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A photograph of Little Thoughts Press Issue One: Magical Winter with a sneak peek of the story "The Sugar Plum Something" by Luree Scott. Luree Scott is a writer and performer from San Diego, CA. She received a BA in Theatre Arts and English from the University of San Diego and is currently an MFA candidate in UCR Palm Desert's Low Residency MFA Program for Creative Writing, where she studies fiction and playwriting. Her previous works can be read in The Alcala Review and Poets' Choice. Luree’s story, “The Sugar Plum Something,” is part of Little Thoughts Press Issue One: Magical Winter. Little Thoughts Press: Your story, "The Sugar Plum Something" deals with complex themes about family and place through the connection between a child and a magical creature she discovers while shopping for a Christmas tree. Can you talk a bit about how this story developed? What was your initial inspiration? And what message do you hope young readers will take away from this story? Luree Scott: The initial idea for this story came about not long after my mother and I went Christmas tree shopping during the pandemic. It was back in 2020, so it was the first year where traditions were being challenged because of health risks and overall exhaustion, and that trip to the neighborhood Michael’s for decorations was overwhelming to say the least. My mother had decided to "downsize" our tree. The big green one we put up every year wasn't going to be taken out. Instead, we were picking out a lighter tree (both in weight and color). It was pencil thin, covered in white frost (not very green at all), and just didn't look like Christmas to me. I tried to look cheerful and excited, and in some ways I was because we still got to decorate, but that change struck me at my core. I started asking myself questions like: Why does our old tree mean so much to me? Why doesn't this feel like Christmas anymore? What am I missing? So then I started writing "The Sugarplum Something" to answer those questions; to find a deeper meaning within that small, craft store experience. And to make a little more holiday cheer for myself in the process. Through the writing of that story, I reminded myself that love and family are the things that make Christmas feel right, and that anyone can be that family for you. It doesn't have to be traditional to be good. It's the love that's the good part. That's what I'd like readers to take away from it. Little Thoughts Press: You have a background in theater and are currently studying both fiction and playwriting. In what ways does your performance background inform your writing? Are there similarities to how you approach your fiction and playwriting? What do you think are the biggest differences between these forms of writing? Luree Scott: What my theater experience has done for me in terms of writing is allowed me to fully embody characters. To become them and understand them, even if they are wildly different or opposite to who I am as a person. I know for a fact that has helped me create unique characters in my prose, poetry, and stage plays. It's been a great help with forming dialogue too. People often say things in their own special way. The way my mother talks is completely different from the mail lady, whose voice is completely different from the manager of the Starbucks down the road, and so on. The Wicked Witch of the West has different words and ideals than Mary Poppins (and I felt that very physically and emotionally when I played these characters on stage). Fiction and playwriting are also both very character driven. Without a main character or characters who the audience is connected to, there's not much of a story to experience. But here's the main difference I've found: In fiction, you get to describe the setting, the thoughts and feelings of the characters, and the actions to the very finest detail. In playwriting, as we've studied in my MFA program, most of what you can use is dialogue. You get a little bit of time to describe action and setting, but you're mostly focused on what your characters say. Writing in both mediums has helped me learn how action and dialogue can work together; how much or how little can be used to create different tones and plotlines. I definitely recommend writing in multiple forms and genres (especially the ones that seem the hardest for you), because that allows you to gain techniques that help all aspects of your writing. Little Thoughts Press: What initially drew you to writing kid lit and what do you find most challenging and rewarding about writing for a young audience? Luree Scott: This is a very interesting question for me, because I don't usually write with an audience in mind. I just write the story and trust that the audience for it will find it someday. And "The Sugar Plum Something" did find its way eventually, but in an even more fantastic way. I originally sent this to another magazine, where you, Claire, were a reader who read various submissions. I wasn't accepted into that magazine, but you told them to mention the submissions for Little Thoughts Press as a potential home for my story. So, I submitted it again to you this time, and my story found its audience in kid lit in a way I had never expected, which is in itself a true kind of magic! I feel this is important to mention for the writers who are just starting out. This experience let me know that rejection is not the end of the world, and even if some readers don't understand your story, or have a place for it yet, there is always someone out there who will. What was challenging about writing for a young audience was how I used language. I often write with long sentences and descriptions. I can't help it sometimes. I’ve got a lot to say! So going back to make it more accessible for younger audiences involved a lot of revision, cutting, rearranging here and there, and finding ways to rephrase some ideas so they were simpler. But I loved it! Getting that awesome feedback about where to trim up my story helped me realize that I could still accomplish quite a lot with fewer words. The rewards for writing for a younger audience are many, but I think my favorite is that it can inspire their imagination, and encourage them to see the world in different, even impossible ways. Reading when I was young inspired me to become a writer myself and make up my own stories. Little Thoughts Press: Which kid lit authors and books were your favorites growing up? Luree Scott: I had so many authors and books when I was young that truly ignited my passion for a good story. Some of my favorites are The Chronicles of Narnia series by C.S. Lewis, Coraline by Neil Gaiman, the Avalon: Web of Magic series by Rachel Roberts, and Dragon Slippers by Jessica Day George. Little Thoughts Press: What is your favorite thing about winter? Luree Scott: That's so tough! The long sweaters and blankets, and hot tea, and Christmas movies are all so much fun and comforting. But I have to say, I really do love wrapping and gifting presents. It feels like making little reminders for everyone in your life of how much they mean to you. The smiles and laughter when you exchange them can't be beat. And you get some reminders yourself of how much you mean to others in return. Yeah, gift giving is pretty special. Little Thoughts Press: What advice would you give to young writers? Luree Scott: To all the young writers out there, I give you permission to write what you want to write, not what other people want you to write. You may look at your story and think it's too silly, too weird, too fantastical, too realistic, too anything. It's not. Like I've said before in this interview, there is going to be someone out there that loves your story and believes in it, just like there are people who love and believe in you. Take it from someone who has a published story about a tree-elf-gremlin-creature in a fake Christmas tree. No story is off limits. What matters is that it makes you happy and means something special to you. Little Thoughts Press: Is there anything else you wish I had asked? Any upcoming projects, publications, or other news you'd like to share? Luree Scott: These questions were so thoughtful and well said. I can't possibly think of another that could have been asked. Thank you for the opportunity to talk about my work and process! I'm just back in school now and hope to graduate from UCR Palm Desert's Low Residency MFA program in the Fall of 2022! I also usually share updates on my publications on Twitter when they come out, so if anyone is interested, I'm over there at @luree_s.

A photograph of Little Thoughts Press Issue One: Magical Winter with a sneak peek of the story "Snow Ballet" by Sheila Schmotzer. Sheila Schmotzer is a former dance studio owner and has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Dance. Currently, she works as a flight attendant with a major US airline. She resides in South Carolina and is based out of Orlando, Florida. Sheila is a member of the World Animal Foundation. She enjoys volunteering at her local wildlife refuge center and traveling. An IMDb member, Sheila has appeared in Netflix’s The Do Over, as well as in the feature films Magic Mike XXL and Baywatch. Sheila’s story, “The Snow Ballet,” is part of Little Thoughts Press Issue One: Magical Winter. Little Thoughts Press: You are a former dancer and dance instructor, and this background is on full display in your story, "The Snow Ballet." I think of both dance/movement and writing as forms of creative expression. What similarities have you found between these modes of expression, and how does your dance background inform your writing and your approach to storytelling? Sheila Schmotzer: You are right, they are very similar expressions. I loved teaching ballet and I loved making up dances. Choreography is setting every move up to where it fits with the music, feels good, paints a visual picture onstage, and moves the audience in some way. Writing is exactly the same. Every word, phrase, and line must be sequenced in the best way possible to engage the reader. To me, writing is the choreography of words. Little Thoughts Press: What initially drew you to writing kid lit and what do you find most challenging and rewarding about writing for a young audience? Sheila Schmotzer: Around 5 years ago, I changed careers and went from owning a dance studio to becoming a flight attendant. So I went from the nonstop creativity of choreography, music editing, designing costumes and websites, and putting together recitals… to a new nonstop life revolving around a company schedule, commuting across the country to go to work, weather, following protocols, learning every part of a plane, hustling through airports, and unpredictable rest/sleep stages. My creative side was ready to explode. I found writing (especially on red-eyes) to be engrossing and a FUN way to let it out. Little Thoughts Press: Which kid lit authors and books were your favorites growing up? Sheila Schmotzer: P. D. Eastman Little Thoughts Press: And what about today? Any kid lit writers you love and want to shout-out? Sheila Schmotzer: I wish I could write like Mo Willems. His simple style gives his audience humor and impact. His stories get away with absurd and funny things while in reality, giving kids little tools to deal with situations without them knowing it. Little Thoughts Press: What is your favorite thing about winter? Sheila Schmotzer: SNOW. I have an interesting story from the moment I knew I must write a picture book. It was in the snow outside an airport at 2 in the morning. The temperature was 8 degrees and snow completely covered the sidewalk. It was then I spied a tiny little mouse, scurrying about in the thick heaps of snow. I was totally fascinated and intrigued by this little creature and his plight. A year and a half later, driving into the same lot, I mentioned the little mouse and someone said to me that he sneaks into the doors and hides in a vending machine. That’s when I knew I had my first story. That magical meeting with that little mouse in the snow is what inspired me to become a writer. Little Thoughts Press: What advice would you give to young writers? Sheila Schmotzer: Surround yourself with people that you can bounce ideas off of frequently. Enjoy the ride. You can follow Sheila’s work on Twitter, Instagram, or on her website.

The theme for our next issue is New Beginnings. Whether it's the start of a new year, welcoming a new sibling, or making a new friend, we are looking for writing and artwork that captures the experience of a new beginning. We are especially interested in pieces that depict both the difficulty and joy of starting something new. This theme was inspired by my own new beginnings, both an upcoming one as my family prepares to welcome a new baby this spring, and many old ones, having moved multiple times during my childhood and repeatedly finding myself as the new kid in school. Those childhood moving experiences also inspired my story, "My New House," which appears in my self-published collection Little Thoughts: Stories & Poems, which released a year ago this week. Little Thoughts was a collaboration with illustrator Rachael Harbert, who now provides the cover art for all of our issues of Little Thoughts Press. Working with Rachael to turn my collection of stories and poems into a published book is part of what inspired me to launch Little Thoughts Press. We are coming up on the birthday of the 1st issue of Little Thoughts Press, Magical Winter. Creating this magazine has been a source of tremendous joy for me over the past year. I am so thankful to everyone who has trusted me with their words and art. It is truly an honor to be able to share the work of our incredible contributors with young readers. And thank you to everyone who has purchased, read, or shared a copy of Little Thoughts Press this year. In celebration of our latest theme, I am sharing my story, "My New House," in full below. I am also offering free pdf downloads of my collection, Little Thoughts: Stories & Poems, for a limited time. You can download and read the full collection at no cost until December 15th (aka the last day to submit work to our New Beginnings issue!). If you would like to make a small donation for the download, first, thank you! and second, all donations will be used toward the cost of producing our New Beginnings issue. Thank you for supporting Little Thoughts Press. I am looking forward to another year of celebrating and sharing kid-lit! Happy Reading, Claire MY NEW HOUSE My old house had a crack in the ceiling above my bed. It looked like a smile. Or a frown, depending on where I placed my pillow. There was an attic with pull-down stairs. And a closet with a small secret cubby where I stored my treasures. My old house had deep windowsills where I’d line up my stuffed animals so they could watch me play. There was a perfect spot on the wall for my drawing of a horse jumping over a porcupine. And there was a tree in the backyard with thick, twisty branches. I could climb all the way to the top. By the front door, we kept a basket to store shoes, but sometimes I forgot to put mine in there. The basket is in my new house now, but I still sometimes leave my shoes on the floor. My new house has a different smell. It has different nighttime sounds and different morning light. I don’t know where to hide my treasures, or where to set my stuffed animals. I don’t feel like playing very much these days. There are no tall, twisty trees to climb. But there is a raspberry bush along the fence line. I like to squish the berries between my fingers and watch the red juice trickle down my palm. I like to pull them from the bush and pop them straight into my mouth, sun-warmed and sweet. I like to fill a whole bowl with berries and carry it up to my new room. I lie down on my bed and eat the berries one at a time while staring up at my ceiling. There is a crack in the ceiling above my bed that looks like an M. Or a W, depending on where I place my pillow. Illustration by Rachael Harbert A child sitting in bed holding a giant bowl of raspberries.

photograph of autumn leaves, via Wix Media The heat begins to fade as autumn draws near. Mother nature’s cool breath will soon be here. Colorful leaves create rainbow trees before they fall to dance like fairies at the wind’s command. Soon, carved pumpkins will greet trick-or-treaters and living rooms will flicker from the burning cedars. I believe autumn is the most wonderful season of all, don’t you? What other time of the year can you go around yelling, BOO!? Adelaide Williams is eight years old. She enjoys drawing, painting, writing, reading American Girl Doll books, and dreams of visiting Paris, France one day.

A photograph of Little Thoughts Press Issue Three: Hit the Road with a sneak peek of the poem "Our Car Broke Down Before Vacation So We Make One on the Spot" by Karen Gonzalez-Videla. A white page with black text. Karen Gonzalez-Videla is an Argentinian writer living in Florida. She writes for all ages, but enjoys writing for children the most. She’s usually hiding among the animals and plants and finds them much nicer than people. You can find her on Twitter at @Gv12Karen or on her website. Little Thoughts Press: I saw via Twitter and on your website that in addition to writing, you are a photographer. Can you talk a bit about how these two creative outlets interact for you? In what ways does photography inform/feed your writing and vice versa? Karen Gonzalez-Videla: My writing and my photography come together in a lot of ways. Perhaps the most obvious one, though, is theme. Although I write about a lot of things, readers might notice that a lot of my work is nature related. Similarly, my camera is filled with images of sandhill cranes, marsh rabbits, strange mushroom patterns, and other super cool natural things that I find during my little exploration walks. I also find that when I’m tired of writing, photography comes easily; and when I’m tired of editing photographs, the words to a poem or story flow out much better. It’s basically a balancing act. I’ve even been toying with the idea of taking some photos and writing some things to go along with them, so stay tuned for that! Little Thoughts Press: Issue 3: Hit the Road is all about travel and summer adventure. Can you tell us your favorite place you've traveled to, as well as somewhere you hope to go in the future? Karen Gonzalez-Videla: It’s hard to pick my favorite place I’ve traveled to because I honestly enjoy everywhere I go. Some of my favorite memories, though, are from exploring the Smoky Mountains with my family. I particularly remember running into a crowd of friendly elk! If you ever run into them, make sure to give them space and appreciate the moment as much as you can. As for a place I hope to visit, I would have to say Iceland. I have been obsessing over it for quite some time now and can’t wait to experience all of it: the volcanoes, the waterfalls, the culture, the cold, and most of all, the puffins (if you don’t know what these are, I suggest you look them up because they are adorable!). Little Thoughts Press: You write for both adult and youth audiences. What initially drew you to writing kid-lit and what do you find most challenging and rewarding about writing for a young audience? Karen Gonzalez-Videla: Kid-lit has always been my true love. Although I read a bit of everything, I’m typically at my happiest with a children’s or middle-grade book in hand. There’s just something so beautiful about writing with the mind of a child or a teen and remembering that we adults were once in their shoes. That in itself, and having a child connect with what I wrote, are for sure the most rewarding parts. The most challenging part, I would say, is making sure that I’m using kid-friendly language and not putting too many difficult words in there! Little Thoughts Press: Which kid-lit authors and books were your favorites growing up? Karen Gonzalez-Videla: I was (and still am) a massive Percy Jackson fan. I remember checking all the books out from the school library and basically devouring them. Rick Riordan is such a wonderfully funny writer, and I still love reading his books. Little Thoughts Press: And what about today? Any kid-lit writers you love and want to shout out? Karen Gonzalez-Videla: There are so many other kid-lit writers that I love reading. Kate DiCamillo, Jessica Townsend, and Neil Gaiman (The Graveyard Book is one of my favorite books of all time) are some of the ones that come to mind. I also very much enjoyed reading Hannah Gold’s recent debut, The Last Bear. I’m also quite the picture book lover. Some picture books that I’ve read recently and absolutely adored are Delia Ruiz’s, Roqui’s Pandero Beat, and Katy Hudson’s. Too Many Carrots. Little Thoughts Press: What advice would you give to young writers? Karen Gonzalez-Videla: Keep writing, but also take breaks. I don’t like the mentality of “you have to write every day to be a writer.” I write when I feel inspired to, and I don’t write when I’m feeling drained out. It really makes the process more enjoyable and less like a chore. Little Thoughts Press: Is there anything else you wish I had asked? Any upcoming projects, publications, or other news you'd like to share? Karen Gonzalez-Videla: I’m currently working on a middle-grade novel that is very dear to my heart. I finished writing the manuscript, and I am very proud of it. I’m enjoying the editing process quite a lot (especially thanks to my writing group’s wonderful advice). I hope I get to share it with you all one day and talk more about it, but for now, I’ll keep it slightly secret!

via Wix Media In quarantine, we were allowed to walk outside for two hours, from 4-6 P.M. My mom, my sister, and I were taking a walk when I stepped in a mud puddle. Since I didn't want to be bored on the walk, I had brought my headphones and MP3 player along. My headphones kept getting tangled and my socks were too big. I had all these quirky squirms and small problems, but my biggest problem was yet to come. It had rained earlier that day and we were expecting more. Our dog, Sandy, kept stopping, wanting to investigate small shrubs and broken pieces in the sidewalk and know what was happening all around her. Mom had just helped me fix my headphones and she asked me to hold the bag with water and the closed umbrella. I was not watching where I was going and stepped right into the middle of a giant, round mud puddle. The sidewalk pavement had been dug up or something else that it had a small hole out of nowhere. The rain probably collected mud and water in the hole. When I stepped in it my shoes and socks and even my feet sank up to my knees. My shoe filled with dirt and mud water. I was so angry yet sad. I wanted to scream but knew I couldn’t. When mom stopped to check what happened she saw that I was jaw dropped and struck dead by the drench of water and dirt in my feet. I got out and didn’t know what to do. I started crying. Mom made me look her in the eyes and calmed me down. I realized muddy feet suck but I don’t have to freak out. After that, Mom suggested I sit by the road and remove my shoes and socks before putting my dirty shoes back on. I started walking towards the road but my feet squished. So I needed to fix this. I found a spot to sit but meanwhile, a man was walking towards his car next to where I was going to sit, and since I didn't really want to sit on the road, I looked around and I spotted a big rock, big enough for me to sit on but with ants all around. Nonetheless, I went back, sat on the rock, and took off my shoes and socks then I poured water over them and said I needed something to wipe them with. Mom gave me her mask. I took it and wiped my feet. After that, I put on two plastic bags we brought in case Sandy pooped, and limped back home. When I got home, I washed off my feet and changed into my PJs. It was one of the: Easiest yet hardest Weirdest Adventurous Walks I had ever taken. That night was a blessing in disguise. Sabel Joseph-Etheridge is a fifth grader who grew up in Kuwait and recently returned to the United States. She loves to cook and always tries to work really hard and enter her assignments early. Sabel loves her parents, her sister Safyre, her dog Sandy, and books.

via Wix Media The poet’s friend did not know about nature because he lived in the dry desert. What is nature? Poet’s friend asked him in a letter one day. Nature is very beautiful. In our nature, there are flowers, snow, hills, gardens, jungles, the poet said. Wow! I want to go there too! Can I come there? When can we go to the jungle? The poet’s friend had many questions. Oh, I’ll wait for you. Please come and we can go see the nature, said the poet. Then, the next morning, he went to the poet’s house and he went to his room. But the poet was sleeping. Wake up! Wake up! But he did not wake up. Then, he said, Have you forgotten that we go to see the nature? Then, like magic, the poet woke up. He said, We will go to see the nature. Let’s eat breakfast, then we will pack our things and go. Let’s go! They started walking to the jungle. What’s this? Haaaaaa! What’s this? Shouted the poet’s friend. That was a lion. Don’t be afraid, said the poet. After walking for some time through a thick line of trees, in sun and shadows, the poet’s friend said, I want water. There is no water in this forest, the poet said. Really? I don’t believe this! Of course! That is true! Did you not bring any water? Hmmm…I think, no. How did you forget such an important thing? Look water! The poet’s friend exclaimed. You had a mirage. No! I did not have a mirage. Let’s go and drink! The poet said, Oh, I can also see there’s water over there! Let’s go! But at that spot, an animal was enjoying the water. It was a hippopotamus. They had not seen it before. The poet and his friend went near and drank some water. But the puddle was soon dry. The two friends were happy but the animal wasn’t happy, he was angry. The animal began following the two, the poet’s friend and the poet. The poet said, Look, run fast. Then it is funny, the animal did not catch the two people. Because suddenly, he felt thirsty and could not run. The two people were safe. In the end, the poet’s friend said, nature is so good, it gives air, and beautiful trees, so green everywhere. I am so happy coming here. The End Saket Pattnaik reads books, loves to travel and plays the piano.

When she was nine and living in Arkansas, Carrie read The Call of the Wild, leading to a failed attempt to turn her dachshund and beagle into sled dogs. But author Jack London did succeed in inspiring her to create stories and share them. When procrastinating from writing, you'll find Carrie collecting fun words such as "collywobbles" and "conundrum" in notebooks while doodling in the margins. Carrie’s poems, “Once A House,” “The Trash Bandit,” and “The Moth,” are part of Little Thoughts Press Issue Two: Natural Wonder. Little Thoughts Press: You used to be a professional photographer. Between light, composition, and focus, there's a lot of careful crafting taking place in photography. In what ways do you think your photography background has influenced your approach to writing? Carrie Karnes-Fannin: What a great question! I could talk all day on this topic, but I'll try to keep my answer short. LOL. Photography taught me to play with arrangements and find joy in editing. When framing a picture, you compose a line for the eye to follow, leading the viewer to see the story of each image. Rick Sammon often says, "Composition is the strongest way of seeing." The choices you make as you press the shutter—where to stand, what to include in the frame, what to leave out—are all in service of creating the best story. I've learned it's much the same in writing. We might say, "composition is the strongest way of telling." There are many ways we could write any story. But which point of view we choose and how close it will be, what we tell the reader, what we leave out—we use these choices to compose the most compelling story we can. Little Thoughts Press: Your poem, "Once A House," is a beautiful reflection on the relationship between people and the natural world. What inspired you to write this piece and what message do you hope young readers take away from it? Carrie Karnes-Fannin: Natalie Goldberg, the author of Writing Down the Bones, talks about drawing from our "compost," as it were while writing. While the initial spark was a photo of a centuries-old house (the writing prompt for a contest), this poem mainly grew from my childhood memories. As a free-range kid of the 70s and 80s, my dog and I wandered the woods frequently. We'd come across the ruins of old fallen-down houses from time to time. Even when I was a kid, I've always been fascinated by time and our place in its stream. Exploring the lonely chimneys and crumbling foundations broken apart by tree roots, I imagined who'd once lived there and the lives they'd led. In some small way, I'd love for the poem to spark a young reader's curiosity about our connections to all the lives—human and otherwise—who came before and will come after our own. Little Thoughts Press: Issue 2: Natural Wonder is all about celebrating nature. Do you have a favorite spot in nature or a place you have visited where the wonder of nature was on full display? Carrie Karnes-Fannin: A year into the pandemic, we moved to the foothills of the Appalachians in northern Georgia. Beavers, flocks of geese and ducks, more turtles and fish than you can count, and one lone Great Blue Heron live on and in the small lake at the edge of our backyard. So right now, my favorite nature spot is the view out my kitchen window. It's pretty cool. Little Thoughts Press: What initially drew you to writing kid-lit and what do you find most challenging and rewarding about writing for a young audience? Carrie Karnes-Fannin: Until four or five years ago, my writing consisted of funny posts on social media, essays about family stories, and the awkward and terrible start of a historical novel. I didn't pursue writing kid-lit until an ice storm. Trapped at home, I scrolled online, admiring pictures of my niece's new puppy. The words, "Spike the Dog-Dog was born on a cool fall day…" came and wouldn't leave. I had to get the story down to get it out of my head. After writing and creating cut-paper illustrations and having it all bound, picture books hooked me into writing kid-lit. I had no idea how hard picture books were back then, but I fell in love with the storytelling synergy between art and words. A few weeks later, I signed up for my first kid-lit writing class, led by the amazing Laurel Snyder, and I haven't stopped working on my craft since. We kid-lit creatives have the great privilege of being a part of a child's introduction to the world of stories. It's heady stuff. There's a real challenge in working to reenter a child's mindset and see from their perspective. But seeing through a kid's fresh eyes—that's also the reward. Little Thoughts Press: Which kid-lit authors and books were your favorites growing up? Carrie Karnes-Fannin: S.E. Hinton's The Outsiders, Scott Odell's Island of the Blue Dolphins, and Katherine Patterson's Jacob I Have Loved are three titles that immediately spring to mind. I read each multiple times! Looking at that list now, I see a theme of longing and searching for one's place in the world running through these stories. It's incredible how such a universal experience can feel so lonely. Thank goodness we have books to help us find the way. Little Thoughts Press: What advice would you give to young writers? Carrie Karnes-Fannin: In addition to reading widely and writing like no one's watching, my advice would be to make a lot of compost. Get out and create as many experiences as you can. Explore other people's lives and memories by asking questions and listening to the answers. Read, write, see, do—make your life's compost pile huge. Your memories may take a few years to become rich soil for imagination, but trust they will. Little Thoughts Press: Is there anything else you wish I had asked? Any upcoming projects, publications, or other news you'd like to share? Carrie Karnes-Fannin: I'm currently working on several projects. One is an early middle-grade novel influenced by the absurd humor of one of my favorite books, Douglas Adams' masterpiece The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Another is a humorous picture book about a fairytale superfan frog. Gort hops off on a quixotic quest inspired by the stories he's read. Everything goes terribly wrong in all the right ways for him. I'm not sure what sort of happy ending our froggy hero might find, but I'm having fun on the journey. Find Carrie and more of her work on Twitter, or via her website.

Life as a Tortoise I wake up on my back I hear the ducks quack Then I get up and stretch Grab my pencils I use to sketch Slowly walk outside I see the snakes slither and slide Walk for an age 'til I reach the lake I see a horse, eating cake I get out my paper and pen And start to draw a wren I see a willow tree with a hole in it With an owl, learning to knit I've almost finished my painting When it starts raining The colours start to blur and mix But I should be able to give it a fix And then, out of nowhere From out of thin air The rain turns to snow And the wind starts to blow So I turn to head home When I see a small gnome He looks at me pleading And I see he needs feeding So I bring him with me And give him some brie Then he said "thank you I was going to turn blue" So then he left, that little one And I was alone, with no one But then came along, sad but singing A little white dove, her voice sweetly ringing She said, "I saw you near the water And I liked your drawing of that little otter And can I stay here, at least for a bit My nest was destroyed, and it was in a flit" So I said yes, and she was delighted She knew a little song, so she recited And then she made a bed She rested her head I let her sleep And without making a peep I went to my bed of fog And then I slept like a log Life in a Forest The trees in the forest rustle The animals make hustle The river flows The rose bush grows The deer leap round the trees Feeling the forest breeze The fox stalks its prey Little mice come from the hay The leaves fall The parents call As the sun turns to rain Under the dirt it’s dark No sun or a small spark We come when wet Though don’t make a bet The birds fly down They destroy our town And get their share When we come for fresh air They expose us to all The worms, beetles and wood lice small Just at the beginning of life The leaves on the trees shake The branches seem to ache The flutter of small things Raindrops brought by wings The sloth, big and slow To the robin in the snow Our nests are sticks Which we need to fix The bark gets broken We make it a token When the sloth comes to play Issy Mooney is in year 8 (UK)- aged 12. She loves anything to do with Harry Potter and stories with a magical twist. She is currently enjoying the Eragon series of books by Christopher Paolini. Issy's poem, "A Christmas Fair" was featured in Little Thoughts Press Issue One: Magical Winter. Issy's artwork and her story, "The Oak Tree," can be found in Issue Two: Natural Wonder.

A photograph of Little Thoughts Press Issue Two: Natural Wonder with a sneak peek of the poem "Do Manatees Make Wishes" by Jonathan Sellars. The cover of the issue has a natural tree branch, rocks, and greenery against a pink and blue watercolor painted background. Jonathan Sellars loves rhymes and is waiting for the day someone invents a word that rhymes with his name. His poems can be found in The Caterpillar and Parakeet Magazines as well as flying high in The Dirigible Balloon. His first picture book, Polly Plum: Brave Adventurer, is available now through National Maritime Museum. Should you invent the word he’s looking for then please let him know @JSellarsLies on Twitter. Little Thoughts Press: Your poem, "Do Manatees Make Wishes?" makes me chuckle every time I read it because it reminds me of the way young kids will ask the most bizarre and probing questions. What is your method for tapping into and infusing your work with childlike wonder? In what ways does your use of rhyme contribute to that process? Jonathan Sellars: I really struggled at school when we had to study poetry. We had to write essays analysing these long, laborious poems that made absolutely no sense to me. I always came bottom of the class and made up my mind that poetry was just the worst. It took me a long time to realise that I was just driving down one lane of the great poetry highway, and that there are in fact many different lanes, home to many different types of poems. Some are very cryptic, some are very emotionally raw, and some are just there to entertain you; they rhyme, are fun to read, and only want to put a smile on your face. Those are my kind of poems. That’s all I think about now when I sit down to write poetry. How can I put a smile on the face of my younger self? If it’s not a poem they would have enjoyed then it’s not a poem I want to write. I think it also helps that I still look at the world with a childlike wonder and random thoughts, like whether manatees gaze up at the night sky to wish upon shooting stars, constantly pop into my head. I love the challenge of turning those thoughts into something tangible. Little Thoughts Press: Issue 2: Natural Wonder is all about celebrating nature. Do you have a favorite spot in nature or a place you have visited where the wonder of nature was on full display? Jonathan Sellars: Mountains. Mountains are my happy place. I always look at the blackbirds that flap around my small garden in London and think what a waste, why don’t they fly south and live in the Alps? Then they could spend every day soaring over snowy peaks, or whooshing up cliff faces, or discovering hidden valleys. But I guess they have their reasons. Like not being able to read maps. Or not liking the taste of mountain worms. It’s a shame though. Little Thoughts Press: What initially drew you to writing kid-lit and what do you find most challenging and rewarding about writing for a young audience? Jonathan Sellars: I think the best stories are those that anyone can read, child or adult. Adults always love being taken back to when they were younger, when they weren’t bound by the constraints of their adult lives. Children on the other hand love reading about the adventures that still lie ahead. Everything I write aims to cross that divide. As for challenges, I think it's important to make sure any writing for children offers a fair reflection of the world. The world isn’t all good, but it isn’t all bad either, and there’s a lot more good than bad. The best stories are able to capture that and help children realise that they have the power to enforce positive change, because they really can. Little Thoughts Press: Which kid-lit authors and books were your favorites growing up? Jonathan Sellars: In terms of poetry, it was always Michael Rosen. He made me laugh and laugh and laugh. In terms of longer stories, I’ve always been a sucker for adventures and so loved the Willard Price books growing up, although some of them haven’t aged well (I’m pretty sure in one of them they go whaling!). I was also, like most people, a big fan of Roald Dahl – I’ve made hundreds of (unsuccessful) attempts to recreate George’s Marvellous Medicine. I’ll probably stop when I get to a thousand. I'm also sure, sadly, that I went through a long period in my teenage years when I didn’t read at all. Although that now motivates me to write something that would have persuaded that sulky adolescent to sit down and give it a go. Little Thoughts Press: And what about today? Any kid-lit writers you love and want to shout out? Jonathan Sellars: I have a real obsession with Michael Morpurgo. Even though I only read him for the first time a few years ago I find it mad that he started writing for children in the 1970’s and he’s still writing for them now. He doesn’t speak down to children, or try and win them over with cheap laughs, his stories just seem to draw you in with the power of his storytelling. He’s a real hero of mine and I haven't come across a better writer. I’d also give a shout-out to The Dirigible Balloon which is a website dedicated to children’s poetry. It has a huge range of poems from poets all over the world and is a brilliant resource. Little Thoughts Press: What advice would you give to young writers? Jonathan Sellars: Writing isn’t about perfect grammar and spelling. It’s about getting an idea out of your head and onto a piece of paper. You don’t have to share it with anyone, but don’t you dare let it rot inside your brain. And don’t worry if you don’t think it’s very good. Nothing you write will be perfect the first time. But at least once it’s out there you can come back to it and make changes. Little Thoughts Press: Is there anything else you wish I had asked? Any upcoming projects, publications, or other news you'd like to share? Jonathan Sellars: I was lucky enough to have a picture book, Polly Plum: Brave Adventurer, published this year. Of course, it rhymes, and yes it’s meant to make you laugh, but hopefully it has a nice message hidden away in it as well. Why not give it a go and let me know what you think. I also post poems on Twitter (@JSellarsLies) and on Instagram (@JonathanSellarsLiesHere) if anyone is interested.

Once upon a time ago, a boy lived in Masupia. His name was Varra Sheikh. He had a friend, his name was Marra Sheikh. Varra loved to invent things on his own. He invented a rocket one day. His plan was to go to the moon and find some moon rocks to bring back. He also wanted to click some photos of the moon. The next day, Varra called his friend Marra. He told him that he wanted to go exploring, and travel in space. “How we will be going,” Marra said. Varra said, “We will go by rocket.” “Wow! But where?” Marra said. “To the moon,” Varra said. “When will we go?” Marra said. “Today is Tuesday so, we will go on Thursday,” Varra said. On Thursday, Varra and Marra met. They talked about things they’d need. Varra said everything they needed was ready like spacesuits, shoes, clothes, etc…. and the rocket. Then Marra said, “We have to reach the spot where the rocket is by car.” They went by car to that spot. In the evening, they reached the spot and looked around all the arrangements. Then, Varra showed the inside of the rocket to Marra. The rocket was ready to launch. Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one, ZERO… THE ROCKET LAUNCHED……… THEY WERE GOING TO THE MOON. Soon after lift-off, they reached near the orbit of the moon. After some time, they landed. “Wow, I am walking on the moon,” Marra said. Then Varra also began walking on the moon. He said, “Yes, Marra we are walking on the moon. Now let us pick some moon rocks”. Both started picking some moon rocks. Some minutes later, Varra said, “Finally, I have finished.” “I have also finished,” Marra said. “Now we must click some photos of the moon soil,” Varra said. Marra also clicked some photos of the earth from the moon. “Finally, I have finished,” Marra said. “I have also finished,” Varra said. “Let’s go back to earth,” Marra said. Their “ADVENTURE TO THE MOON” was complete, they said together. The rocket was again ready to launch. Ten, Nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one, ZERO… THE ROCKET LAUNCHED……… THEY WERE GOING TO EARTH. The rocket launched on Sunday, at 1:00 AM. They reached earth on Monday, at 1:03 PM. Back on earth, they went back to their homes and slept nicely. Varra woke up the next morning when his dad knocked. “Dad!” Varra showed his father the moon rocks and pictures of the moon. “Wow, my child! These are so good!” Varra’s dad said and hugged him. THE END Saket Pattanik is eight years old. He loves cars and traveling. In his spare time, he makes things from discarded items. Saket's story, "Trip to the Nature" was part of Little Thoughts Press Issue Two: Natural Wonder's bonus features.

It is as if I were a dog, sticking my head out the window. The mighty breeze bashes against my face. “When will we be there yet?” yells my sister for the 700th time. My mom responds with a hint of annoyance in her voice, “We still have 6 hours!” Ugh. I'm even starting to get mad. I just want to get to California as soon as possible. I want to feel the warm California breeze, brush against my skin. I stick my head back in the car and close the window. But two minutes later, I end up putting my head out the window again because I feel car sick. Our car begins to rumble and slow down. We come to a stop. I sit there wondering why. Soon after my mom turns around and says “I'm sorry kids but our car just died!” After waiting an hour on the side of the road, we get our car towed. After another two hours, Mom comes over and says, “It looks like we are going to have to find another way to get to California. There is a train station close by so we will see if we can catch the train." I feel wounded. I just want to get to California. Another 30 minutes go by before we get to the train station. Our train leaves in three minutes! We panic and rush onto the train just before the doors close. We find seats and I lean my head against the window. I barely move, just staring at trees rushing by. After a long two hours, the train slows to a stop. I stand up from the seat and my legs feel tingly up and down, trying to wake up. Though I am in pain, I stand up and wobble a little. My excitement levels are off the charts. I burst out of the seat and run off the train, my heart pounding in my chest. I freeze. Just standing there, creating a forever memory in my mind, feeling the California breeze rush all around my body. Finally, I'm in California. Keira Legge is 10 years old and in 5th grade. She would love to travel all over the world, but she wants to visit Mexico. That is her favorite type of food and she wants to visit and eat at as many Mexican restaurants as possible. When Keira is not writing a new story, she is playing softball. She loves pitching on her softball team. Keira's stories have previously appeared in Little Thoughts Press Issue One: Magical Winter and Little Thoughts Press Issue Two: Natural Wonder. You can read about her writing process, favorite books, and more in this past interview.