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“Spring Fling” Kidlit contest entry

Ciara O’Neal has an annual SpringFling contest where Kidlit writers pair 150-words-or-fewer stories with an animated .gif. In my case, I chose to use a silly poem I had written. Read all about Spring Fling on Ciara’s blog.

Here is my entry for 2021. 🙂

(Band-aid guy gif via Giphy.)

I Think I Need a Band-Aid (111 words)

Remember when I bumped my arm?
I think I need a band-aid.

That summer I stepped on that nail at the farm?
I think I need a band-aid.

My forehead feels quite hot, you see.
I think I need a band-aid.

This paper cut keeps bothering me!
I think I need a band-aid.

My legs are bruised from my scooter crash.
I think I need a band-aid.

My arms are sore from taking out the trash.
I think I need a band-aid.

My brain hurts from spelling ‘weird’ and ‘friend.’
I think I need a band-aid.

And now I bit my tongue at the end,
So…
I thick I neeb a bandhaid.

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New book out by Jessica Young and Rafael López

I was delighted to be selected by the talented Jessica Young for a picture book mentorship this year, through SCBWI MidSouth. Of course, the big reason I was so thrilled was because of Jessica herself!

Well, she’s got a new book out this very week–illustrated by the amazing Rafael López–titled, “I’ll Meet You in Your Dreams” (Little, Brown), and I just can’t wait to get my hands on a copy. I pre-ordered it but it’s taking just a minute to get out to me, thanks to living on the other side of the world right now.

While I’m waiting for Mr. Postman to show, I thought I’d share a link to the fabulous book launch they did (virtually, naturally) in conversation with Julie Danielson of the children’s literature blog, Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast. It was a really fascinating and compelling look into the beautiful stories behind the beautiful story.

You can see their conversation (even if you don’t have a Facebook login) at:

https://www.facebook.com/parnassusbooks1/videos/514397412877961

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When a kangaroo goes bad

Kylie, the criminal kangaroo,
pockets some things she oughtn’t to.

A Vegemite sandwich, a kazoo,
mini bottles of hotel shampoo…

Her paws are quick and she knows kung fu.
Don't leave her alone with your pet cockatoo.

She's a burglar full of derring-do.
She fills her pouch 'til it's busting through

with watches she's pilfered in plain view
and wallets she stole, leaving nary a clue.

Careful – her next victim might be you!
Kylie, the criminal kangaroo.

Copyright 2020 - Elayne Crain
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Dumbrella

The handle’s cracked; the spokes are askew.
The color’s faded; it smells of mildew.

The fabric’s torn; it gets blown inside-out.
The metal’s rusty; the thread's falling out.

The button won't open; nor will it shut.
The whole thing is dirty; the Velcro's kaput.

But before you toss it, remember this one thing:
when it’s raining hard, it's better than nothing!

Copyright 2020 - Elayne Crain
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Shell shock

Annabelle strolled along the beach
until she found a shell.

Its color was a lovely peach;
it was quite large, as well.

She held it right against her head,
to try to hear the sea.

A crab came out, pinched her ear and said:
"Don't you eavesdrop on me!"

Copyright 2020 - Elayne Crain

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Soap opera star

As I was singing in the bath,
shampoo got in my eyes

and I hit some high, high notes
much to my surprise!

Whether my song earns your Bravo!
or if it hurts your ears…

singing that soap opera – well,
it moved me to tears!

Copyright 2020 - Elayne Crain
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The patient bacteria*

When Chinese chicken hit the floor,
we gathered right away.

But germs know the 10-second rule;
we live it every day.

One second turns to two then three…
time slowly ticks on by.

Count four, then five Mississippi -
and still, we all comply.

Six, then seven and eight - a wait
long as the Amazon.

Nine…aww, man! He picked it up!
So long, our sweet Szechuan.

* Author’s note: biologists say food 
gets contaminated the moment it touches 
germs or bacteria. Sad, sad news for 
us clumsy eaters.

Copyright 2020 - Elayne Crain