very great thirst.

She walked on the beach sipping hot cider,
When she noticed the monk seal right there beside her.
The little girl still had no clue.
“Mr. Monk Seal, what can I do for you?”

Finally, at day’s end, something came from the sea.
A big wiggly shape plopped near a palm tree.
Can it be — another monk seal?
The little girl thought she might squeal.

She was happy to see the seal got his wish,
And hoped that the two could share yummy fish.
She snuck away quietly, til she was out of sight,
and whispered, “Merry Christmas Monk Seals! Have a Good-night!”

Share this:

  • Share
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Pinterest
  • Print
  • Email
Category: Picture Book, Writing Journey

11 thoughts on “Susanna Hill’s Holiday Writing Contest”

  1. Penny Klostermann says:
    December 22, 2011 at 7:05 pm

    Very creative! The seal certainly did take center stage.

    Reply
  2. mybabyjohn/Delores says:
    December 22, 2011 at 7:28 pm

    So cute… a girlfriend for the monk seal.

    Reply
  3. bildebok says:
    December 22, 2011 at 8:14 pm

    Very sweet! I’d like to learn more about these seals. I hope you write about them again!

    Reply
  4. thegracefuldoe says:
    December 22, 2011 at 8:19 pm

    Another unique idea! How sweet for the monk seal to get his Christmas wish.

    Reply
  5. Jarm Del Boccio says:
    December 23, 2011 at 12:47 am

    Sounds like a story that could possibly come true!

    Reply
  6. Susanna Leonard Hill says:
    December 23, 2011 at 1:08 am

    Awww! What a sweet story! i love animals too 🙂 Thanks so much for joining in the fun!

    Reply
  7. Susanna Leonard Hill says:
    December 23, 2011 at 1:10 am

    Awww! What a sweet story! i love animals too 🙂 Thanks so much for joining in the contest – glad to meet you!

    Reply
  8. Christine says:
    December 23, 2011 at 1:58 am

    Thanks everyone for your very kind comments. Ever since I saw my first monk seal in person two years ago, they have held a special place in my heart.

    Bildebok- My goal is to definitely write more about them soon!

    Susanna- Thanks for hosting this contest. What a great idea it is!

    Now I’m off to read some of those wonderful entries out there…

    Reply
  9. Miranda "Sibo" Paul says:
    December 23, 2011 at 3:09 am

    I would love to learn more about monk seals! Cute story!

    Reply
  10. Abby Fowers says:
    December 23, 2011 at 4:31 am

    Awww! I love it! A very clever twist to this poem. Turned out so cute! Great job 🙂

    Have a Merry Christmas!

    Reply
  11. Joanna says:
    December 23, 2011 at 4:28 pm

    A topic and poem completely after my heart. I have blogged about this delightful animal in the past. This was a wonderful and sweet story for this lovely animal!

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

About Christine

About Christine

Mother to two spirited tiny dancers, Christine Alemshah, is a lover of books filled with more pictures than words, dark chocolate, and karaoke.

12×12 in 2023 Participant

Writing Contest Fun

Writing Contest Fun

SCBWI

SCBWI

Categories

  • 12×12
  • Author Events
  • Book Reviews
  • Children's Books
  • Children's Literature
  • Haiku Wednesday
  • Homeschool Resources
  • Ideas
  • Inspiration
  • Library Days
  • Picture Book
  • Publications
  • Reading
  • Sunflower Scribe Spotlight
  • Uncategorized
  • Wordless Wednesday
  • Writer's Conferences
  • Writing Contests
  • Writing Journey
  • Young Adult Fiction

We Give Books

We Give Books

We Give Books helps promote literacy by helping to put books in the hands of children who don't have them.

© 2023 Christine Alemshah, Children's Author | Powered by Minimalist Blog WordPress Theme