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Little Thoughts Press Issue Twelve: Better Together with a sneak peek of the poem "Before My School" by Jenn Gaulding. Jenn Gaulding is a math and science educator and a picture book writer who believes even small exchanges of empathy and kindness make the world a better place. Jenn lives near Atlanta, GA, and is a member of the 12x12 Picture Book Challenge and SCBWI. In 2025, her short stories and poems were selected as finalists or runners-up in several kidlit writing competitions, including Valentiny, Spring Fling, SunWriteFun, and Halloweensie. Visit her at JennGaulding.com and on Instagram @jenngauldingbooks and BlueSky @ jenngauldingbooks.bsky.social . Little Thoughts Press: Your poem “Before My School” was inspired by the real-life Miss Debbie, the crossing guard at your children’s school! First off, can you tell us more about the real Miss Debbie? Does she know you wrote a poem for her?  Jenn Gaulding: Yes, my poem was inspired by one of the superheroes in my real life, Ms. Debbie. She has been a staple at my kids’ elementary school for over a decade now; can you imagine the difference a person can make when they are the first adult to greet a child each morning before school and the last one to tell them goodbye each afternoon?  Though some parts of the poem are exaggerated with the intent of capturing Ms. Debbie’s impact, other parts of the poem are true. She really brings her dogs (first Rufus and now Jasper) to greet the children each morning, and the high schoolers in our neighborhood still talk about Ms. Debbie’s Popcorn Days! Ms. Debbie did not know that I wrote a poem that she inspired… until it was published! We purchased a copy of Little Thoughts Press , Issue 12 just for her, though. My daughter and I wrapped it up and presented it to her just before winter break this year. Ms. Debbie seemed to be very touched by it, and my daughter snapped a photo of us to remember the moment. Little Thoughts Press: And second, how often do the people and experiences from your everyday life feature in your writing? What are some additional sources of inspiration or sparks for your creativity? Jenn Gaulding: Noticing how the people around me think and feel about big events, tiny moments, and everything in between inspires almost all of my writing. I’m lucky to be a mom and a teacher, so of course, my children, their friends, and my students definitely spark new story ideas nearly every day. Little Thoughts Press: Crossing guards are a wonderful example of people in our communities whose work and presence make our communities safer, more pleasant and better connected. Can you offer young readers some more examples of community members whose everyday acts of care and assistance help to make the world better? What is your advice for how we can all do a better job of recognizing and celebrating small acts of kindness, empathy and care in our lives and our communities? Jenn Gaulding: There are so many community members whose actions make the world a better place, but I would say, it’s not so much what  you do in this world as it is how  you do it. There are people who show up to do their jobs and get their work done, and that’s fine. But then there are people who show up to do their jobs but then go above and beyond what’s required – those are the difference makers! Maybe you serve food at a restaurant, and you go the extra mile to find and contact a customer who has left a treasured item behind — that makes a difference. Or, you are a dental hygienist, and you take time to explain to your nervous patient how your tools work, sound, taste, and feel before beginning to clean their teeth — that matters, too. For me, it always comes back to that golden rule — consider what others may be feeling, and respond to them with the empathy and kindness that you would want to receive if you were walking in their shoes. And when someone is kind to you, make sure to tell them that you noticed their efforts and appreciate it. Using the words “thank you” and calling the person who helped you by name can go a long way! Little Thoughts Press: Our Better Together issue is all about community and people working together to make the world a better place. What are some actions, big or small, that you take to help make the world better? Are there any organizations that are doing good, important work that you want to shout out? Jenn Gaulding: One of our family’s favorite annual traditions is to countdown to Christmas with our beloved kindness calendar. For the first 25 days of December, we challenge ourselves to complete an act of kindness each day. Some days have small challenges, like giving someone a genuine compliment or holding the door for another person. Other days have larger challenges, like hosting a drive where we collect canned goods for our local food pantry and make holiday cards for residents at a nearby senior center.  Because of our kindness calendar, we’ve met and served alongside the Galucki family, creators of the Neighborhood Christmas Train Experience, located in Norcross, GA. The Galucki family found a way to combine their passions — for model trains and for helping neighbors — and create an exhibit with a lasting impact. Their elaborate collection of model trains and tiny villages is open to the public each weekend in December. Ticket sales have climbed with each of the four years the Galucki family has opened their display, and all proceeds go directly to the Neighborhood Cooperative Ministries, a non-profit that supports low-income and homeless families with food, clothing, medical expenses, housing assistance, and more. I just love when people find creative ways to use their own interests and passions to help others – everyone benefits! Another organization that is near and dear to my heart is The SebiStrong Foundation, which works to support families who have recently been diagnosed with childhood cancer. Soon, I am hoping to share a story I’ve written about the incredible family behind this foundation! Little Thoughts Press: How did you get started writing kid-lit and what do you find most challenging and rewarding about writing for kids? Jenn Gaulding: I actually started writing kid-lit after my daughters published eBooks about their favorite holiday traditions through a competition offered by our local library. It seemed like so much fun that I decided to try to write my own story (and, you guessed it, I wrote about our Christmas kindness calendar!). I’ve been hooked ever since!  For me, the most rewarding part about creating picture books is finding and spotlighting those small moments of truth that matter to kids. The hardest part, though, is figuring out how to place those moments within the context of a story that has a beginning, a middle, and an end. Little Thoughts Press: Which kid-lit authors and books were your favorites growing up? Jenn Gaulding: Even as a kid, I was captivated by stories with rhythm. Well before I could actually read, I would remember and recite stories that were read aloud to me, which made them so accessible and fun. The first book I could “read” was the classic Madeline . I also loved The Night Before Christmas and Shel Silverstein’s collection of poems in Where The Sidewalk Ends . Little Thoughts Press: And what about today? Any kid-lit writers you love and want to shout out? Jenn Gaulding: There are so many! But I especially love picture books by Rebecca Gardyn Levington and Katrina Moore, which are often written in perfect rhyme and meter and so full of heart.  Little Thoughts Press: What advice would you give to young writers? Jenn Gaulding:   Notice. Notice the little moments of life that make your world turn. Notice the moments that make the kids around you (or the kid inside you) feel big feelings. Then, write them all down. Little Thoughts Press: Is there anything else you wish I had asked? Any upcoming projects, publications, or other news you'd like to share? Jenn Gaulding: This year, I’m excited to keep creating new drafts and polishing current stories, but I am also ready to start querying in the hope of finding an agent who can help me publish my stories. I am always eager to meet others in this kidlit community. Please feel free to reach out and connect!

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 Astra International Picture Book Writing Contest award, and Madness Poetry champion. David is a full-time world traveler, bird nerd, and YouTuber. In past careers, he was a Broadway actor, an educator, and a children’s librarian. Little Thoughts Press: "School Library Donation Day" is quite a feat of rhyme and rhythm! Do you have any tips or techniques to offer to young writers who are experimenting with rhyme or meter for the first time? Can you recommend a few rhyming poems that are your personal favorites and that you think are especially strong examples of the form?  David McMullin: First, don’t worry about the rhyme and rhythm. Most important thing is a good idea or story. If the story is bad, no one will want to read it in the first place. If the rhythm and rhyme aren’t perfect, no one will care. But, it’s always nice to get it right. The easiest way to start is to copy. Find a popular nursery rhyme and exchange its words with for own. Don’t be afraid to use online resources like a rhyming dictionary or thesaurus. I’ve heard people ask, “Isn’t that cheating?” No way!  They are great tools. While using them, I often find new ideas that make my writing even more creative. Some poems I recommend are: "Sick" by Shel Silverstein from Where the Sidewalk Ends . This is the first poem I ever memorized. "A Visit from St. Nicholas" by Clement Clarke Moore is expertly written! I also recommend all young poets take a look at the Mother Goose  nursery rhymes. Little Thoughts Press: You’ve had a number of careers in addition to being a writer, including as an educator, a children’s librarian, and a Broadway actor! How have these past experiences informed and influenced your approach to writing and specifically your writing for children? David McMullin: It is definitely all connected. From acting, I learned to be creative, to take chances, to tell a strong story, and to collaborate. As an educator, I spent time with hundreds of kids, and as a librarian, I read thousands of children’s books. It all led to where I am today. Little Thoughts Press: Our Better Together issue is all about community and people working together to make the world a better place. What are some actions, big or small, that you take to help make the world better? Are there any organizations that are doing good, important work that you want to shout out? David McMullin: If you are a writer, you have a great head start. A good story can entertain, teach, help the reader understand themself better, and help them understand others. I always like to consider how my actions affect others. I’m happy to see We Need Diverse Books  making positive changes in the world, and I’ll give a shout-out to all the librarians out there! Little Thoughts Press: How did you get started writing kid-lit and what do you find most challenging and rewarding about writing for kids? David McMullin: After I left my career as a singer and dancer, my brain kept letting me know that it needed me to stay creative. My free time was too  free. Art and writing seemed like a natural way to fill the void. When I was young, I had a few learning disabilities. Reading was challenging, and I never wanted to pick up a book. Now, I want to help kids who are like I was, by creating fun, short poems and stories that encourage them to give reading a try. Little Thoughts Press: Which kid-lit authors and books were your favorites growing up? David McMullin: My all-time favorite book is The Little Prince  by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. The Roald Dahl books are a close second, especially James and the Giant Peach . I also loved the Dr. Seuss books. Those started my love of rhyme. Little Thoughts Press: And what about today? Any kid-lit writers you love and want to shout out? David McMullin: From the books that came out last year, I loved Dinos that Drive by Suzy Levinson and Boing! by James Carter. Little Thoughts Press: What advice would you give to young writers? David McMullin: My advice is to start small. A poem can be short, just one to three lines. Have fun, make it simple. Little Thoughts Press: Is there anything else you wish I had asked? Any upcoming projects, publications, or other news you'd like to share? David McMullin: March 3rd is the release of my board book Rock ’n’ Roll Baby with Penguin/Random House, and I have an early reader series coming out next fall. I can’t wait to share those books with the world!

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, we imagine everything.   Today, we find two bunnies in my shed. We scoop them up and hold them oh-so-tight! “I’ll name mine Hops,” I wink. “Let’s call yours Fred.” We pet and hug them, giggling with delight.   We’re all in now ­— devoted to their needs. We build them shelters, colorful and strong, then pick and fix them yummy bowls of weeds. Marie and me, we love them all day long.   Our friendship’s full of silliness and trust, and afternoons with bunnies ­— made from dust. Congratulations, Jenn! Here's what guest judge, Linda Hofke, had to say about our winner: Not only did Jenn capture the love between best friends in her sonnet but she also added the element of humor with her twist ending. To get to the last lines and realize the bunnies they've been pampering all day are actually dust bunnies...well, that is just plain silly. The combo of heart and humor always works for me. Plus, it reminded me of all the weirdly creative things my childhood bestie and I did when we were young.  AND OUR HONORABLE MENTIONS ARE... LAURA WIPPELL Ode to Cat Hair I can’t imagine life without a mess of little gray mementos left for me. They’re sprinkled with such love and great finesse. I know there’s many more I cannot see.   She rubs and rolls and flicks her tail just so. I try the brush but she will not behave. The hairs fly out, they know just where to go. Tsunami! We are surfing a gray wave.   My winter coat, my pillow case, oh dear! What other hairy tokens lie in wait? They’re up my nose! I’ll smell  more out, I fear. They’re floating through my tea! They’re on my plate!   I can’t imagine life without her here. Her hair reminds me she is always near.  Linda says: When deciding who or what to write a love sonnet about, one wouldn't normally think of cat hair. Such a ridiculous idea. And the reader learns that it's not just a bit, it's everywhere! After much lament about all the places the cat hair appears, the closing lines take us from humor to heart and a reminder of the things we tolerate for those we love.  & ISABELLE PARUZEL-GIBSON Fourteen in the Fourteen February the fourteenth marks romance It started in the fourteenth century The love day customs started to advance This day would stay in people’s memory Valentine’s Day is now about a sweet The fourteenth century flew like a dove Back then you’d be lucky to get a treat This day was noted to be one for love People drew names to pick a valentine Hung up everywhere lights like a fairy Outside all you hear is will you be mine Children play in the snow couples marry It was honoured in history’s pages So it kept flowing throughout the ages Claire says: Without Valentine's Day, there would be no Silly Love Sonnets and Isabelle's ode to February 14th is a perfect way to honor the reason for our contest season! I liked how Isabelle constrasts modern and historical Valentine's Day customs, but incorporates such classic and universal images of love and joyful celebration that beautifully bridge the divide between the 14th century and our current day. And lastly, my nine-year-old's favorite and the winner of our KID'S CHOICE is... ERIN ZAMPAGLIONE To Snooze in Bed This Morning To snooze in bed this morning. Could there be A greater tale of love that’s e’er been told? To drift twixt wake and slumber, thinking free Within my mighty fortress from the cold. The pillow is a cloud upon which rests My heavy head, in cotton candy sky. It cradles me, as gently as the nests Of baby birds who have no need to fly. The blanket is a chrysalis of down. And I, the caterpillar, do implore To thee, please do not rouse me, for I’m found Not yet a butterfly. Five minutes more? What tears me from this warm embrace, so cruel? The beeping, harsh alarm: it’s time for school! Here are a few thoughts on his choice: "Oh man, this relates so much to my life. This is definitely my winner." Linda adds: This sonnet reads like a classic sonnet and I like the beautiful wording and imagery used. Plus, I totally understand a love poem to slumber. Who doesn't like to be snuggled warm in bed. The unfortunate twist--the alarm signalling it's time to wake and go to school--is relatable to most kids. A nice combination of elements.  Congratulations to all our winners! Please email me at littlethoughtspress at gmail to claim your prizes and coordinate shipping. Our Winner, Honorable Mentions, and Kid's Choice winner will receive a copy of one of our issues and a bookmark featuring cover art from Little Thoughts Press. Thank you again to everyone who participated! It was such a treat to read through your entries . And thank you as always for reading and supporting Little Thoughts Press! Our 14th issue will open for submissions in March and the theme will be announced soon, so keep your eye on this space !

Valentine's Day is almost here! To celebrate and spread a little kidlit love, we are excited to once again host our "Silly Love Sonnets” Kidlit Poetry Contest! This year, we are happy to welcome our guest judge, Linda Hofke! Linda was our 2025 Silly Love Sonnets winner ! artwork by Little Thoughts Press cover artist, Rachael Taylor It's time again to celebrate the little things you love the most! Blue M&Ms, kitty cat sneezes, cupcake frosting, absolutely nailing a backflip when jumping on a trampoline! Give us unusual perspectives: the first flake of a big snowstorm making its way to the ground, a hummingbird in search of the perfect flower, a chocolate chip cookie excited to be a child's yummy treat. Don't let the form scare you away. We are looking for sonnets but aren't sticklers for specific rules. Just give us fourteen lines about something silly you love. Rhyme and meter are a plus, but aren't required. What: A fourteen-line poem celebrating any little thing you love. The sillier the better! This is all about spreading joy and saluting the small pleasures in life. All submissions should be appropriate for a readership of kids ages 12 and younger. Who: Agented, pre-agented, published, pre-published, writers of all ages and stages— all kidlit creatives are welcome to enter! When: The contest submission period is from February 9th - 11th . A winner, two honorable mentions, and a kid choice winner will be announced here, on the Little Thoughts Press blog, and on our socials on Saturday, February 14th! Selected poems will be featured on the blog and the winner will receive a free copy of their choice of one of our issues & a bookmark featuring Little Thoughts Press cover art. Winning entries will be selected by our guest judge, Linda Hofke (last year's Silly Love Sonnets winner!) and by Little Thoughts Press editor-in-chief, Claire. How to enter: Post your entry as a comment on this post by 11:59 pm (EST) on February 11th. Comments will be turned on starting February 9th. Entries posted outside of this window will not be considered. Please include your name with your poem so we know for sure whose entry it is! Details: Rhyme and meter are not required, but your sonnet must be fourteen lines. 1 entry per kidlit creator. Grab your copy of our participant badge and help spread the word by sharing #sillylovesonnets on your socials! We can't wait to see all the silly things you can't help but love!

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 Furniturewala is currently in sixth grade and eleven years old. She loves friendship and family, books, and loves to read, play tennis, and sing. She has also said that she would travel to Florida if she could travel anywhere. Your poem “Better in Nature” beautifully captures the way different elements in nature work together to create a sustainable, thriving ecosystem. What lessons do you think people can take from nature about the importance of working together? My poem, "Better in Nature," is all about how different elements in nature work together to create a thriving ecosystem. Just like in nature, every human being is also different. However in the world today, humans fight over land, water and resources, and in the bargain people get hurt. Instead, if they worked together towards a common goal, understanding each other and taking advantage of their differences the world would be a much better place. I think that people should know that everybody plays a part in making this world beautiful.  What is your favorite topic to study in school? I love to learn about science and I recently learned about ecosystems and what composes an ecosystem.  What book are you currently reading or read most recently? Would you recommend this book to other readers? Apart from science, I love to read. I recently read Inside Out and Back Again , which is a beautiful book written in free verse about a girl who flees Vietnam to Alabama. It is a book about culture, hope, friendships and strength. I would definitely recommend this book. Our Better Together issue is all about community and people working together to make the world a better place. What actions, big or small, do you suggest fellow kids take to help the world? Although our world is such a great place, it is very littered. We kids have the opportunity to clean up the earth and make it a great place for animals and ourselves.

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 Indie, pointing to a rainbow lollipop. “Fine,” I said. “But just one.” So, all three of us tried one. We felt a tingly feeling spread throughout our bodies. “Whoa, I feel weird," said Zoe. “Me too,” I said. Then, we felt the tingling become more like a slight tickle. “Uh-oh,” said Indie. “Uh-oh’s right!!!” I said. Then, we realized something terrible had happened. Indie learned a new word no-one said. “Uh-oh, we swunked.” “AAAAAAAHHHHH!!!!!!!!!” Thump. Zoe screamed and passed out. I found my water bottle sitting on the ground. I tipped it, made a little puddle, and splashed some water on her face. When she woke up, we all still panicked a little, then, as if things were not bad enough, we realized Indie was missing! At first, I thought that it was alright because she was probably going to get our grandmother, then I realized, Indie’s the size of a beetle, Grandma won’t see her!!! So, me and Zoe ran over to catch her. To our great surprise, Indie got my grandma’s attention!!!!!!! We were speechless. “How?!?” Zoe finally said. “Tickle, tickle,” Indie said, twiddling her fingers. Then, without warning, my grandma bent over, swooped us up and put us in her pocket. When we got home, my grandma started rummaging around for something, when all of a sudden, we heard a low hissing sound. Jumping out was a giant mouse!!! We ran and ran, but then something caught the corner of my eye. It was a little baby mouse! Then TWO!! All of a sudden, there were seven baby mice and a mother!! I stopped, looked back, and bowed to the mouse, which was a father!!!! He bowed back, and I told Indie and Zoe to stop running. When they did, they bowed (but Indie gave a hug), and again, the father bowed back. He led us to the baby mice, and we got to play with them. My grandma then came in with a bag of flour. “Why?” said Indie pointing. “Yeah, why do you have a bag of flour?” asked Zoe. She gasped. “Do we get pancakes?!?!?!” Grandma shook her head and sprinkled the pink flour on us, then moved away. Then, we felt the tingly and tickly feeling like what we felt before, then, we sneezed, changing back into our normal size. “Pancake time!!!” said my grandma… “So, girls,” my grandma said as we drove down my driveway. “What is the most important thing I told you?” “Don’t tell our moms,” we said in unison. “Mama, no,” Indie said too. “Very good,” she said, and we got out laughing… “Hi, momma. We swunked.” “Zip it, Indie!” Harper Thayn is a 5th grade student attending Gem Prep's Emmett Learning Society in Idaho. This story was created for her first language arts narrative essay. Your story, “Lollie Say What!” puts your characters into some delightfully magical peril. What inspired you to write this tale of a magically shrinking trio of friends and siblings to demonstrate how people need to work together and help each other to solve problems? I really like this question! I love adventures, my whole family does. We love to be outside especially and make adventures out of things that could seem otherwise boring. I love my family and my friends a lot, my parents have always taught us we need to watch out for each other and work together, so it just made sense in my story that we need to work together.  What is your favorite topic to study in school? My favorite topics in school are history and reading. I love to read. My mom thinks it’s crazy but I always have at least 3 different books that I’m reading at a time; one in my bed, one that I keep in the car, and one in my piano bag for piano lessons! I love reading. A lot. My other favorite subject is history. I’ve really liked studying and learning about America being founded and all about that time period.  What is the most interesting thing you recently learned? I have loved learning about the colonies. My dad also loves history, and so does my grandpa. So they keep giving me stories and books to read about the colonies and the founding fathers.  What book are you currently reading or read most recently? Would you recommend this book to other readers? I love the FableHaven series. I’ve read more books than I can count, but my most recent favorite was that series.  Our Better Together issue is all about community and people working together to make the world a better place. What actions, big or small, do you suggest fellow kids take to help the world? I think it’s so important to leave people and places better than we find them. My family likes to do things like Secret Santa or taking things to the retirement homes to decorate their doors or their rooms. It just makes people happy. I think it’s important to do selfless things for people. My mom said we need to look outside of ourselves and I think that’s really good advice for kids to help the world.

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 isn’t good for the environment, but in this case, hunting lionfish protects it. Lionfish are invasive in the Mediterranean, Caribbean, and Atlantic, just not in the Red Sea, where they are native. Since lionfish are invasive in so many parts of the world they take over reefs and warm waters. They have spines all along their backs that they use to inject venom into their victims. The venom is very painful and paralyzes the fish it stings, making it easier to catch and eat. This is all part of the food chain but lionfish reproduce quickly, and have no natural predators, making them harmful to the ecosystem. Lionfish also eat very important native fish. For example, some native fish eat algae but if their population decreases, the algae damages the coral reefs, which are homes for many fish. Lionfish hunters reduce the negative impact lionfish make by hunting them and controlling their population. The hunters do it in a safe and secure way so that they don’t get hurt themselves. One lionfish hunter takes things even further. Her name is Lisette. She lives in Curacao where she is both a diver and a conservationist. To hunt the lionfish, Lisette uses a machine called the zookeeper. It keeps the hunter safe by trapping the lionfish inside. After hunting the lionfish, she freezes them, and removes their spines to make these fish safe to eat. Lisette makes many delicious dishes with lionfish meat like tacos and dumplings! She even opened a modern-day restaurant to share her dishes with the community. What’s even more interesting is that her restaurant doesn’t only sell fish. She also takes the spines of the lionfish and turns them into jewelry! Again, the spines don’t have the venom in them any more at that point. In that wonderful restaurant and jewelry store, she also teaches people about lionfish, how to cook them, and how to catch them. That's how I know all about them! I went there in 2024. But, Lisette lives in Curacao so you have to fly there if you live in Canada or the USA! Isn’t all that amazing? After greatly benefiting the underwater ecosystem, lionfish hunters like Lisette also support local communities by cooking the lionfish and educating people about this species. By controlling the lionfish population, hunters protect coral reefs and native fish species, which makes sure that all fish can enjoy the coral reefs. Isabelle Paruzel-Gibson , a 10-year-old writer from Burlington, Ontario, Canada, has been passionate about storytelling since the age of five. She finds joy in crafting stories that transport readers to new and imaginative worlds. Isabelle’s dedication to her craft recently earned her a place in the Stirring Words issue of Little Thoughts Press , where her story, "Perfectly Imperfect," was published. Your story, “Reef for One and Reef for All” is so informative! Thank you for bringing attention to Lisette and the important work of managing invasive species. Growing our knowledge of the specific concerns and issues that communities in different parts of the world are facing is so helpful to broadening our understanding of how we can work together for a better future. In your piece here, you’ve shared with readers an issue facing the natural habitats in the Mediterranean, Caribbean, and Atlantic waterways, and the work that is being done in Curacao to combat it. What about in your local community? Are there any specific local issues that you would like to bring attention to and individuals, organizations or other community helpers that you’d like to shout out and celebrate? What a great question! Many organizations around my community and I’m sure yours too, are great for the environment, helping it be sustainable and tending to some of the more pressing matters of humanity! One of those problems is world hunger, which is now very widespread in Africa and South Asia! Even one person at a time helping the world be a better place makes a great impact! For example, someone on my street opened a food drive to help those in need. From late October to early November this Halloween-themed food drive encourages people to reach out a helping hand. During all of fall and even when you're trick-or-treating, you can stop by to donate canned goods, helping people from all around the community! What is your favorite topic to study in school? I love this question! As a writer I have obviously always been very attached to writing and creating new and exciting stories for others! However, language is not the only subject that I love. Math is a completely different subject that I’m drawn to. I enjoy solving problems in many different ways! But if someone were to ask me what my top three favorite subjects are, art would round out the three.  What is the most interesting thing you recently learned? This is a very hard question! Since our brains take in hundreds of pieces of information every day this question has many answers! One very interesting fact that I learned at the shark exhibit in the Royal Ontario Museum, is that some sharks are bioluminescent, which means they can glow in the dark! Such sharks include the lantern shark and kitefin shark. Wouldn’t it be cool if humans could just glow at will? What book are you currently reading or read most recently? Would you recommend this book to other readers? Well, since I love most books, I’m constantly reading. But some books stand out to me more than others! One of those books is Faker by Gordan Korman! This book highlights the fact that not all main characters are super heroes and can get up to no good! Not just kids, but adults can too! My second favourite book is Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire ! This book is very magical and is full of surprises, which almost always leave me speechless! Our Better Together issue is all about community and people working together to make the world a better place. What actions, big or small, do you suggest fellow kids take to help the world? This is another tricky question! Since nothing can be perfect, I doubt that the world ever will be, but we can all help out so that little by little the world becomes a better place. I encourage kids to join clubs or teams that affect the environment positively or help your community become closer! Such as picking up garbage or volunteering at retirement homes! You could also do small acts like turning off the tap when you're not using it or turning off the light when you leave the room. Every small positive act helps the world little by little!

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 wrongs. But together; We are the Redwood Tree, Strong  And wise, With sunlight seeping in.


 The Luxury If I were lazing, I would be like A tiny cat Stranded from its home If I were alone, I would be like  Dead leaves falling Into a mystery. If we are together We are the leader Of the land, The Palm Tree Sunbathing On the beach Drinking  Fresh coconuts. Anika Mudivedu is an eleven-year-old 6th grader at Pinewood in Los Altos, California. She loves to write more than anything but also plays tennis. She spends a lot of her time with family by eating dinner together. Her poems are about nature, a place where she loves to relax. Your poems contain a lot of strong, vivid metaphors (forests, trees intertwined, puzzle pieces coming together). When you set out to write these pieces, how did you decide what images you wanted to use to demonstrate the idea of community and working together? It was the first thing that came to my mind because I like the outdoors and want to express my love in hiking with my family. What is your favorite topic to study in school? My favorite topic to study in school is writing, either free journaling or writing stories. What is the most interesting thing you recently learned? The most interesting thing that I recently learned was the discrimination in the United States during the 1900s. What book are you currently reading or read most recently? Would you recommend this book to other readers? I really enjoyed reading Inside Out and Back Again . It is written in free verse poems and is about a Vietnamese family who comes to America and faces a lot of discrimination, but fights through it. Our Better Together issue is all about community and people working together to make the world a better place. What actions, big or small, do you suggest fellow kids take to help the world? I suggest kids take action of what they believe is right to help our world.  Maybe be something small like creating more happiness and sitting with a friend.

Coffee Shop our local coffee shop is not closed it is open but no one is at it at least, no one who cares. the food is good, so that’s not why we don’t go there anymore we like the baristas and the music but we don’t like where the money goes at least, no one who cares. mum says it will be forced to close soon, or change without any business, no money to pay the rent more importantly, no money to give to career politicians or big corporations people we don’t tolerate, too, like those who say we shouldn’t be in the country or people who don’t like us because of who and how we love to tell you the truth, I don’t know where the money actually goes but I know it goes to no one who cares Rosalind Wildson is 10. She loves books, especially Harry Potter , otters, and cats, and baking. Your poem “Coffee Shop” gives readers a strong, clear picture of how boycotting businesses serves as a way to reject ideas and policies that are harmful and discriminatory and how sometimes we have to make sacrifices (like choosing to no longer visit our favorite shops or restaurants) to help build a better world. When it comes to working together to make the world a better place, what other actions, big or small, do you suggest fellow kids take?  There's one project I did somewhere where you write a letter to a person or company that you think could do better, trying to persuade them to change something. (e.g. the mayor). Sometimes you get responses or do what you asked them to do, which is really cool! What is your favorite topic to study in school? I like art and writing a lot, they're my favorites. What is the most interesting thing you recently learned? In the Amazon rainforest, there's a language where you have to specify how you found out information, either by seeing it, hearing it from someone, noticing evidence, or guessing. (e. g. I noticed evidence that my friend ate ice cream yesterday, there were waffle cone crumbs on their dining table).  You also can't say "I have a dog" unless you have the dog right there with you. You have to say "Last time I checked, I have a dog," since you can't technically prove it at the time. What book are you currently reading or read most recently? Would you recommend this book to other readers? I'm reading  My Family Divided,  by Diane Guerrero. It's a true story, and I would definitely recommend it! It deals with things like deportation, etc., so maybe not for everyone, though.

Little Thoughts Press Issue Eleven: Stirring Words with a sneak peek of the poem "Elf-Locks" by Mims Sully, featuring artwork by Kim Wagner Nolan. Mims Sully  is a prize-winning poet from Sussex, England, who writes for both adults and children. Her poetry for children has been published in Tyger Tyger , The Dirigible   Balloon , The   Changeling, The   Toy and Little Thoughts Press . When not writing, she enjoys baking, swimming, playing board games and exploring the countryside. Little Thoughts Press: " Elf-Locks" starts out sounding as if it’s going to be a light-hearted, slightly silly poem about hair tied up in knots by mischievous elves, but at line 7 it takes an unexpectedly lyrical turn, transporting the reader into a world of moonlit glades and drifting blossom. Did you plan this turn, or did the poem take on a life of its own as you were writing it?   Mims Sully: I think most poems take on a life of their own as you write them. What starts off with the spark of an idea often develops in surprising directions as your imagination takes flight. The opening of "Elf-Locks" came easily as I simply described the meaning/origin of the word in folklore. I love the idea of elves as mischief-makers tangling up children's hair as they sleep giving them elf-locks in the morning. But then I found myself wondering is there more to this than naughtiness? And why don't their antics wake the children in the night? Pondering these questions inspired the 'lyrical turn' and the rest of the poem as I imagined the elves singing songs that act like lullabies, or magic spells, keeping the children undisturbed in dreamland. Little Thoughts Press: What advice do you have for young writers who would like to use a folktale as the basis for a poem or story? Mims Sully: Because fairytales traditionally use stock characters, or rather stereotypes, such as the evil stepmother, the beautiful princess etc, my advice is to put yourself in a character's shoes and imagine how you would feel, think and act in their place. This will make the characters seem more human and give your writing emotional depth. Exploring the fairytale in this way will also help you to develop your own authentic voice and give a unique slant to your writing.   Little Thoughts Press: Our Stirring Words issue is all about odd, interesting, or inspiring words and phrases. What is your favorite word right now? Why do you love it? Mims Sully: My dad used to say that elbow was the most beautiful-sounding word in the English language and I have inherited his love for it. I like how soft and poetic it sounds, yet it literally means 'arm-bend' in Old English. I've always liked the word chinwag because it amusingly describes the movement of people's chins as they talk. However, my favourite word right now came out of a typo in a text to my partner. I meant to write darling but instead I wrote farling—a portmanteau, or made-up word fusing together far and darling, which I think is a lovely way to describe a loved one when you're apart.     Little Thoughts Press: Why did you choose the word(s) you chose to feature in your Stirring Words piece? Mims Sully: I enjoyed reading through the Stirring Words list, kindly provided by guest editor Jennifer Thomas, to help inspire new writing. When I came across the word Elf-Locks, I was intrigued as I love anything to do with folklore. When I found out what it meant, I knew I had to write a poem about it as I wake up every morning with bed head and now I know why! I also sneaked in another word from the list: day-peep (but it appears as the phrase 'the peep of day' in my poem). It is an archaic term meaning 'dawn', or 'the break of day'. I love how lyrical it sounds and how it evokes the image of the sun glancing furtively over the horizon as it rises. Little Thoughts Press: How did you get started writing kid-lit and what do you find most challenging and rewarding about writing for kids? Mims Sully: I responded to a call-out for a children's magazine with a couple of poems that fit the theme but that hadn't been written specifically for children. When one got accepted for publication, it encouraged me to think that writing for children might be something I could pursue. A little while later, my then three-year-old niece told me a story about giving a funeral for a bee she had rescued too late from a spider's web. I was so touched by her tale that I wrote her a poem about it—my first ever children's poem. From then on, I was hooked. One of the most challenging aspects of writing for children is finding words that both rhyme and express your desired meaning (children's poetry doesn't have to rhyme but sometimes I feel a poem requires it). That said, it is so satisfying when you do stumble upon those words and your poem finally comes together, a bit like a jigsaw puzzle.   Little Thoughts Press: Which kid-lit authors and books were your favorites growing up? Mims Sully: I grew up on such classics as the fairytales of Hans Christian Andersen and the brothers Grimm, Aesop's Fables , the Just So Stories  by Rudyard Kipling, and Atticus the Storyteller's 100 Greek Myths . I was and still am a massive fan of Roald Dahl's books, especially The Giraffe and the Pelly and Me , The Magic Finger , The BFG,  and his poetry collections: Revolting Rhymes  and Dirty Beasts . I loved Burgler Bill  and Funny Bones  by Janet and Allan Ahlberg. Babette Cole's Princess Smartypants  and Frank Muir's What-a-Mess  books were also firm favourites. I was obsessed with the Goosebumps series by R.L. Stine. And I devoured all the Usborne Puzzle Adventures and Whodunnits, where the reader is invited to play armchair detective and follow the clues to solve each case. Little Thoughts Press: And what about today? Any kid-lit writers you love and want to shout out? Mims Sully: Shaun Tan's work is incredible. I love how he blends image and text to create beautiful, surreal, emotionally-charged stories. His Tales from Outer Suburbia  is just gorgeous. Jon Klassen is brilliant too—the Hat  Trilogy picture books and The Skull  are laugh-out-loud funny. I also really enjoy reading middle-grade fiction and can highly recommend Geraldine McCaughrean's haunting tale of survival, Where the World Ends , Sara Pennypacker's heart-wrenching story, Pax, and anything by Sophie Anderson, whose work is often inspired by the Slavic folk tales her Prussian Grandmother told her as a child.    Little Thoughts Press: What advice would you give to young writers? Mims Sully: Daydream! It's amazing how much 'writing' takes place away from the page. Let your mind roam and your imagination soar. Next time you put pen to paper, you might find you have a lot to say. Similarly, if you ever find yourself struggling, take a break, or sleep on it. The distance will refresh your perspective and your dreaming brain is fantastic at solving problems. I would also encourage you to write about whatever you want (even if it seems silly, trivial, embarrassing, boring, etc.) because if the topic interests you, it is bound to interest someone else too. However, remember that not all poems or stories need to be shared, sometimes they can just be your own private scribbles. Should you wish to be published, just keep submitting—all good writers experience rejection, the ones that get their work out there just persevere.   Little Thoughts Press: Is there anything else you wish I had asked? Any upcoming projects, publications, or other news you'd like to share? Mims Sully: I have some poems for adults due out in literary magazines next year and am currently working on several children's poems I hope to find homes for in publications soon. Thank you for asking such interesting questions; it has been a pleasure answering them. I'm very proud to have been published in this fantastic magazine and I would heartily recommend Little Thoughts Press  to everyone, readers and writers alike.

Little Thoughts Press Issue Eleven: Stirring Words with a sneak peek of the poem "Cats and Dogs" by Webb Smith, featuring artwork by Kim Wagner Nolan. Webb Smith is a retired firefighter from metro-Atlanta with a master’s degree in biomechanics. He has written, illustrated, and self-published three books that can be viewed at www.webbsmithbooks.com . His bucket list includes scuba diving with great white sharks and going to a Nippon League baseball game in Japan. Little Thoughts Press: " Cats and Dogs" has an infectious rhythm. When you’re writing poetry, how do you decide whether a poem will be rhyming and rhythmic or whether it will be more free-flowing? Webb Smith: Whenever I jot down thoughts for a poem, a rhythm always seems to emerge. It’s like a catchy song that suddenly gets stuck in your head. In this case, it happened to be iambic. It’s never predetermined, but once it appears, I try to stay consistent throughout the poem.   Little Thoughts Press: There’s a wonderfully exuberant feel to "Cats and Dogs" that leaves readers feeling joyful. How would you advise young writers to tap into their emotions as they’re writing? Webb Smith: Great question! As we age, I think our emotions become “diluted” or cluttered with practical thoughts. We might still enjoy a fresh snowfall, but we also stress about road closures and shoveling the driveway. Kids are able to fully embrace their emotions. I often make a conscious effort to suspend practical notions and inhibitions. In other words, dance like no one is watching. Little Thoughts Press: Our Stirring Words issue is all about odd, interesting, or inspiring words and phrases. What is your favorite word right now? Why do you love it? Webb Smith: My family and I often invent new words. Recently, I started saying “Bluzya,” which is a mashup for “But I love ya.” If someone is having a rough day, they might hear me yell, “Bluzya!” Little Thoughts Press: Why did you choose the word(s) you chose to feature in your Stirring Words piece? Webb Smith: Topics such as the weather are extremely fun because the vocabulary can be scientific (precipitation), common (downpour), regional (plothering) or slang (gully-washer). I tried to put a bit of each in my poem (nimbus, billabong, cats and dogs).  Little Thoughts Press: How did you get started writing kid-lit and what do you find most challenging and rewarding about writing for kids? Webb Smith: As a career firefighter, writing kid-lit was a great escape. It’s been a “quiet hobby” for a long time. I love the wild imaginations that children possess and their willingness to “believe.” The most challenging part is editing and trying to comply with the unwritten rules of picture books. The most rewarding part is definitely reading with kids and watching their reactions.  Little Thoughts Press: Which kid-lit authors and books were your favorites growing up? Webb Smith: Green Eggs and Ham was the first book I could read by myself, so it will always be special. I also love There's a Nightmare in My Closet by Mercer Mayer and Matt's Mitt (Marilyn Sachs) about a boy and his baseball glove.  Little Thoughts Press: And what about today? Any kid-lit writers you love and want to shout out? Webb Smith: I really enjoy Jon Klassen’s work. Sam and Dave Dig a Hole , This is Not My Hat and The Skull are fantastic. Little Thoughts Press: What advice would you give to young writers? Webb Smith: Writing is often solitary. The rest of your life shouldn’t be. Make lots and lots of friends from all walks of life. Play games, hold conversations, appreciate differences, go on adventures, find joy in the small things, and never, ever stop learning. That way, you’ll have plenty to write about. Little Thoughts Press: Is there anything else you wish I had asked? Any upcoming projects, publications, or other news you'd like to share? Webb Smith: I truly appreciate the opportunity to be a part of Little Thoughts Press . Magazines like this are incredibly valuable. I have a dozen manuscripts that I’m currently shopping around. I’m also working on a second book of silly poems that I hope to self-publish in 2026. My first book of poems ( Spoiled Endings: Tales of Mishap and Misfortune ) is still available on Amazon or my website ( www.webbsmithbooks.com ). And, of course, I plan to send more submissions to Little Thoughts !

Little Thoughts Press Issue Eleven: Stirring Words featuring the poem and illustration "Hurkle-durkle" by Shaunessy Sinnett. Shaunessy Sinnett grew up in Goderich, Canada. She used to tell stories as a professional dancer in Riverdance until she discovered that telling stories on paper hurt her feet a lot less. Now, Shaunessy enjoys writing sweet, spooky, and humorous stories for young readers. She is a member of SCBWI, 12x12, and was selected this spring as a mentee in the PB Rising Stars program. Over the past year, Shaunessy was honored to be recognized in writing competitions like 50 Precious Words, the Halloweensie Contest, the KidLit Chuckle Challenge, and the Valentiny Contest. She now lives in Los Angeles with her husband where she enjoys writing, reading, dancing, and hiking. Little Thoughts Press: Part of the charm of "Hurkle-durkle" is its use of repetition in every stanza. Did you know that you wanted to use repetition at the outset, or did you come to this idea during the process of drafting the poem?  Shaunessy Sinett: I did not originally plan for the word “hurkle-durkle” to repeat. I often let the rhythm lead when I write. In this instance, the repetition just fell into place.   Little Thoughts Press: One of the things that appealed to us about "Hurkle-durkle " is that it has no extra padding: every word plays an important role in the poem. In your revision process, how do you decide whether certain words should stay in a poem or be cut? What advice can you offer young writers for how to approach this kind of decision-making in their own writing?  Shaunessy Sinett: I am merciless when it comes to cutting words out! I try to imagine the poem like a little play the reader performs. When I’m drafting, I aim to make it as easy as possible for the reader to succeed in delivering every stressed and unstressed syllable. If I’m even a little in doubt about how a phrase will be read or interpreted, it’s GONEZO. Hehe!  For younger writers, I would encourage them to read the story or poem aloud and listen for any inconsistencies in the metre. Do not be afraid to search for a word or phrase that brings more clarity, a better image, or a better sound! Another idea is to keep a “graveyard” at the bottom of the page for lines or sections that you’ve cut. You may need to resurrect something! Little Thoughts Press: Our Stirring Words issue is all about odd, interesting, or inspiring words and phrases. What is your favorite word right now? Why do you love it? Shaunessy Sinett: I loved this issue for its many interesting words! I learned so much! Right now, I am fascinated by words that don’t seem to have an English equivalent; we can learn so much from other languages. I recently learned the Japanese word “tsundoku” which means buying books and letting them pile up unread. I, of course, would know nothing about this. (Pay no attention to that stack of unread books over there.)  Little Thoughts Press: Why did you choose the word(s) you chose to feature in your Stirring Words piece? Shaunessy Sinett: The word hurkle-durkle has it all: Rhyme! Rhythm! It’s fun to say aloud! It’s a little silly! The Scots really made a winner when they thought of hurkle-durkle, hehe! I also loved its meaning: spending a little longer in bed than you ought to. It reminded me of the final page in Great Day for Up! by Dr. Seuss. It’s a cosy scene of a little boy in his bed. The rest of the book features everyone and everything else in the world getting UP! This was my inspiration for both the poem and illustration.  Little Thoughts Press: How did you get started writing kid-lit and what do you find most challenging and rewarding about writing for kids? Shaunessy Sinett: I have always been interested in children’s literature, but I did not start studying it in college until the pandemic! I come from a dance/performing arts background, so I was surprised to find that writing picture books specifically felt like theatre on the page.  The most challenging element of writing for kids? For me, it’s plotting. This is less of a concern with poetry, thank goodness, but sometimes I will draft a manuscript based on just “vibes.” No plot in sight. I need to stop doing this. * internal screaming *  The most rewarding thing about writing for young people is bringing some sort of joy. It’s tough to compete with technology, but if something I write can entertain a reader, or bring a smile, or teach them something? That’s about as good as it gets.  Little Thoughts Press: Which kid-lit authors and books were your favorites growing up? Shaunessy Sinett: We had a LOT of Seuss in my family home! Of course I liked the aforementioned Great Day for Up! , but I also remember loving There's a Wocket in My Pocket . And like all children, I enjoyed torturing my parents by asking them to read Fox in Socks no less than twice a week.  Little Thoughts Press: And what about today? Any kid-lit writers you love and want to shout out? Shaunessy Sinett: Oh my goodness, there are so many! And I’m still discovering some of the greats! I have a particular soft spot for my fellow Canadian writers and right now I’m loving Casey Lyall’s work! I think she is a genius. Little Thoughts Press: What advice would you give to young writers? Shaunessy Sinett: Read! I’m sure young writers hear this a lot. I would also encourage young writers to pay attention to other forms of art: visual art, theatre, film, dance, etc. It’s all storytelling and we can learn from it!  Little Thoughts Press: Is there anything else you wish I had asked? Any upcoming projects, publications, or other news you'd like to share? Shaunessy Sinett: It was a pleasure to answer these questions, Claire! I just finished a wonderful mentorship program called PB Rising Stars. I felt so fortunate to be selected as one of 28 mentees from over 2400 applicants. My mentor, Shana Keller, and the program directors taught me SO MUCH. Soon, I will be bravely entering the querying trenches in search of an agent. I am excited to use my new skills to create, create, create! No more hurkle-durkling: I have work to do!