My lovely author friend Susanna Leonard Hill holds wonderful children’s story-writing contests on he blog (if you haven’t visited, you must). It’s been a while since I entered one, so why not for Halloween? But first, I have a confession to make, I have never celebrated Halloween – it isn’t such a big deal in Europe. I was all set to celebrate my first this time last year in New York when Hurricane Sandy hit on this date a year ago, and all celebrations were cancelled, so this is the year, fiends!
Write a 100 word Halloween story appropriate for children (title not included in the 100 words), using the words spooky, black cat, and cackle. (fortunately for me black cat can count as 1 word and title not included). So here is my entry:
Blackie
where are you going
this Halloweensie night, a foul wind blowing? Off to join the witchesfor their spooky spree.Every Hallows Eve –a creepy jamboree.
Black Cat, Black Cat
who’s that on the broom
sat twixt the witch and you,
spewing words of doom?
That’s my bud, Ghoul One,
he plans his hex all year.
Ghouls Two, Three & Four
join in to up the fear.
Black Cat, Black Cat
what’s that in the pot,
cackling & bubbling,
oozing smoking hot?
Tis my Haloweensie meal –
tuna bake with spice.
Me and the neighbor kits
we like it with fried lice.
A full list of all entrants to the third annual Halloween Contest can be found here.
In my 20's, with only my guitar and a rucksack, I wandered the continents, immersing myself in the lives of some wonderful people, projects and stories, which changed the way I view my responsibility to others and this earth. Right now I'm a European transplant in the US who writes books for children and young adults. Stories can help us not only navigate our world but can connect us to others, and allow us to inspire and help each other. I believe that equity and empathy should be at the core of our all actions, words, and stories.
I am also a school librarian and I get a kick out of book-matchmaking! And I use the pronouns she/her.
Wonderfully spooky poem, Joanna. The last line made me cackle with laughter! (While shuddering at the thought.)
Ah! I squealed at the end! Particularly love your second stanza 🙂
This is the funnest! Crackles and pops!
I’m cracking up! Fried lice! Very Halloweenish! Fun read, Joanna!!!
Oh, this is excellent, Joanna. I really enjoyed it. A perfect Halloween poem. Well done!
A properly spooky poem, Joanna! The “fried lice” will definitely stick.
Well done, Joanna! I love it! :0)
Looks like my daughter’s black cat Midnight. Loved your rhyme and sense of humor.
Perfect mood for a Halloween poem.
I know of someone who thought it was funny to ask for “fried lice” in a restaurant one evening. The waiter smiled, but got his own back with the dish he brought!
A nice spooky contribution in just the right vein for children!
Haha! Great fun. Love the black cat AND your zebra header!
Wonderful Halloween-y poem, Joanna – especially excellent for someone who has never gotten to celebrate Halloween! I love the that kitties get tuna bake with spice from a bubbling cauldron 🙂 And love the “creepy jamboree”! I’m so glad you were able to find time in your very busy schedule for a little Halloweensie fun!!! 🙂
I think this was lovely. It was fun and rhythmic. Good Job!
Fried lice… ewwwwww! Seriously though, this poem packs the perfect Halloween punch. My kids spent the first several years of their lives in Australia and didn’t celebrate either. Their first Halloween in the US was spent entirely wide-eyed and jaw-dropped!
Definitely creeped me out! Loved the rhythms, too. (But I would not love fried lice!) 🙂
Fun poem! Fried lice…ew! Then again, it could be a delicacy somewhere 🙂
So well done, Joanna! You made me smile. 🙂
Love this story and the rhythms. I especially liked the fried lice (ewwww!).
What a Halloween meal! Yikes.
This is GREAT! I love it! 😀
That is totally spooky and fried lice yuck! Great job, Joanna!
Haha! That’s a lot of cackling in that pot! I like the idea of tuna bake, but I’ll take mine without the fried lice!
Everyone – including cats – has their favorite treat from Halloween!
Mine = Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups.
Oh Joanna! I think this is my favorite one so far. This should be expanded into a picture book. It has such a lovely classic nursery rhyme feel with a Grimm-a-licious wickedness.
Joanna, AWESOME! Loved it. Especially that last line! 🙂 Eerily done job. Bwa ha ha ha!
Love your poem.. 🙂
Fried lice?! That’s brilliant!
So fun, and funny! I love the nod to BROWN BEAR, BROWN BEAR!
Eeeeew! Am I allowed to say that? Great entry Joanna!
I love the idea of Ghouls 1-4 – kind of reminds me of Thing 1 and Thing 2.
Nice story, Joanna! Happy Halloween!
Another excellent poem! There are so many! I think Susanna will have a great problem figuring out which is best.
Thanks for entering the contest my friend. I shared your poem on Facebook. 🙂
Ewwwwww! And tee-hee! Fun poem, Joanna. I like the numbered ghouls!
Great last line, Joanna!
Difficult to imagine that you’re a “first-time” Halloween celebrant! You nailed it! LOVED the fried lice on tuna bake – brought back vivid memories of crispy anchovies in a too-dark Reistafel in Amsterdam during my student wanderings about the continent. Hope Halloween was all you anticipated.
Yuck. . .fried lice. Perfect fare for Halloween! Fun story, Joanna. Thanks for sharing it with us.