One of my favorite kidlit community contests...

One of the best things about the kidlit community is that it is inhabited by people who care about their craft, their audience, and each other. There’s a great culture among creators! I’m excited to post my entry for #50preciouswords, a contest run by one of the quintessential purveyors of that culture, Vivian Kirkfield, with a little help from her friends, Maria Marshall, Carmen Castillo Gilbert, Amber Bouchard, Pamela Courtney, Leah Moser, Shirin Shamsi, and Diane Tulloch.

“Super Scoop Champ”

At the buzzer, Sam scooped,

One flavor…then nine.

Piled high as the sky,

Simply divine.

Scoops started to droop,

but Sam felt just fine.

Put the tenth one on top:

his crowning design.

Scoops swiveled and swayed

Sam staggered, but stayed,

His scoops proudly displayed

The crowd yelled hooray!

Good luck to all my fellow entrants! ! I’m excited to see all of your 50-word stories!