Did you know that October 4 is the feast day of St. Francis of Assisi? As a saint, Francis seems to beloved by many people beyond the Roman Catholic Church. Many churches hold a “blessing of animals” ceremony on his feast day, and his statue frequently decorates gardens. You don’t have to be religious to respect his love of animals and the natural world.
As a child, animals were one of my special interests, so St. Francis was always one of my favorite saints. I loved the story of him “taming” the wolf of Gubbio. I’m glad I got to include Francis and the wolf in A is for Anthony, my booklet about saints and animals.
It’s Fall Writing Frenzy time! Kaitlyn Sanchez and Lydia Lukidis host this kidlit writing contest every year. It’s been a few years since I last participated, but writing this was a lot of fun. I hope you enjoy it!
“Wayfaring Jack” by Teresa Traver
“They’re coming,” Gabe whispered. “Do you hear?”
Withered leaves rustled in the breeze. A crow cawed. Then I heard the distant blast of a hunting horn, followed by hounds baying.
Cold fear pierced my heart. “You’re right. We need to find shelter.”
But where? Abandoned farms lined both sides of the creek, but I knew an unoccupied house offered no protection. Threshold magic only worked where there was light and comfort, warmth and hope.
I squared my shoulders. “The Sawyer place is closest. If we cut across the cornfield, we’ll be there in minutes.”
Edie gasped. “The cornfield where Jack walks?”
“Better Jack than them.” I gestured toward the distant pack.
My younger siblings nodded, and we set off.
We paused at the edge of the cornfield. Deep inside, a light glimmered in the mist, slowly drawing closer.
“Hello?” I called. “Who’s there?”
Freepik via Alexdon24
No answer, until a hand bearing a lantern broke through the mist. It had to be him: Wayfaring Jack.
The horn sounded behind us, much too close. “Caught between the devil and the deep blue sea,” I muttered.
I grasped Gabe and Edie’s hands, drew a deep breath, and followed the lantern into the mist.
Greetings, kidlit fans! I’m experimenting with IngramSpark’s “Share and Sell” program. Buying through these links may or may not save you money, but it means cutting out “middlemen” like Amazon.
This direct sell method only works for the editions that are published with IngramSpark. That includes the paperback ofSprinkles to the Rescue and the hardcover of Spooky and the Gargoyle. Both of these picture books remain available in digital form on Kindle Unlimited.
If you want to buy A is for Anthony directly from me, you’ll find it on ebay.
Curious about what I’m working on? Most of my writing attention is focused on romance novels at the moment, but I do have some kidlit ideas percolating. Hopefully I’ll be able to share more soon!
If you’re part of the picture book world, you may already know that it’s seasonal contest time again! Here’s my entry for Susanna Leonard Hill’s Holiday Writing Contest.
The Snack Before Christmas
‘Twas the night before Christmas, and Santa Claus needs a snack break. Frosted sugar cookies and a table for one, please!
Look who’s chirping at the door—an Arctic Warbler. How about a snack for two with caterpillars and cookies?
Another guest already? Hello, Ground Squirrel! Table for three, please, with grass seeds, caterpillars, and cookies.
How you doin’, Arctic Hare? The four of us will feast on fresh berries, seeds, caterpillars, and cookies. Yum!
Ah, Mr. Fox is right on time! We’ll have a festive snack for five, with birds’ eggs, berries, seeds, caterpillars, and cookies.
So glad you could join us, Captain Caribou. Six is the perfect number for a meal of lichens, eggs, berries, seeds, caterpillars, and cookies.
Come in, come in, Polar Bear! Just for you, we’ll add a seventh chair. Blubbery seals, lichens, eggs, berries, seeds, caterpillars, and cookies are on the menu.
Mr. Walrus was running late, but our party’s getting lively, ‘cause now we have eight! Please enjoy clams, seals, lichens, eggs, berries, seeds, caterpillars, and cookies.
Oh boy, Beluga, things are getting crowded. But we’ll find room for all nine guests. We’re dining on cod, clams, seals, lichens, eggs, berries, seeds, caterpillars, and cookies.
Another guest? We’ll have a party of ten. Hello, Mr. . . . Abominable Snowman?! Oh no, he looks hungry! We gotta get out of here! Run!
It’s almost Halloween, and in the kidlit world, that means it’s time for Susanna Leonard Hill’s annual kidlit writing contest, Halloweensie. Rules here!
This year’s prompt words were perfect, because I’ve got werewolves on the brain. My current adult work-in-progress features a werewolf. But Luna, the wolf you’ll meet today, is much younger!
“The Silver Chain”
“Full moon tonight! Don’t forget your bracelet!”
“Aw, Mom! That’s just superstition.” But Luna snapped the silver chain around her wrist before grabbing her bucket.
Luna and Sadie trick-or-treated along both sides of the street until they reached the old Foley house.
“Dare ya to ring the doorbell,” Sadie whispered.
Luna shook her head.
“Frightened?”
“Nuh uh!” Luna marched up to the door, dragging Sadie along.
Ding dong! The door creaked open— and Mr. Foley bared his fangs. Vampire?!
