​Hello! Thanks for visiting my blog to read my #SpringFlingKidLit contest entry. This event, hosted by Ciara O'Neal and Kaitlyn Leann Sanchez, challenges writers to write a 150-word (or less!) spring-themed piece inspired by a gif. I made my own gif this year using Procreate. Hope you enjoy it!

By Allison Strick

In the Arizona desert stood
a grumpy old saguaro.
“Cheer up!” said young Rosita.
“Grandpa, spring begins tomorrow!”

He squinted through the sunlight
on his aging, weathered face,
and grumbled, “There’s no springtime
in this hot, forsaken place!”

......(end excerpt).....

It's almost time for the #SpringFlingKidLit contest, hosted by Ciara O'Neal and Kaitlyn Leann Sanchez! The idea is to write a 150-word spring story inspired by a gif. Read all the details here!

It can be hard to find gifs that aren't duds, to be honest. I used Procreate to draw and animate one for my entry, and then got addicted to the process and couldn't stop making more! So I'm posting them here in case anyone needs inspiration! 

If you end up using one for your entry, I'd love to be tagged so I can see what you came up with! You should be able to right-click on these and download them. Enjoy!

It's time for another Valentiny contest hosted by Susanna Leonard Hill! This year's theme was "pride", and as usual, entries should have kid appeal and adhere to the word count limits. (214, in this case.)

An excerpt of my entry is below! Be sure to visit the contest page where you can read all entries in the comment section.

by Allison Strick
213 words

Peacocks lookin’ fancy! (Gasp!)
Peacocks lookin’ fine! (Oh my!)
Tonight’s the night they'll strut their stuff
and score a Valentine! (Aww!)
 
The ballroom is aflutter.
The party’s at its peak.
But Percy watches all the others
chatting cheek to beak. 
​