Monday, March 13, 2017




And We Have a Winner!


Picture Book author and blogger, Cynthia Mackey submitted the winning entry, "Friendship Soup" with a delightful twist on "playing with your food"!  Congratulations Cindy? You can check out her wining entry on her blog at "Friendship Soup" on Simply Cindy.


I also want to thank all of the other wonderful authors and poets who shared their work. It was great fun to read thier entires and even more fun to see how they stopped back in at Wordy Wanderings to support their fellow writers. Bravo one and all!

Stop back by, there will be another Creative Calisthenic coming soon!


Feeling Creative?

 Reminiscing About Your Favorite Candy?





Who is ready for some creativity calisthenics? Inspired by Kenvin Henkes genius book about the life of a marshmallow chick as a friend, can you share a narrative poem or short short about a food who becomes a child's friend? (100 words or less folks) 

And because a picture is worth a thousand jelly beans, you can also share your story as an illustration. 

Can you do it?! Yes, you can! I'd even be willing to send the winner a prize in the food they pick (no caviar, please). 

You can post the story to your blog or include the whole story in a comment on this post. The winner will be announced here and on my Facebook community, 
Sylvanocity





Another inspirtation of this contest is the wonderful work of my friend Vivian Kirkfield who runs the #50 Precious Words Writing Contest and the fantastic blog, Picture Books Help Kids Soar. Thank you for the inspiration, Vivian. 

Swim with the Swedish Fish. Hop with chocolate bunnies. Picnic with gummy bears. Let's get creative with candy, folks!  Happy Writing!


This contest is open until 3/31/17.

69 comments:

  1. My friend Julie Abery has kindly joined in on the fun, but had some difficulty posting her delightful poem. I'm going to give it a go:
    littleredstoryshed.wordpress.com

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    Replies
    1. Thisi s a magical poem full of nostalgia, humor and love. Thank you, Julie. I'm not sure why it won't allow you to post the full url.
      https://littleredstoryshed.wordpress.com/

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    2. The link posted above for Julie's entry isn't live for me...hope this one works better: https://littleredstoryshed.wordpress.com/

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    3. Jelly Baby Jar - complete with illustration. Who doesn't like jelly babies and a bit of nostalgia?

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  2. I don't know if I can resist this, Alexandria...will put on my thinking cap and share this around.

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    Replies
    1. Vivian. I posted mine on your page and hope that is okay. For some reason I can't post on this page.

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  3. Ok, posting here
    Strength of a Smile
    " I don’t know which to choose!"
    Cherry fruit slice said, "We are all delicious, each in our own way."
    "All of you smile."
    "Indeed," he answered
    Jenna plucked one from among the cherry, lemon, lime, orange, and grape smiling shapes
    on the plate.
    "Mmmmmm, lemon!" Jenna began to smile.

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  4. I just couldn't help myself, Alexandria. Here is the link to my post: https://viviankirkfield.com/2017/03/22/a-writing-contest-from-alexandria-lafaye/

    And here is my story.

    HATTIE AND PATTY

    There once was a young girl named Hattie
    Her friend was a Peppermint Pattie
    Who lived in her pocket
    She wore Hattie’s locket
    After ten years, she looked pretty ratty.


    One day Hattie wrestled a gator
    Soon it looked like the gator might ate ‘er
    Jumping out of the pocket
    Pattie ripped off the locket
    Dragged the reptile to the equator.

    In the tropics, Pattie has a new home.
    It’s an ice bucket made out of chrome
    Hattie fills it with ice
    Pattie thinks it is nice
    They are friends wherever they roam

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    Replies
    1. Hattie is one busy gal, Vivian! It's great to have someone like Pattie coming along for the ride. Thank you for sharing your story!

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    2. Thanks, Alexandria...it ws fun to write...I love challenges where I can't use too many words...I tend to get more playful. ;)

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    3. Giving yourself restrictions can often be freeing in other ways.

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    4. Vivian, Such a fun story! I'm glad Pattie didn't melt in the tropics! (of course if she did then she'd actually be a Pattie-melt!) ;)

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    5. Peppermint Pattie is a great name for a character, Vivian!

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  5. I couldn't resist. Posting here.

    ODE TO JIGGLY WIGGLY DELICIOUSNESS

    Jello comes in every color your mind can imagine,
    with scrumptious smells to match the color and taste,
    and favorite flavors like lemon and lime, and grape and cherry,
    and the cutest jiggle you ever did see,
    until you slurp it up for a smooth wiggle down your throat.
    Oh, jello, why do you tempt me to make you disappear when I love you so?

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    Replies
    1. Jello! What a fabulous idea to write about that jiggling colorful treat...love your ode, Sherry!

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    2. Who doesn't like jello? Such a fun story, Sherry!

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  6. Jell-o--such a delightful topic!! Love the playfulness here, Sherry! Thank you for joining the fun!

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  7. Sophie's Squash also fits into the "food that becomes a friend" category. I'll have to do some brainstorming to see if I can participate in this one. And I also ought to check out the Kevin Henkes book!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Kara. I'll check out Sophie's Squash! I hope you do particpate!

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  8. The Chocolate Bunny
    by Sydney O’Neill


    “Stop! You’re not supposed to hop,” Kevin said.

    The chocolate bunny leapt out of the Easter basket, onto the windowsill, and into the garden.

    “You’re not real,” Kevin called.

    The bunny’s eyes twinkled. It flicked its long ears and wiggled its pink nose at Kevin.

    Kevin chased it through fragrant flowers, up the hay tower, and onto the roof of the chicken coop. The bunny jumped off—and stopped hopping.

    “Your foot is broken,” Kevin said.

    Kevin warmed the yummy chocolate foot in his mouth. Then he held it on the leg.

    “You’re okay now. This time, you chase me.”

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    Replies
    1. Wonderful chocolatey adventure! Thank you.

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    2. Thank you for the fun challenge!

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    3. So much fun, Sydney! I'm a fan of chocolate...so your bunny had better watch out. Well done!

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    4. Thought for a second Kevin was going to eat that chocolate foot. Great twist of an ending!

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    5. I love that touch of rhyme in Kevin's first line.

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  9. I haven't been so inspired to write in such a long time. Writing contests are so fun and gets the creativity flowing. Thank you for the prompt too. I'm posting to my website, but I will post it here too. Here's mine coming in at 100 on the nose.

    Hank from the Tank – Chris Shumate

    In a small tank at the grocery store swam dozens of lobsters.

    “Grandma,” I asked. “Can we get one?”

    “Of course,” she said. “It’ll taste delicious with garlic rolls and these veggies.”

    “I don’t want to eat it, Grandma.”

    She looked at me funny. “What do you plan to do with it?”

    “Keep it for a pet,” I said.

    “No, dear. We get food here, not pets.”

    “Please?” I pleaded.

    Later that night we ate a yummy supper.

    I filled my belly with garlic rolls, veggies, and trout.

    Later, I sat in my room talking to my new friend Hank.

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    Replies
    1. Love the twist, Chris! I'm so thrilled this contest inspired you!

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    2. MILKY WAY & ME by Marcia Nass (63 words)

      Milky Way
      Take me to your home
      Light years away
      The two of us alone

      Milky Way
      Swirls of darkness rise
      Bands of malted milk
      Bright stars in every size

      Milky Way
      The galaxy’s your name
      Galileo saw you first
      Mars Candy gave you fame

      Milky Way
      I loved you at first sight
      But, look. That alien…
      Wants to take a bite.

      YIKES!!!

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    3. Marcia,
      Thank you so much for participating. I love the alien twist at the end! So sorry it was tough to particpate.

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    4. This is a reply to Chris...love your lobster story...a lobster would make a hilarious pet...it reminds me of a new book that just just just came out, LUCY LOVES SHERMAN...and yes, Lucy is the girl who lovews Sherman and doesn't want the restaurant chef to cook him. :)

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    5. Oooh, I wanted to take a bite too, Marcia. I love Milky Ways! Nice job!

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    6. Thanks, Vivian, for the kind words. I'm going to check out the Lucy Love Sherman book you mentioned. It sounds like something I would enjoy.

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    7. Here's a reply to Chris Shumate: I'm glad there was a happy ending. For a minute there I thought lobster was on the menu.

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  10. Here is an entry from Marcia Nass. She said she tried to post it here on your blog, Alexandria, but it wouldn't work.

    MILKY WAY & ME by Marcia Nass (63 words)

    Milky Way
    Take me to your home
    Light years away
    The two of us alone

    Milky Way
    Swirls of darkness rise
    Bands of malted milk
    Bright stars in every size

    Milky Way
    The galaxy’s your name
    Galileo saw you first
    Mars Candy gave you fame

    Milky Way
    I loved you at first sight
    But, look. That alien…
    Wants to take a bite.

    YIKES!!!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Marcia,
      Thank you so much for participating. I love the alien twist at the end! So sorry it was tough to particpate.

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    2. An out-of-space poem about food. That's different, Marcia!

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  11. This is an entry from Kathy Elstad...I'm not sure if she tried to post it here, Alexandria...or just posted it on my blog.

    Am I Dreaming? by Kathy Elstad

    So sad. Sophie laid across her bed crying. Her BFF, Maggie, just moved far away and Sophie was feeling so very lonely. There were only 2 things Sophie loved — Maggie and pizza!
    As day turned into night, Sophie fell asleep until… The doorbell rang! Running to the door, Sophie thought maybe it’s Maggie! Sophie opened the door. To her surpise, it wasn’t Maggie. It ws a slice of pepperoni pizza — a slice of pepperoni pizza with arms, legs, and a great, big smile. The slice smiled really big and said, “Hi! Maggie sent me! I’m you new BFF!”

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    Replies
    1. Kathy,
      You certainly choosed a food kids adore! Thank you for sending in your fun story!

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    2. Pizza is a favorite of mine. I think it could be my BFF!

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    3. Ha, ha, ha! Pizza that comes to life - I wonder if Sophie ate her new BFF.

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  12. Potato Pete by Judy Sobanski

    Potato Pete, my best bud
    A roly poly uncooked spud
    Thumbtacks for eyes,
    paper clip ears.
    He takes away
    all of my fears.
    I carry Pete
    where ever I go.
    We even went
    to New Mexico.
    He’s someone to talk to
    when I’m feeling lonely.
    Unfortunately, I am the only
    one who can talk, but -
    Pete listens intently.
    When I am sad
    he ever so gently,
    gives me a smile
    made of pearl-headed pins.
    Who could resist
    such a genuine grin?
    Don’t want a cucumber
    or a tomato.
    I only want
    my sweet Pete potato!

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    Replies
    1. So funny...I love this, Judy! So clever and sweet as Pete listens intently. ;) We could all use a Pete sometimes. ;)

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    2. Judy,
      Love the endearing qualities of the friendship and the inventive and playful descriptions. Well done!

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    3. Cute story, Judy! As I read your story I thought it'd take it to the next level if the potato was a sweet potato. Regardless, you did well. I enjoyed reading your story.

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  13. Grace's Waffle (84 words)

    “Time for breakfast, darling! Waffle day!” Mom called to Grace.
    Grace barreled to the kitchen, horror spread across her face.
    A waffle in the toaster. Grace jumped up, quick to defend
    Her crispy, golden, dimple-covered, Waffle-icious friend.
    “I can’t eat HIM, Mom, he’s my pal!” She conjured up a smile.
    “Don’t cover him in syrup! Can’t I play with him a while?
    How ‘bout I take him swimming? Look! He likes it in the sink!”
    But Waffle waffled, sinking. “He’s done swimming…um… I think.”

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    Replies
    1. Too funny, Jennifer...'waffle waffled'...that is perfect! And I love 'her crispy, golden, dimple-covered, Waffle-icious friend'!
      Well done!

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    2. Oh dear, poor Waffle! Love the inventive play with language and it's so true to how kids can create a connection with things like this. Thank you, Jennifer!

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    3. Thank you both for sharing this fun exercise (Vivian, you're so in the know about fun ones like this)! Thanks for your sweet comments. :)

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    4. Waffle doesn't handle water too well.But at least he was a friend for a little while. Fun story!

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    5. Haha, thank you! I've started developing this one into a full-length picture book!

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    6. I used to work at Waffle House in high school and college. I could see something like this happening with the myriad of kids who'd order waffles and play with them. You took me back 16 years to reminisce on my times at the Waffle House. I sure learned a lot about life there.

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  14. I'm staying here in the hospital with my mom with a lot of time on my hands. I was surfing the web today for an editor and came across this challenge. I needed a little break or something different. Thanks! I've never put anything I've written on anything like this, so here it goes...

    SWEET POTATO PIE
    Sweet Potato, Sweet Potato, Sweet Potato Pie.
    Sweet Potato, Sweet Potato, such a nice sweet guy.
    Sweet Potato, Sweet Potato, all eyes are on you.
    Sweet Potato, Sweet Potato, teach me what to do.

    Trying to be nice, every single day.
    Trying to be kind, in what you do and say.
    Trying to be true, you will make some friends.
    Trying to be sweet, is how it all begins.

    Start with me, friends we’ll be, take a chance and sew.
    Start with me, then you’ll see, together we will grow.

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  15. Hello
    All the best to you and your mom. Thank you for sharing this rhythmic and poetic poem with such an inspirational theme.

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  16. Here's my entry: http://nungululmt2.blogspot.com.au/2017/03/wordy-wanderings-feeling.html

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    Replies
    1. Great delicous fun, Lynette! Thank you.

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    2. Wonderful short picture book story you have here. I've never heard of freckles as a food. If you get a chance I'd love to see an actual freckle baked. They do sound yummy.

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    3. Hi Chris, You can see images of freckles by typing 'freckles' into a search engine, then selecting 'images'. Freckles aren't baked or the chocolate would melt. Add the word 'Australian' before the word 'Freckles,' to refine images.

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  17. A few days ago the idea crossed my mind to write a story with a camel character. Take that combined with this contest, and you get...Sylvie's Chocolate Camel! https://karanewhouse.com/2017/03/30/sylvies-chocolate-camel/

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  18. A few days ago the idea crossed my mind to write a story with a camel character. Combine that with this contest and you get...

    SYLVIE'S CHOCOLATE CAMEL

    Sandra’s chocolate camel had one hump.

    Chomp!

    Then it had none.

    Jaden’s chocolate camel had two humps.

    Chomp! Chomp!

    Then it had none.

    Sylvie’s chocolate camel had three humps.

    She scooped him up.

    “You belong in a desert,” said Sylvie. “Not dessert.”

    So she carried her camel outside, and they played in the sandbox all afternoon.

    https://karanewhouse.com/2017/03/30/sylvies-chocolate-camel/

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  19. Love the counting story with a twist! This was great fun, Karen, Thank you.

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  20. Hi A.LaFaye! Do your words, "Open until 3/31/17" mean the contest ended at midnight, 3/30/17? Thank you! I enjoyed reading all the entries!

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    1. Jill,

      Sorry for the delay in replying. You can have until midnight to night to turn it in!

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  21. Here's my entry. What a fun challenge! https://cindyscreativecorner.wordpress.com/2017/03/31/friendship-soup/

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    Replies
    1. I LOVED the to-ma-toes joke! A great story. Thank you for sharing.

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    2. Sophie gave a tactical response to her Mom by saying 'mostly' and not eating the fish. Well done, Cindy!

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  22. Congrats to Cindy, and thanks for the exercise, Alexandria. Looking forward to the next round of creativity calisthenics :)

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