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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!

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 trees, or escaping into new fantasy worlds with a good book and a cup of tea. See more of her work at stephaniebuosi.com  and at @ stephaniebuosi.com on BlueSky and @stebuosi_ on Instagram. Little Thoughts Press: Your illustration A Murklin Sonata  is such a dreamy scene. All of the onlookers seem so peaceful and entranced by this nighttime serenade and we too are able to imagine the sounds of the music that they are hearing. What advice would you offer to young artists and illustrators for how to create a sense of peace and pleasure in their artwork? Stephanie Buosi: I think colour is a huge factor in creating peace and pleasure in your artwork. Colour has its own language, and it’s fascinating once you dig into it a little. Want to build excitement? Reds and yellows are your friends! Peace and calm? Blues and greens are the way to go. The best advice, and what helped me a lot, is to do colour studies. Create an outline of your work. Then try colouring it in two different ways, with two different colour palettes. It’s easiest to do this digitally, but you can definitely practice with paper, markers, paints, whatever you have! And be sloppy! At this stage you are testing and experimenting, and it’s always best to be messy! Little Thoughts Press: Was there a particular song you had in mind when creating this piece and what did you do to try to capture the feeling of that song in this image? Stephanie Buosi: Ooo this is a great question! So I created this piece while my daughter was only a few months old and she would take her naps on my lap. I’d often play lo-fi music to help her sleep, and I found this one playlist that was all about Nintendo and the Legend of Zelda. The song that we’d  listen to on repeat was “Zelda’s Lullaby” by Mipsick. It’s a very peaceful, calming song.  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? Stephanie Buosi: I love the word querencia  which is Spanish and means “a place from which one’s strength is drawn, where one feels at home; the place where you are your most authentic self.”  I think as artists we are constantly creating from a place inside ourselves, and as a visual artist I am always searching for my “style.” I love this word when you connect it to your art practice because it helps remind me to try and be authentic, to create from an honest place that feels like me. Does that make sense? Little Thoughts Press: Why did you choose the word(s) you chose to feature in your Stirring Words piece? Stephanie Buosi: When I first saw the word Murklin, it made me giggle a little. What a fun word to say! Then when I read the definition, I immediately thought of night critters. We live in an older neighbourhood in Toronto, and there are many, beautiful, hundred-year old trees that support a lot of animal life and biodiversity. When we would go on evening walks we would often catch sight of raccoon families, possums, skunks, cats, rabbits. The dark is so full of animal life, and it’s a little magical when you can spot a critter at night. Little Thoughts Press: What initially brought you into the world of kidlit and what do you find most challenging and rewarding about making art that will appeal to children? Stephanie Buosi: The world of kidlit can encompass so much creativity, and variation of style, it’s so amazing to me! Every time I browse my local library or bookstore’s children’s book section I discover a new artist or illustration style that I fall in love with. So I was naturally drawn to the world of kidlit as an artist. Growing up, I was also a huge reader, but my little  sister wasn’t and that really bothered me. I think I just wanted her to feel that excitement that a great book can inspire. So she wouldn’t read novels or chapter books, but she loved picture books and comic books. When I grew a bit older, I realized that kidlit and illustrated stories have a super power—they encourage reading! So I suppose the most rewarding part of making art for kids is making reading really fun for kids who don’t really like to read. Because reading is amazing and can change your life in so many good ways. Okay, challenges. The many many many many hours of practice to get to where I am today. I am good at drawing, but I wasn’t always! Many people will say to me “I wish I was talented like you and could draw,” but you know what? I’m not talented! I just practiced. A lot. And it can be hard to practice and keep going when you don’t think you are very good at art. I am always happy to show you my drawings from 10 years ago… oh man they were bad. Actually, if you have the time, scroll very very very far back on my instagram page and you’ll see some pretty bad drawings! And I am still practicing! I still sometimes think my art is bad, but you just have to keep going.  Little Thoughts Press: I have asked these questions of the young artists we’ve featured on our blog and I am curious to know your answers as well: What is your favorite thing to draw and how does creating art make you feel?  Stephanie Buosi: Bird. Hands down. When I doodle, it always seems to be birds in fun hats.  Creating art is such an integral part of myself I couldn’t imagine myself never not creating! When I haven’t been able to pick up my pencil in a couple days, because of other life priorities, I feel incomplete and anxious. Creating art is my happy place, and I could draw for hours (and have). Little Thoughts Press: Which kid-lit authors, illustrators and books were your favorites growing up? Stephanie Buosi: The Chronicles of Narnia were a big favourite. Especially when I was sick. It was so easy to slip into this amazingly magical world of talking trees and animals, and the adventures were always so fun. I also loved the Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket (Daniel Handler) as well as Brett L. Helquist who illustrated all the covers. I was also super into Pony Pals and Saddle Club . For illustrators, I loved Phoebe Gilman ( The Balloon Tree , Something From Nothing ). Growing up, I was also a huge reader of Archie comics! I think those comics probably influenced quite a bit of my more cartoony-style of work.  Little Thoughts Press: What advice would you give to young artists? Stephanie Buosi: Practice. I really can’t stress how important it is to practice. And doodle! Because it’s fun and you are practicing while you doodle so you’re doing both at once! I love to doodle while watching movies at night with my family. Or when I’m chatting on the phone with a friend. Sometimes I even doodle outside in the park!  I would also recommend grabbing a dollar store sketch and doodling in that. Because when you have a fancy-smancy sketchbook you don’t always want to get messy in it, or you feel your drawings have to be really good and there’s a pressure there. But with a dollar-store sketchbook? I always feel I can draw really ugly doodles in there and have a blast doing 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? Stephanie Buosi: I’m currently (slowly) working on a detective hummingbird book for early readers! It’s still in its early stages of character development, but I’m very excited to start creating some fun misadventures for Detective Zip!

Thank you to everyone who participated in this year's “From Trash to Treasure” Kidlit Poetry Contest! After reading through the many humorous, lyrical, wonderfully creative entries we received, here's what our guest judge, Tracie Renee, had to say: Thank you for entrusting me with your revised lines! Each one was truly a treasure that stood out in its own way, so be sure to check the comments . I’ve posted a personal response for each entry because daring to show up and keep writing is something that deserves to be celebrated.     I’ll be honest: it wasn’t easy to pick a winner here, nor was it easy to pick the honorable mentions. Don’t be discouraged if you don’t see your name here. At one point, picking a winner seemed entirely impossible so I (briefly) gave up and commemorated the feeling with a limerick, since that form was trending in the submissions:    There once was a poet who trudged  home from her day job to judge  a contest so fine  each poem was divine—  so she gave up and just ate some fudge.    My limerick is...not great. Definitely more trash than treasure, and not nearly even as good as the almond butter I had to pretend was fudge because that’s all we actually had in the kitchen. But eventually, after re-reading all the submissions countless times, I found that I kept coming back to these three. Congrats, poets! May you keep finding treasure in your trash.  We are thrilled to announce our WINNER... artwork by Little Thoughts Press cover artist, Rachael Harbert ERIC PETERSON SUPPER GROSS Remember when Grandmama yelled?   Her dentures were quickly expelled;  They bounced off her shoe,  And plopped in the stew,  Which might be why it then smelled.   Tracie says: Congratulations, Eric! I’m really glad that I wasn’t at this particular dinner with Grandmama. But at the same time, this is delightfully limerick-ed, completely hilarious, and the backstory is every bit as fun as the poem itself AND the fresh direction that your revision gave to the excised line. Tooth-fully terrific, with a bold bite of humor.  And please join us in congratulating our two HONORABLE MENTIONS... CHARLOTTE SHEER THE MIMIC I don't understand their words.  They're smarter than most other birds.  Crows can mimic a voice  or caw as their choice  like flying ventriloquist nerds!  Tracie says: Congratulations, Charlotte! This poem ends with a fun and unexpected image and brings together unique words in exciting ways while also teaching the reader a bit about crows. Absolutely mag(pie)nificent!  MOE PHILLIPS   The rainstorm left diamond droplets  on spider webs along the path today.  Tiny chandeliers clung to low branches.  My footsteps set them to tinkling.  Tracie says: Congratulations, Moe! These lines use lucid imagery to awaken the readers’ senses and distill the quiet that so perfectly captures the calm of the rained-on world—what a breathtaking slice-of-life scene.  Eight-year-old Ben represented young readers by selecting his favorite. The winner of our KID CHOICE is... PAM ADAMS Stealthily, carefully, quietly sneaking— The cunning black cat eyes the prey he's been seeking. In ambush position, he's poised, at the ready. He leaps off his haunches! His focus is steady! "Squeak" says the little grey rubber toy teddy~ Ben says: You can picture this cat being super serious and stalking real prey, so the twist in the ending is especially funny. Plus, I love cats. Thank you to all of the poets who participated this year! We loved seeing the treasures you created and we hope you'll join in when we do this again next year! In the meantime, Issue 12: Better Together launches on December 15th and is currently available for pre-order! A celebration of community and collective action, Better Together is a wonderfully uplifting way to end a year that has been full of difficulty and heartache for so many. Please consider ordering a copy and sharing this inspiring issue with a young reader in your life. Submissions for Issue 13: Head, Shoulders, Spleen & Nose open this Thursday, November 20th. Read all about this theme and check out our submission guidelines . Congratulations again to all of our winning poets! Eric, please reach out to Claire to claim your prize!

It's time again for our annual From Trash to Treasure Kidlit Poetry Contest! November 13th - 15th This year, we are excited to welcome as a special guest judge 2024's From Trash to Treasure winner, Tracie Renee! artwork by Little Thoughts Press cover artist, Rachael Taylor Rather than throw out our darlings, what if we remade them? Take a discarded darling and make something new! Send us a lyrical haiku, funny limerick, inspiring quintains, creative free verse, or whatever your imagination dreams up. What: Take a discarded-but-loved line from one of your kidlit pieces and use it as a starting point for a poem. Be it fiction or nonfiction, funny or a little dark, quirky or inspirational—whatever direction you go, the work should be appropriate for kids 12 and younger. LGTBQT+ and diverse themes are welcome. The first line of your new poem must be a line that you previously cut from a different piece. We're working on the honor system here! Please do not submit a poem that doesn't include a previously discarded line. Who: Agented, pre-agented, published, pre-published, kids and writers of all ages—any and all kidlit creatives are welcome to enter! When: The contest submission period is from November 13th - 15th . A winner, two honorable mentions and a kid's choice winner (selected by our EIC's 8-year-old) will be announced here, on the Little Thoughts Press blog, and on our social media sites on Tuesday, November 18th! Selected poems will be featured on the blog and the winner will receive a free copy of their choice of one our magazine issues . Short list will be selected by Little Thoughts Press editor, Claire, and guest judge, Tracie Renee! Tracie will choose our 1st place finisher! How to enter: Post your entry as a comment on this post anytime between November 13th and November 15th. Comments will be closed on this post except for during the contest window. Please include your name in your comment! Details: There is no word limit, BUT there is a maximum length of five lines per piece. 1 entry per kidlit creator. Feel free to include a sentence or two about the reason this is a “darling” and the inspiration behind the reimagining of it. Grab your copy of our Revision Raccoon participant badge and help spread the word by sharing #trashtotreasure25 on your socials! We can't wait to see how you turn your trash into shiny new treasures! Need some inspiration? Check out last year's entries and winners !

Little Thoughts Press Issue Eleven: Stirring Words with a sneak peek of the story "Bocha Bocha Brothers" by Shawna Cain. Shawna Cain writes with a mission to bring lighthearted fun to both kids and their grown ups. Before writing for children, she spent over a decade working in social justice and corporate responsibility within food systems. She has a Master’s Degree in Sustainable Systems, and was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Lesotho, Southern Africa. She currently lives in Oregon with her two toddlers, husband and terrier. She loves messy, muddy nature play and the bocha bocha bathtime that follows. Little Thoughts Press: Bocha bocha is a perfect word for a children’s story. Have your husband and his family introduced your children to other Japanese words that have become part of your family’s vocabulary? Shawna Cain: My husband’s family has brought many Japanese words into our day-to-day life. One we have been saying a lot lately is “Abunai!” (pronounced ah-boo-nah-ee, with the emphasis on the first syllable "ah"). It means “dangerous,” but I’m starting to think my 2-year-old thinks it means “Exciting!” Little Thoughts Press: The bathtime challenges associated with the “stinging” shampoo in "Bocha Bocha Brothers" are ones that many families will be able to relate to. How much of an influence do your experiences with your children have on the types of stories you write?   Shawna Cain: My young children give me endless ideas for picture books. The scene in BOCHA BOCHA BROTHERS where Kenji is resistant to washing his hair was inspired by my eldest son. He once had the misfortune of experiencing shampoo in his eyes with adult shampoo, and held a grudge against all shampoos, even “tear-free,” for ages. After many weeks of trying to come up with a suitable solution for him, he eventually found his own.  Little Thoughts Press:   For young writers who want to try their hand at writing short stories, what do you think are some of the key ingredients that make a good story? Shawna Cain: You know best what kids want to read. Start there. Then, make your story focus on a main character—your story’s hero, and follow them through the journey of overcoming a problem. A good story needs growth. A surprise ending is always a great bonus! 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? Shawna Cain: I was a Peace Corps volunteer in Lesotho, Southern Africa where they speak Sesotho (pronounced Se-SOO-TOO). Some words have this wonderfully fun “click” sound you make by popping your tongue on the roof of your mouth. My host family taught me to click like a local, and I just loved it. Why shouldn’t language be fun?!  My favorite word in Sesotho is “senqanqane,” wherein both “qa” sounds are a hard click. Try it:  SEN-click-on-click-on-EE. It’s a riddle for your tongue! It means frog.  Little Thoughts Press: How did you get started writing kid-lit and what do you find most challenging and rewarding about writing for kids? Shawna Cain: I began writing kid-lit when my eldest son was 2 and became interested in picture books. I was impressed by the emotional depth of many picture books. In less than 500 words they could contain whole universes. What a challenge for a writer!  I also appreciate that kid-lit has to reach two audiences: both a child, generally aged 4-8, as well as an adult. All these elements make it like a puzzle to write.  I’ve been a writer of other genres for most of my life, but once I found picture books, there was no going back. Picture books are my happy place.  Little Thoughts Press: Which kid-lit authors and books were your favorites growing up? Shawna Cain: Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein for its humorous poetry and mischievousness.  Adventures of Winnie the Pooh by A.A. Milne for its cast of lovable characters and story of friendship.  Little Thoughts Press: And what about today? Any kid-lit writers you love and want to shout out? Shawna Cain: Some recent favorite fiction include: MIXED RICE: A MULTICULTURAL TALE OF FOOD, FEELINGS, AND FINDING HOME TOGETHER by Sophie Dipti Sarkar for its tale of managing family conflict, mixed cultural ancestry, and introduction to mindfulness. BOOKIE AND COOKIE by Blanca Gomez for its creative interactivity between pages and its message of compromise in friendship.  LEIF AND THE FALL by Allison Sweet Grant and Adam Grant is a new seasonal favorite for its message of learning by failing (i.e. experimentation). It’s the perfect kid’s version of what in business school we called, “fail fast.” Some recent nonfiction include: ONE DAY THIS TREE WILL FALL by Leslie Barnard Booth for its beautiful imagery and message of growth, death, and rebirth. Little Thoughts Press: What advice would you give to young writers? Shawna Cain: Write what stirs you. What makes your heart jump. What you see that no one else does.  Write from your heart.  Then, hone your craft. Learn about storytelling by taking notes on your favorite stories. Get advice (“critiques”) from trusted mentors, but always follow your own intuition to keep the parts of your story you feel are important.  Also, writing doesn’t have to be done in a silo. My picture book writing group keeps me accountable, asks hard questions and pushes me to be a better writer. Gather some friends who like to write and make space and time to be together while you write. Share your work with one another, and encourage each other to submit your work to magazines like Little Thoughts .  Little Thoughts Press: Is there anything else you wish I had asked? Any upcoming projects, publications, or other news you'd like to share? Shawna Cain: I have several seeds I’m planting that I hope to blossom in good time. Until then, you can follow me @Shawna_Cain_Books