Little Thoughts Press Issue Fourteen: Traditions and Rituals featuring the poem "Peppers in His Pockets" by Diane Gonzales Bertrand. A quick glance at any book written by Diane Gonzales Bertrand shows a writer who grabs inspiration from her family life in San Antonio, Texas. She captured her experiences in her short story collection Upside Down and Backwards, in her novel The Ruiz Street Kids, and in her poetry book, The Taco Magician/El Mago de los Tacos. She is the auth

Little Thoughts Press Issue Fourteen: Traditions and Rituals featuring the poem "Raise the Rainbow Flag" by Mary E. Cronin Mary E. Cronin lives on Cape Cod in Massachusetts. Her books include Trucks, Boots, and Bells, a poetry collection set in a busy city firehouse, and Like a Mother Bear, a picture book biography of PFLAG founder Jeanne Manford. Mary’s poems have appeared in numerous children’s anthologies and in The New York Times. www.maryecronin.com. Little Thoughts Pre

Family Breakfast a half piece or whole piece of fat fluffy waffle drenched in golden syrup a slither of crispy bacon a couple of fat pork sausages a parent and grandparent laughing uncontrollably with the server My tummy rumbling with anticipation I wonder how long until breakfast will be here William Holmes is 8 years old and is a year 4 student at Te Paritō Kōwhai Russley School in Ōtautahi Christchurch. So many traditions and celebrations involve enjoying a meal with peopl

Easter At Easter we go to the beach My family and I Mum tells me of when she did the cold plunge in Antarctica I wonder if the sea in New Brighton is as cold as Antarctica Jessica Pollard is 10 years old and is a student at Te Paritō Kōwhai Russley School in Ōtautahi Christchurch. Visiting the beach sounds like such a fun and unique Easter tradition! Why does your family choose to celebrate the holiday this way? What kinds of things do you do at the beach together? How cold i

The Warmth of the Diya The vibrant diya It’s light flickers from the winds trying to extinguish it My hands shields it from the harsh winds coming for it It’s light shines in the cold darkness of the night Signifying the warmth of my loved ones Helping me through the darkness of my life I set it down outside my doorstep Luring good luck and love towards my house It’s light shines brighter now I think it’s gained strength And can now handle the cruel winds tormenting it Holi F

on the last day of school on the last day of school me, my brother and my dad go out to the scrumptious avonhead tavern I smell lovely fish’n’chips floating to my mouth I feel drool s l i d i n g down my chin I see people gobbling delicious doughnuts I hear people yapping as

there’s always something to do at a hockey game a crowd full of loud cheering a ball getting hit hard into a goal a team of speeding players a coach who encourages us to play like professionals on the field team mates running like 100 gazelles with me Kieran Beckingham is 8 years old and in year 4 at Te Paritō Kōwhai Russley School in Ōtautahi Christchurch. Your poem wonderfully captures the energy and collaboration of a team sport. Why did you choose this topic as the focus

Reviewed by Jennifer Thomas Some people collect shells, comic books, or keychains. Shaun Jex collects tales about American creatures that most of us have never seen, “the type that people tell stories about while sitting around a campfire, or just before bedtime,” as he says at the start of his new poetry collection, A Catalog of Curious Creatures. He has written poems about 81 of these creatures, from the agropelter to the whirling whimpus. They lurk in just about every corn

Little Thoughts Press Issue Thirteen: Head, Shoulders, Spleen and Nose with a sneak peek of the story "Benny's Bellybutton" by Rachel Burrows. Rachel Burrows' writing for children can be found in Northern Gravy, The Toy, Tyger Tyger, Little Thoughts Press and The Dirigible Balloon. She is an Undiscovered Voices 2026 Winner and was also shortlisted for the Cheshire Novel Kids Prize 2025 and the Write Mentor Picture Book Writing Competition 2023. Her work was recently selected

Little Thoughts Press Issue Thirteen: Head, Shoulders, Spleen and Nose with a sneak peek of the poem "Esophagus" by Janice Scully. Janice Scully is a physician and loves to write for young people. Her stories have appeared in Highlights Magazine. Her poetry has appeared in several anthologies including Thanku: Poems of Gratitude (Millbrook 2019) and If I Could Choose a Best Day (Candlewick 2025) and online, including, The Dirigible Balloon. Janice Lives in Upstate New York. L

Little Thoughts Press Issue Twelve: Better Together with a sneak peek of the story "The Perfect Collection" by Mary Munson. Mary Munson is a children’s author and early childhood special education teacher who believes the best stories make children laugh while helping them grow. Inspired by many years working with young children, she writes stories that nurture kindness, resilience, and joy while inviting readers to feel a sense of wonder about the world around them. Her boo

Little Thoughts Press Issue Twelve: Better Together with a sneak peek of the story "Newsgirl" by Lauren N. Simmons Lauren N. Simmons is a writer who lives in the Kansas City area with her husband and daughter. Her work has appeared in various publications, including Cadet Quest , Deaf Devo , Focus on the Family (as a Hacks & Facts contributor), Keys for Kids/ Unlocked , Kosmeo , Pure in Heart Stories , and The Old Schoolhouse . Little Thoughts Press: Your story “Newsgirl” is

Little Thoughts Press Issue Twelve: Better Together with a sneak peek of the poem Eli's House by Amanda McKenzie Amanda McKenzie is a children’s writer and poet, mother of two and library fanatic. Her poetry has been published in The School Magazine, Little Thoughts Press and The Dirigible Balloon . Her poem ‘Peacock Mantis Shrimp’ was joint winner of The Poets XYZ 'Big Things, Little Things' Poetry for Children competition in 2025. You can find her playing with words and

Little Thoughts Press Issue Twelve: Better Together with a sneak peek of the poem "School Library Donation Day" by David McMullin. David McMullin is a picture book author, illustrator, and children’s poet. His books include Free to be Fabulous (HarperCollins), Rock ‘n’ Roll Baby (Penguin/ Random House—March 3, 2025), and a soon-to-be-announced early reader series. His poems can be found in many magazines and anthologies. Honors include an SCBWI Ann Whitford Paul Award, an Ast

Thank you to everyone who shared the love in our Silly Love Sonnets kidlit poetry contest! It was such a delight to read through all of the incredible entries about the sweet and silly little things you all love! We are excited to announce our WINNER... artwork by Little Thoughts Press cover artist, Rachael Taylor JENN GAULDING When Some-bunny Gets You Every day Marie comes home with me. We race to space aboard my tire swing or host a tea with acorns from my tree. Together, w

Better in Nature As night turns into day, And the sun shines through the trees The sound of a squirrel Scampering through the forest With a fruit in its mouth, Dropping the seed, The start of a sprout Drops of rain, Pitter Patter Giving rise to the growth of a tree As the wind rustles through the leaves And the bees pollinate the flowers Something magical happens Signs of life Every force of nature Working together to create A beautiful ecosystem For us to enjoy Zara Furnitur

Lollie Say What? by Harper Thayn One fall mid-morning, my friend, Zoe, my two-year-old sister, Indie, and I went to the park with my Grandma Winnie. When we were playing, Indie started yelling my name. “Harper! HARPER!!!” she yelled. When I went over to her, I saw something very mysterious. I told Zoe to come over to me to show her what I found, green goop on a sparkly, glowing tree! With little pops of colorful smoke, lollipops began appearing on the tree. “Pease?” said Ind

Lionfish by Isabelle Paruzel-Gibson Reef for One, and Reef for All. by Isabelle Paruzel-Gibson When most people think about supporting their community, they likely imagine helping an elderly across the street or picking up litter. Those are both great ideas but, have you thought about helping life below the surface? I’m talking about the underwater life that lives on earth. One of the many ways of making a positive impact is lionfish hunting. People are always saying fishing

Us Together We link together, Like trees intertwine, To show the passion We share, Hand and hand, A Sweet Flowing Symphony. We are a Team, As our puzzles connect, The powerful memories, Make a masterpiece, Of a Million Years Together, And Forever. 

 I Run I run through the forest, I run through the meadow, Just looking for you. We can be a dream The strength of power With your smile, My day is like the colors of a sunset. Me alone; I am those fields Of rights And wro

Little Thoughts Press Issue Eleven: Stirring Words, showcasing the illustration A Murklin Sonata by Stephanie Buosi. Stephanie Buosi is a Canadian illustrator and graphic designer who loves drawing animals, fantasy creatures, and kids on adventures. She’s an environmentalist, and in her spare time volunteers with Turtle Protectors in Toronto, assisting mama turtles throughout the nesting season. When she’s not doodling in her sketchbooks, you can find her outside among the t