I entered into Susanna Hill's In Just Spring contest that starts today March 15 and ends March 18th.
Here are the rules taken from Susanna's blog:
The story must be about something that really says "SPRING" to you - something that really makes you feel that spring is here! It can be nature oriented - the robins or geese returning, eggs hatching, flowers blooming, baby animals being born, bears waking up, sunshine or rain, etc. It can be holiday oriented - St. Patrick's Day, Easter, April Fools' Day etc. It can be school oriented - the spring pageant, spring vacation, the spring talent show. It can be activity oriented - picnics, bike riding, baseball - anything at all that makes you think spring.Click here if you would like to read Susanna's entire blog post. This link here will take you to all the contest entries.
The only other requirement is that the last line must be "[Character Name] knew Spring was really here!" or "[Character Name] knew Spring was here at last!" (You can also write in first person if you want - e.g. I knew Spring was really here.... and present tense is fine too.) I've given the rhymers amongst you a choice... but if you can't make either option work with your rhyme scheme you have permission to tweak it slightly as long as the essential meaning stays the same.
Slurp! Plop! Spring is Here!
Mama Bunny hollered, “Keep your shoes clean.”
“I know Ma,” said Miles closing the door.
The sun warmed his white furry neck. The air felt crisp and light. He hopped on each patch of grass that lead to the fence where his brother Toby waited.
When he stepped on day-old snow it sounded funny.
Crunch! Squeak!
He wondered what the wet mud would sound like. He hung his shoes on the fence and found out.
Slurp! Plop!
"When you get out of there," yelled Toby, "I'm going to start counting."
"One! Two! Three!"
“Nah-nah-nah-boo-boo! You can’t catch me!” said Miles.
Toby opened his eyes and Miles was gone.
“Where are you?”
A voice whispered from the mud puddle, “Right here.”
Toby jumped off the fence and fell on Miles.
“Tricked you,” laughed Miles, all muddy.
“Mama’s going to be SO mad.”
Miles giggled and pulled out a water balloon.
“Too cold for that,” said Toby.
But still Miles handed it to him.
“A HOT water balloon,” Toby grinned and said...
"One! Two! Three!"
“Nah-nah-nah-boo-boo! You can’t catch me!” said Miles.
He found a dark cave and hid in it.
Miles felt something harry.
Grunt! Growl!
“I smell something yummy,” sniffed Bear.
“I’m just a little mouse, no bigger than a bite,” fibbed Miles.
“Mmm, you’re as big as a rat,” said Bear.
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| Artwork by Jennifer Young |
“Yes, but much faster,” said Miles.
He didn’t count to three.
He said, “Nah-nah-nah-boo-boo! You can’t catch me!”
Miles dove under the snow but his muddy feet poked out like breadsticks.
“Mmmm…breadsticks,” said Bear digging after him.
Then, overhead a figure appeared.
“TAKE THAT!" said Toby, throwing his balloon.
KERSPLAT!
Miles's muddy fur washed from brown to white.
Bear couldn't see him and dug faster.
Toby and Miles bolted,
Past the mud puddle,
Slurp! Plop!
Past the day-old snow,
Crunch! Squeak!
And back to the fence.
“Mama’s going to be SO mad,” said Toby.
Miles giggled at his muddy feet, then showed Toby his clean shoes.
“What can I say? Spring is really here!”
48 Comments on Susanna Hill's In Just Spring Contest, last added: 4/8/2013
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Oh those are some mischievous kids! Their poor momma! :)
Thanks for reading Teresa. I checked out yours -what beautiful imagery! Unfortunately, I can't comment on yours due to my computer not being updated. :(
Fun story and illustration! Good luck!
I like the adjustments you've made. That Toby has attitude! The adorable illo of Toby reminds me of the Gruffalo story.
What a fun story! I was reminded of "We're going on a bear hunt" and "Peter Rabbit" as I was reading!
Jennifer...what an entertaining story...I was entranced and was excited all the way through to see how it would turn out. You have mastered the 'page turn' in this little tale.:)
Tons of fun, Jen! Isn't so like kids to be literal - turn themselves into a muddy mess but keep the shoes clean as promised :) Love the mischief level :) And a hot-water balloon - there's an idea that deserves exploration :) Thanks for a great entry :)
Thanks Heather! Good luck to you too :)
Oh thanks for your help with it Julie! Glad you liked my illustration attempt. :)
What a sweet compliment Laura! My kids love We're Going on a Bear Hunt.
You're too kind Vivian! Thank you! :)
Oh *blushing* thanks Susanna! Thanks for hosting this awesome contest!!!
Well the shoes stayed clean...that's the important thing.
I love how you used onomatopoeia! I can totally see that muddy mess!!
So much naughtiness. Love the illustration.
Haha - Yes it is :)
Thank you Barbara. I actually just got done with an onomatopoeia food fight over at the Write Routine's 1st Annual FOOD FIGHT contest last week. lol
Oh shucks! Thank you Joanna! :0)
That was so fun and totally kid-centric. Funny bunnies!
Ha you have onomatopoeia on the brain still from the food fight!
Thanks Catherine I'm glad you thought so. :)
I know! I'm hooked now. Thanks Marcie!!!
Love the michevious action and the twist at the end. Nicely done!
Loved the feet sticking out like breadsticks. :lol:
Typical kids! What a fun poem! Wonderful images. Kids would love it!
Fun, happy kids. Love it.
Thank you! :0)
Thank you Patricia. I need to hop over and read yours now :)
Thank you so much :)
How nice of you to say that! Thanks Jill!!
Haha! So delightfully fun, Jennifer. I loved that you had your mc curious about the sound of mud after hearing the squeak and crunch of the snow. And oh the mischief begins. I'll say it again, fun, fun!
Thanks Pam!!! So glad you thought so! You're too sweet :)
Muddy kids bring a smile to my face--as long as they aren't mine!
Talk about living dangerously! :)
Jen, it's obvious that you still had a bit of onomatopoeia flying around your head...adorable story!
Jennifer I loved it! so much fun!
good luck :)
Delightful! Loved your use of onomatopoeia! It made the story an extra fun read!
Haha! Me too. Actually, I never had to wash off a completely muddy kid yet.
Thanks for your visit :)
Oh thanks so much Nata! :0)
Yup! Can't hurt to throw some in right?! lol
So good to hear you liked it! Thanks Penny :)
I'm glad to see you're still writing away! This is a fun story. Good luck!
lol Jennifer, this was adorable!! Great job :)
I love your phrase, "Mama is going to be SO mad!" Cute story, Jen!
Thank you Denise
Hey Beth! Yup, still writing as much as I could. Good luck to you too!
Ha! Thanks Jarm! I heard that phrase myself more than enough growing up. :)