Tag Archives: Valentine’s Day

Who Loves LOU? A Valentiny Story

Posted on February 13, 2020 | 26 comments

Regular readers know I love contests. What a super way to write to a prompt, stretch writing muscles, and meet other writers.

And among the contests, the Valentiny contest certainly is one of the most beloved. Who doesn’t love a Valentine, especially a tiny one?

As a reminder, in the words of our awesome contest organizer, Susanna Hill:

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 Valentines Day is all about emotion, write a Valentines story appropriate for children (children here defined as ages 12 and under) maximum 214 words in which someone feels curious!  Your someone can feel curious themselves or make someone else feel curious.  The curiosity may be about a person, place, thing, quality, idea, event, or about whether something will happen or something is true or real, or anything else under the sun you can think up!  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 curious (can be the main character but doesn’t have to be) and is 214 words (get it? 2/14 for Valentines 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!

My entry, below, clocking in at 213 words (Get it? I’m posting this on 2.13), is inspired by our beloved rescue dog, Sadie, whose Gotcha Day we celebrate in June. Although most of the story is pure fiction, I did once make one of the items mentioned (for my husband, not one of our pups). Can you guess which one?

Once you’ve read my entry, please enjoy the other entries and support the other writers (we all need a little love) by heading over to Susanna’s blog and checking them out.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

 

Sadie

 

Who Loves LOU?

 

Lou scratched and sniffed. “Something’s up. But what?”

Lou sprinted up Lotus Lane in time to help Cindy cross the street. Woof!!

“Thanks, Lou! I’ve got…um.. something to do after school. Bye!”

Lou wondered, “Is that what’s up?”

She raced to check on Mrs. T’s kittens. But they were asleep, glittery paws shimmering. “Something’s up! But what?” Woof!

She loped up Market Street and barked at Butcher’s door. “Maybe the burger-lers are back.” Woof!

“Nothing for you, Lou,” Butcher said.

Stomach growling, Lou knew, “Something’s definitely up. But what?”

Lou headed back to the Fire House. “My bed! Gone! That’s what’s up! But why?” Woof!

“You won’t be needing that old thing,” Chief said. “Now out! We’ve got important work to do.”

“Now I understand,” Lou howled. “It’s me they don’t want!”

Lou slunk towards the train station, passing shop windows filled with shimmery red hearts. “No hearts for me. And no fur-ever home.”

Tears trickled down Lou’s muzzle. She cowered by the tracks. But then…

she sniffed and scratched. “Something’s up. Now what?”

Lou sped back towards Town Hall. A fluffy dog bed, a heart-shaped meatloaf, and her friends awaited below a glittery banner:

Happy Valentine’s Day & Gotcha Day

We Love You, LOU

 

Woof! That’s what’s up! They LOVE me! Woof!

 

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Another Holiday – a Valentiny Contest Submission

Posted on February 13, 2018 | 24 comments

To help celebrate the season, and snap us out of our mid-winter doldrums, the wonderful and talented Susanna Hill has conceived of, and orchestrates, the best-ever Valentine’s Day treat for kidlit writers and readers: the Valentiny Writing Contest.

With Hopeful Heart! 

The 3rd Annual Valentiny Writing Contest!!!

valentiny-writing-contest-2018

Quoting Susanna:

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 Valentines story appropriate for children (children here defined as ages 12 and under) maximum 214 words in which someone is hopeful!  Your someone can hope for something good or something bad.  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 hopeful (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.)

Check out the many fabulous entries at Susanna’s site. And I hope you enjoy my heartfelt entry, coming in at 213 words (and posted on 2/13!), 

ANOTHER HOLIDAY

“Another holiday? There’s too many holidays in this school,” Aaliyah grumbled.

She remembered the Thanksgiving feast. All of the food disappeared, except Mama’s Baba Ghanoush. She cringed as she recalled the winter concert, and the finger-pointing at Bibi’s abaya.

“What’s wrong?” asked Mama. She read the note Aaliyah held, slowly. Twice.

“It’s cards. For your classmates. You can make them. Here’s paper and your brother’s pens. They’ll be beautiful.”

Mama was right. The Valentines were beautiful, especially the one for Teacher. Aaliyah grinned.

She skipped into school on Valentine’s Day. But then she saw the chocolates on Teacher’s desk and her classmates’ store-bought Valentines. Tears trickled down Aaliyah’s cheeks. The homemade Valentines didn’t look as beautiful now.

She tried to hide the Valentines in her backpack, but Teacher said, “Please drop them in your classmates’ bags.”

“The bags look full,” Aaliyah mumbled.

“There’s space.”

“My tummy hurts,” Aaliyah complained.

“You can visit the nurse’s office, after you hand out the Valentines.”

With trembling hands, Aaliyah held out the last Valentine, for Teacher.

“What a gorgeous Valentine!” Teacher exclaimed. “Did you make it? Will you share your talent, please, and teach us how to draw these swirling letters?”

Aaliyah grinned, wiped her tears and hoped that the next holiday would be like Valentine’s Day.

♥♥♥

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Phyllis’ Valentine’s Day Mystery

Posted on February 14, 2017 | 23 comments

♥ Happy Valentine’s Day ♥

Today is a special day, a special opportunity to spread a little love AND share my entry to Susanna Hill’s Second Annual Pretty-Much World-Famous VALENTINY Contest. Valen-tiny because the stories are not very long and are written for little people 🙂

valentinywriting-contest2017

The Rules? Straight from Susanna…

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 Valentines Day is all about emotion, write a Valentines story appropriate for children (children here defined as ages 12 and under) maximum 214 words in which someone is confused!  

The Other Entries: Read more entries at Susanna’s site to get into the holiday spirit.

Without further ado, my 213-word entry…

Phyllis’ Valentine’s Day Mystery

Phyllis leapt from her cozy cot, her sleepy shadow trailing behind.  Rose-colored hearts laced with pin pricks littered the dirt below. A gooey stream of strawberry cream oozed from a broken chocolate heart above. Crimson balloon bits festooned snow-covered pines outside the den door.

“What creature made this mess? These dreadful deeds must be addressed. But who will solve this mystery? And how?”

“Whoo! Whoo!”

“Who indeed? I know! He’s hidden somewhere in this snow.”

Phyllis searched high and low for Oscar Owl. He’s so wise, she thought. He’s Forest President so he’ll surely solve this problem.

Oscar surveyed the scene and said,

“My dear, you have an enemy, but I believe I have the remedy. Roll out the Armadillos! Buzz the bees! Summon Sword Fish! Then there’s one more thing I wish: A wall, a HUGE WALL. A wall will bring Safety for ALL.”

Soon a tall timber wall was erected. Snug inside, Phyllis now was secure. But those outside? They felt rejected. Dejected, they watched, waiting for their chance to slip inside. At the back of this pack crouched Harry Hedgehog – sniffling, snuffling, quills quivering. In his tiny paws, he clutched a pin-pricked, strawberry cream-stained sign:

============================

PLEASE LET ME IN,

I LOVE YOU, PHYLLIS

♥♥♥ ♥♥♥

WILL YOU BE MY VALENTINE?

============================

 

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The Sleeping Grump: A Valentiny Tale

Posted on February 8, 2016 | 29 comments

When I read the rules for the First Annual Pretty Much World Famous Valentiny Writing Contest hosted by the lovely Susanna Hill (kid-friendly, 214 words max, with a grumpy character), I thought immediately of an old family favorite – The Sleeping Grump: A Cooperative Game (Family Pastimes, 1981). While the Grump in this Valentiny story may or may not be a giant ogre and while the goal may not be to steal his treasure (while leaving some for him in the spirit of true cooperation and sharing), I hope I’ve captured his sleepy, grumpy character and the essence of the game.

Note: some of you may recognize the characters. Margaret tried to arrange the perfect picture for Mama in Perfect Christmouse Pic’, as brothers Mick and Tim thwarted her every move. Can the trio work together on Valentine’s Day to out-manoeuvre the Sleeping Grump?
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The Sleeping Grump: A Valentiny Tale

Outside, snowflakes swirl. Wind roars; Grump snores. Inside, red glitter scatters, red candies crunch underpaw.  Red tempers flare.

“Give it back!”

“That’s mine!”

“Fuddliwinks!”

“One more to make. Then we’ll put on our red shoes! Dance! Party,” Margaret shimmies.

“Party-schmarty,” Mick teases. “You’re just making a Valentine for Wondermouse!”

Mick and Tim prance, grab Valentine, chant, “Margaret has a boyfriend!”

Margaret snatches Valentine, scampers outside. Screech! She freezes. Tiptoes around snow-covered

“Grump,” she whispers, “Asleep!” Grump stirs. Margaret scurries inside.

“No need to fear, Mighty Mouse is here,” Mick cries, swipes crumpled Valentine. “Grump can’t seize me! I’ve got a cloak for invisibility.” Mick twirls outside. Cloak swirls across Grump’s eyes. They open, shut. Mick disappears inside.

“I’m an Alien! This is Major Mouse, dropping through!” Tim flies, nabs Valentine, catapults

Flop! Ker-plop! Nosedives!

“Ha-ha-ha-chew!”

“Eew! Goo! Smarmy Alien, coming through.”

Grump snivels, sobs, pokes goopy nose inside.

“There’s gotta be a better way,” Margaret reasons. “If together, we…and then…until finally…”

Margaret tiptoes towards Grump. Mick carries cloak-covered bundle. Tim catapults with

“Valentine? For me,” Grump asks.

“Cookies,” Mick reveals. “For you,” Margaret smiles, “Please let us pass.”

“Valentine! For me,” Grump grins.

The trio trudge past…into drifts. “Too much snow! No party, no-how,” Margaret sighs.

Grump grins.”Snow-schmo! On my back! Let’s go!”

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