Okay, I am doing this. Yay! Here is my picture book story for Susanna Hill's First Annual Valentiny Writing Contest. I want to thank Susanna for everything she does for writers and I would like to express my thanks to everyone participating and giving their time/prizes to this event. I had fun writing this and can't wait to read the other entries. Good luck everyone!
Gracie’s Valentine
Surprise (214 words)
By Laurie Treacy
“Don’t be grumpy. It was just a game,” Mom said.
Gracie didn’t answer.
She didn’t like losing.
“It’s Valentine’s Day. Smile.
Spread love around, sweetie.”
Gracie scowled.
Meanwhile, a bunch of
eyes watched as she climbed aboard the school bus.
“Gracie’s lost her
smile,” Belinda Bat chirped.
“It’s around here,”
Chris Caterpillar clicked. “Somewhere.”
Terry Toad croaked, “I
have an idea!”
“Group meeting!” Mikey Macaw
squawked.
Gracie’s stuffed
animals jumped off her blanket,
bookshelves,
desk,
dresser,
and window sills.
They huddled together
in the middle of the room.
That evening, after Mom kissed
her good night, Gracie peered around.
Something was missing.
What?
What happened to Mikey?
Belinda wasn’t beside
her.
What about Terry?
Chris and….
Where were her stuffed animals?
Gracie leapt from her
bed.
She peeked behind
pillows,
sifted through drawers,
rummaged around her closet.
Where could they be?
Gracie raced to open her
playroom door.
Could they be in there?
She flicked the light on.
“SURPRISE!”
All of Gracie’s
forty-two stuffed animals
stood in a semi-circle
holding up cards they
had made.
Cards of different
shapes,
sizes, and colors,
decorated with crayons,
paint, glued-on pasta
and more.
Every card had a
picture of her.
“Happy Valentine’s Day,
Gracie! We love you!”
Gracie smiled. Who cares
about winning? She had love.
Laurie,
ReplyDeleteI love the language and phrases in your story. My favorite is
Is your description of Gracie looking for the animals and describing the cards. I like the ending too.
ReplyDeleteSusan, thank you for your kind words. I based Gracie off of my two daughters when they were little. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat kid appeal here. Nice work!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Gabi!
ReplyDeleteLove the stuffed animals cheering Gracie up. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jen! There's something special about stuffed animals:)
DeleteSo believable for losing to make a child grumpy! And so nice that her stuffed animals loved her enough to do something special to cheer her up! Thanks so much for this sweet story, Laurie, and for joining in the Valentiny fun!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Susanna! You are such an inspiration to us! I always enjoy reading your books and your blog. :)
DeleteIt is a sweet story. Any child would instantly love it.
ReplyDelete