Friday, December 7, 2018

ROXY SAVES CHRISTMAS by Lynne Marie - My Holiday Hero Story for Susanna Hill's Blog


8th Annual Holiday Contest for Children’s Writers
The judging criteria for the contest is as follows:  
  • 1. Kid-appeal! – These stories are intended for a young audience (ages 12 and under), so we’re looking for stories that children will enjoy and relate to.
  • 2.  Holiday Heroism! – the rules state a Holiday Hero story, so it must be crystal clear that the story is about Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or whatever you celebrate, and it must contain a hero and act of heroism in some form! 🙂
  • 3. Quality of story – entries must tell a story, including a main character of some kind and a true story arc even if it’s tiny 🙂  Entries must not be merely descriptions or mood pieces.
  • 4. Quality of Writing: check your spelling, grammar, punctuation etc.  If you’re going to rhyme, give us your best 🙂  Overall writing quality and use of language are also important.
  • 5. Originality and creativity – because that is often what sets one story above another.
  • No Longer than 250 Words.  
ROXY SAVES CHRISTMAS
by Lynne Marie
Word Count 249
“Look! This year, there are more children on my list than ever.” Santa’s brow furrowed.
“Pass me another piece of cranberry walnut pie, please.”

 “Are you sure?” asked Mrs. Claus.
 “Why not?” replied Santa. “I’ll need energy.”

 Pitter patter. Santa landed on the rooftop of his first stop.
 He’d brought a perfect present for little Roxy--the best bouncer in the neighborhood. He popped it into his sack and dropped it down the chimney. He tried to follow.
 “Ho, no!” said Santa. “I’m stuck.”

 Thump!  
 Roxy slipped out of bed.
 Wiggle. Wrestle. Wiggle.  
 She peeked up the chimney. “Oh, no! Santa’s stuck.”
 “Too much pie,” Santa admitted. “And I need to visit all the other children on my list.”
 Roxy thought and thought and thought. “I can help. Santa, did you bring the trampoline I placed on my Christmas list?”
“I sure did,” Santa admitted.
“I know it’s not Christmas morning yet,” said Roxy, “but I need to open it now.”  She sifted through the sack.  “Just a few minutes while I set this up under you.”
She bounced
and bounced
and bounced.
 Finally she sprang up high enough to grab Santa’s boots.  She pulled with all her might.
Santa wedged free.
 They tumbled onto to the trampoline and out of the chimney.
 “You saved Christmas,” said Santa. “But your trampoline is ruined.”
 “That’s OK,” said Roxy. “I got to meet Santa! No one will believe this story. Can we take a selfie?”

 “Ho Ho Ho,” laughed Santa. “Smile!”
*.*.*.*

PLEASE follow this blog so you don't miss any tidbit of information and please feel free to leave any comment or question you may have. I will do my best to answer all! 

# # # # #

Lynne Marie is the author of Hedgehog Goes to Kindergarten - illustrated by Anne Kennedy (Scholastic, 2011), Hedgehog's 100th Day of School – illustrated by Lorna Hussey (Scholastic, January 2017), The Star of the Christmas Play -- illustrated by Lorna Hussey (Beaming Books, 2018), Moldilocks and the 3 Scares -- illustrated by David Rodriguez Lorenzo (Sterling, pending) and Let's Eat! Mealtimes Around the World -- illustrated by Parwinder Singh (Beaming Books, 2019) and more, forthcoming. She is an established Children's Writing Mentor, Critiquer and Editor (www.thepicturebookmechanic.com coming soon). Please feel free to e-mail her for current rates at LiterallyLynneMarie@Gmail.com. 

17 comments:

  1. yay for Roxie... what a clever way to save the day.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This comment has been removed by the author.

      Delete
    2. Awww, thanks, Sue! I knew that I wanted Roxy to save the day by sacrificing her own toy, but I really had to rack my brain over a number of them to get one that served the right purpose, but would also be ruined. Glad you liked it!

      Delete
  2. I like that Roxy was willing to sacrifice the thing she wanted most for the sake of Christmas. Cute story, Lynne Marie!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so very much for your sweet comment, @Candice Conner! I appreciate your stopping by My Word Playground!

      Delete
  3. Well who could resist another slice of cranberry walnut pie? Lucky for Santa, Roxy saved Christmas! Enjoyed this funny little story, Lynne! Happy Holidays!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thanks for stopping by @Desejrobinson! I appreciate your sweet thoughts and wish you Happy Holidays, as well!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Timely story and quick thinking on Roxy's part. Enjoyed this story, Lynne Marie!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Awww, thanks, Traci! So happy to see you over here at My Word Playground. Good luck in the contest!

      Delete
  6. Santa selfie's are the best. Fun story. Good luck!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Nice to meet you, @Gregory E. Bray. Thanks for stopping by My Word Playground.

      Delete
  7. What?! She got a selfie with Santa? #bestchristmasgiftever

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. So glad you stopped by, dear @Lauri Meyers! Always happy to see you here. Love your enthusiastic comments :)

      Delete
  8. Very clever and a Santa selfie! Nice job!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you so much, @Nancy Riley! Happy to see you here at My Word Playground!

      Delete
  9. Oh my goodness, Lynne! You made me laugh :) Roxy is quite the spunky little character with her bouncing. Good thing she asked for a trampoline and was a quick thinker! Love the selfie with Santa at the end so she'll have proof! Thanks for joining in the Holiday fun!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for visiting @Susanna Leonard Hill! Such a fan of your work and your efforts to pay it forward to the KidLit Community! Thanks for all you do!

      Delete