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A photograph of Little Thoughts Press Issue Seven: Fabulous Facts with a sneak peek of Brian U. Garrison's literary limericks. When Brian U. Garrison is not writing limericks, you can find him in Portland, Oregon, wishing he were writing limericks. When he is writing limericks, don’t bother him, okay? Sheesh. More online at www.bugthewriter.com. Little Thoughts Press: To quote you about you: “I have poetry, true stories, made-up stories, nonsense stories, rhyming stories, animal stories, human stories, and a bunch of ideas that are still hazy around the edges.” That is quite the range! Have you seen any common thread(s) in your work? Brian U. Garrison: Imaginative writing is where I thrive. The genres of science fiction and fantasy call to me the most. I like to be playful with what's possible, whether that's making up new words, meeting fantastic characters, or working with unbelievable technology. Of course, I also like to anchor in reality and nonfiction with my writing. Sometimes people say that science fiction is escapist. It is seen as a way to ignore the real world, but I see science nonfiction and science fiction as two perspectives that help us see the boundary between real and unreal. As I try to gain some understanding of the question, "What is life?" I think it's important to explore many angles and ideas. So maybe one of the common threads in my work is curiosity. Little Thoughts Press: Can you describe the particular kids you hope to reach with your stories? Brian U. Garrison: I am interested in a wide range of topics, so I hope my stories make it to kids who are interested in learning more. I hope each reader can walk away with something new whether it's their first time reading about Ann and Jane Taylor or whether they have written a book about Ann and Jane Taylor! I don't need everyone to love the same topics I do, but perhaps when I write about poets, dwarf planets, brains, music, ecology, or societal expectations, I hope my work inspires them to read more. Reading deeply on a topic provides expertise. Reading widely provides perspective. I hope my readers can then take knowledge and do something exciting with it out in the world. Little Thoughts Press: You recently published a collection of micropoetry, Micropoetry for Microplanets, and your poems featured in Fabulous Facts are all short limericks. What draws you to these bite-size poems and what do you think poets gain from working within the constraints of form and brevity? Brian U. Garrison: Time is precious. Why use 11 words when 10 will do? I like the challenge of saying something meaningful without squishing the reader with my steamroller of words. Writing short poetry is to accept that each reader will arrive with thoughts of their own, and each reader will take my words somewhere different. I have to accept that I don't have every answer. Little Thoughts Press:  In honor of Issue 7's theme, Fabulous Facts, tell us one fabulous fact about yourself. Brian U. Garrison: One year my friend and I created our high school's unofficial chess club. This mostly meant he and I would spend lunch in the English teacher's classroom. The Turkish exchange student joined a few times. I usually lost. Little Thoughts Press: How did you get started writing kid-lit and what do you find most challenging and rewarding about writing for kids? Brian U. Garrison: I branched into kid-lit writing while spending time in a Head Start classroom. I took an AmeriCorps job where I got to hang out and build literacy and pre-literacy skills. That's a long-winded way to say I read picture books to preschoolers. One of my favorite things about kid-lit is the artistic collaboration. Children's writing really encourages the interaction between words and visual art. To create something amazing, I am dependent on the expertise of other people. Little Thoughts Press: Which kid-lit authors and books were your favorites growing up? Brian U. Garrison: I still have the tattered Shel Silverstein poetry books that my siblings and I read over and over when we were younger. The songs from Bread and Jam for Frances still echo in my mind. I think we wore out the cassette tape of A Pocket for Corduroy. I remember my first time seeing the fold-outs of Papa Please Get the Moon for Me by Eric Carle and thinking it was the coolest thing ever. There's an alternate universe out there where I'm entirely obsessed with pop-up books because of that. Unfortunately, this is not that universe. But I do have a love for artistic collaborations and unique creations. Little Thoughts Press: And what about today? Any kid-lit writers you love and want to shout out? Brian U. Garrison: My knee-jerk reaction continues to be Amy Krouse Rosenthal. I love her books and the unique approach each one takes. Little Thoughts Press: What advice would you give to young writers? Brian U. Garrison: Enjoy school. Try to have some fun even with the things you have to do for class.

A photograph of Little Thoughts Press Issue Seven: Fabulous Facts with a sneak peek of the poem, "Supernova," by Julie Hauswirth. Julie Hauswirth lives in Tampa, Florida with her husband and two sons. A former educator, she earned a BA in English from the University of Central Florida and a MEd in Educational Leadership from Grand Canyon University. She writes picture books and poetry. Her poems have been published in The Dirigible Balloon, The Toy Press, and the Cape Cod Times. When she’s not writing, Julie can be found singing karaoke, cheering from the soccer field sidelines, or playing outside with her boys. Julie is represented by CoCo Freeman of the Linda Chester Literary Agency. Little Thoughts Press: We received a lot of astronomy-related pieces for this issue. The planets and stars seem to be having a moment, especially in children’s nonfiction. Your poem “Supernova” uses first-person and second-person points of view to create a poignant connection between an inanimate object billions of miles away and the reader. Were those choices a conscious decision? Tell us a little bit about that. Julie Hauswirth: When I began writing the poem, I knew I wanted to personify the supernova to help children connect with the idea that a star has a life cycle. Early versions of the poem only included the first-person point of view, and I added the “you” to strengthen the connection and really pull the reader into the event. As a child, I was fascinated with the big-ness of space and our place within it. I enjoyed using these two perspectives to create some distance and intimacy at the same time. Little Thoughts Press: Why do you think there is such interest in connecting kids with the science of exploring our Universe right now? Julie Hauswirth: The Universe has always united us all through the idea that we are part of something much bigger than ourselves. Kids today are witnessing many great advancements in space exploration, and I think there’s a renewed interest because of how accessible the science of exploration is becoming. Information is readily available with the click of a button and space tourism is becoming a reality. Much of the unknown is starting to come into focus, and we’re able to share that with children in ways that were just unavailable in the past. Little Thoughts Press: Your piece “The Ghost Story Contest” is the biography of a famous book’s birth. Despite the initial challenge of writing a ghost story and the book's Gothic tones, many credit Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein as the first science fiction novel of the modern age. It’s amazing how popular the story remains to this day with people of all ages. How old were you when you first read it? What about that story appeals to kids? Julie Hauswirth: I’d been familiar with the character of Frankenstein’s monster long before I read the novel. Frankenstein is practically synonymous with Halloween! The basic idea of the story checks all the boxes for kids—dark and stormy night vibes, spooky monster, mad scientist—and mainstream versions of the monster are pretty kid-friendly. But I think children, like adults, are fascinated with the idea of the monster being a creation of human experimentation… the very same concept that haunted Mary Shelley on that dark and stormy night so many years ago. I remember feeling disappointed as a child when I realized the original story was beyond my comprehension level at the time. I didn’t actually read the text until my senior year of high school, and I read it again in college when I studied Gothic literature. When I learned about the circumstances surrounding the novel’s creation, Mary Shelley became a literary hero of mine. Little Thoughts Press: What are your favorite recent sci-fi picture books or middle-grade novels? Julie Hauswirth: My favorites growing up were The Ear, The Eye, and The Arm by Nancy Farmer and The Giver by Lois Lowry… but more recent titles I love include The Barnabus Project by The Fan Brothers and the Catstronauts series by Drew Brockington. Little Thoughts Press:  In honor of Issue 7's theme, Fabulous Facts, tell us one fabulous fact about yourself. Julie Hauswirth: I am a classically trained singer! Little Thoughts Press: How did you get started writing kid-lit and what do you find most challenging and rewarding about writing for kids? Julie Hauswirth: I majored in creative writing in college, but I always focused on writing for an adult audience. It wasn’t until my youngest son was born and I left teaching to take care of him full-time that I started writing kid-lit. I would write little poems and stories for fun, and eventually, I entered Susanna Hill’s Valentiny contest and won 2nd place. After that, I found a critique group and my kid-lit journey took off. What I find most challenging is working through creative dry spells. There are times when I feel like I have zero inspiration to write anything new and all my brainstorming tricks leave me empty-handed. It’s frustrating because once I have an idea, I enjoy playing with it and seeing it take shape. So I’ve had to learn patience and fill that downtime with mentor texts, webinars, revisions, and wait for the creative well to fill back up. The most rewarding part is the community. Kid-lit creators are some of the most generous, kind, and encouraging people there are. There’s no shortage of helping hands or shoulders to cry on, and some of the people I’ve met in my writing journey have become close friends and trusted mentors. The kid-lit community is remarkable and I’ve never seen anything like it. Little Thoughts Press: Which kid-lit authors and books were your favorites growing up? Julie Hauswirth: I loved books by Kevin Henkes, especially Julius, the Baby of the World. Some other favorites were The Sign of the Seahorse by Graeme Base, The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales by Jon Scieszka, and any and all Amelia Bedelia books. As I got older, I devoured The Baby-Sitter’s Club,  Goosebumps, and pretty much anything by Roald Dahl. Little Thoughts Press: And what about today? Any kid-lit writers you love and want to shout out? Julie Hauswirth: There are so, so many. I’m a huge fan of Ame Dyckman, Jordan Scott, Valerie Bolling, Chana Stiefel, and Jack Wong. Some recent family favorites are BOOP! By Bea Birdsong and Linzie Hunter, You Go First by Ariel Bernstein and Marc Rosenthal, and A River of Dust by Jilanne Hoffmann and Eugenia Mello. Little Thoughts Press: What advice would you give to young writers? Julie Hauswirth: Find other people who can walk alongside you in your writing journey. Whether a small critique group or a large community like 12x12, surrounding yourself with other writers you can lean on and learn from is essential. Little Thoughts Press: Is there anything else you wish I had asked? Any upcoming projects, publications, or other news you'd like to share? Julie Hauswirth: I have some exciting things in the works, but I can’t talk about them just yet (wink, wink). I’ll share an update on my website soon!

A photograph of Little Thoughts Press Issue Seven: Fabulous Facts with a sneak peek of the poem, "Mighty Mosses," by Jess Burbank. Jess Burbank is a picture book author/illustrator, working primarily with traditional media every day from her art studio in Bellevue, Washington. Named a 2023 PB Party Finalist and a 2023 PB Rising Star Runner-up, Jess is a member of Storyteller Academy and SCBWI where she continues to hone both her writing and illustration skills. She enjoys nature walks admiring the many mosses of the Pacific Northwest with her corgi, playing board games with her husband, and traveling as much as possible. Find more of her work at www.jessburbank.com. Little Thoughts Press: Mighty Mosses” creates a vibrant picture of mosses and their small-but-significant lives on the forest floor, which perfectly marries with your watercolor illustration “Shadow Dwellers.” As the first art and literature that most kids encounter, picture books are kind of like mosses in the literary ecosystem, aren’t they?  What is it about picture books that call to you as a creator? What kind of stories do you hope to “plant” in kids’ minds and hearts? Jess Burbank: Picture books are definitely the mosses of the literary ecosystem! I love that analogy. Mosses prepare and nourish the ground, creating a healthy, stable ecosystem. Picture books do the same. They prepare young hearts, minds, and imaginations for full literary lives ahead. When picture books are read out loud to a child or a group of children, so many senses are activated. A memory is made that is physical, visual, audible, and can even have a particular taste or smell associated with it, depending on when or where it was read.  I love the marriage of rhythmic text that is enjoyable to read out loud with the excitement of a page turn that reveals a breathtaking full-spread image. I love that picture books become treasured objects, mementos, security blankets, conversation-starters, empathy-formers, and world-expanders. I love that picture books can be about so many subjects, feature all sorts of weird, wacky, wonderful characters, and explore so many different ideas—fact or fiction. I like to try my hand at writing and illustrating a wide range of stories, but I especially want to create stories that help children appreciate this world’s wonders. I want kids to feel small and full of awe as well as mighty and empowered to help make the world an even more wonderful place to be. Little Thoughts Press: Both writing and art allow us to transform our personal experiences and observations of the world into shared stories. As an author/illustrator, what is your advice for balancing these two forms of expression when constructing a picture book? What kinds of observations and story elements do you think are best communicated through writing, and which ones are better conveyed through artwork? Jess Burbank: I think that balance between the writing and art in a picture book is what makes them so wonderful, but is also perhaps the biggest challenge when creating them. I tend to think in words first…LOTS of words. Then I start to chisel away at them like a sculptor as I revise and try to discover what that big block of words wants to become. I also start to sketch ideas and scene. That’s when you can really start to chop words as you realize what can be shown in the images rather than in the text. Because picture book text is so spare, the illustrations need to communicate so much…and they can! You can spend a paragraph talking about how your main character feels or you can simply show their face and body and the reader immediately knows. If you aim to write only what can’t be communicated in an illustration, you end up with a successful balance. I truly admire when art not only beautifully illustrates the text, but when it reveals something new, maybe humorous, or illuminates a deeper meaning that you wouldn’t experience or know at all by just reading the text…and vice versa! Little Thoughts Press:  In honor of Issue 7's theme, Fabulous Facts, tell us one fabulous fact about yourself. Jess Burbank: A long time ago, my best friend and I decided we wanted to learn how to make gelato (Italian ice cream), so we went to Frozen Dessert University. Then, we opened a gelato shop, creating many fun flavors like avocado and mixed citrus. It was a much more delicious job than making picture books, but I don’t miss washing dishes, and picture books don’t melt in the Florida sunshine like gelato did. Little Thoughts Press: How did you get started writing kid-lit and what do you find most challenging and rewarding about writing for kids? Jess Burbank: I started writing kid-lit as a kid attending the Young Author’s Conference in Southwest Florida every year. I loved holding my handwritten, illustrated, and bound books in my hands and meeting authors like Verna Aardema. I continued writing throughout my childhood and into college. Words always came easily for me, but art didn’t. The ability to draw felt illusive. I started taking painting classes in college and continued trying to paint throughout my adulthood. Right before the pandemic, a friend of mine sent me a book in the mail called You Are an Artist. I took that as a sign, and from that day on I decided to do some form of artmaking every day. I enrolled in a drawing and watercolor academy and worked hard every day. I also homeschooled my kids for nine years, using picture books as the basis for our curriculum, so I always loved picture books and had read hundreds of them through the years. I then used picture books as a major component of a nature journaling class I taught in California. After a couple of years of learning to draw and paint things like pears, people, and palm trees, I decided I wanted my art to do more. I wanted my art to tell a story. I combined my love of watercolor painting, writing, and books and decided to pursue making picture books. I joined SCBWI and Storyteller Academy. I took as many classes as I could, and I’m continuing to work towards my goal of being a traditionally published author/illustrator. As you can probably tell from these answers, I tend to be wordy, so writing for children can be challenging as I try to simplify and pare down my dense text. Writing a picture book that has beautiful, rhythmic, spare text that tells a story that is kid-relatable and meaningful without being preachy and then illustrating in a consistent style with a high level of technical proficiency is no easy feat! But I don’t think there’s anything more rewarding than writing books for children. What a gift to get to turn thoughts and images that live in my mind into books that can then become a tangible object that helps a child learn something new, make a child laugh, help a child fall asleep at night, or create characters that come to life for a child like a new friend. There’s nothing better! Little Thoughts Press: Which kid-lit authors and books were your favorites growing up? Jess Burbank: I was fortunate to grow up in a book-loving family. My mom was a sucker for those door-to-door book subscription sales programs, so new picture books were often arriving in our mailbox. I was also allowed to get a big stack from the library every week. I especially loved Danny and the Dinosaur, Blueberries for Sal, Are You My Mother, Put Me in the Zoo, Mister Dog: the Dog Who Belonged to Himself, and anything by P.D. Eastman, especially Go Dog, Go! Little Thoughts Press: And what about today? Any kid-lit writers you love and want to shout out? Jess Burbank: Today, I have so many favorite kid-lit writers. I especially admire and will shout out Julie Falatko, Jim Averbeck, Julie Fogliano, Laura Hughes, Cindy Derby, Jilanne Hoffmann, Jessica Stremer, and Catherine Rayner. I absolutely love the book Strictly No Elephants by Lisa Mantchev and Taeeun Yoo. Little Thoughts Press: What advice would you give to young writers? Jess Burbank: Write a little something every day. Try several different types of writing styles and genres…you might surprise yourself! Be an observer and appreciator of the world and of people. Notice the unnoticed. Use the strongest emotions and moments from your past in your work. Read a lot. Little Thoughts Press: Is there anything else you wish I had asked? Any upcoming projects, publications, or other news you'd like to share? Jess Burbank: I am hard at work on an expanded full moss-themed picture book that I hope will someday be a book I can hold in my hands. I’m also working on manuscripts about vernal pools, the solstices, and manatees, so I’m busy learning many, many more fabulous facts. Thank you for asking these wonderful questions and for providing us authors and illustrators a place to see our work in print.

Many days ago, I met a crow. When he caws at daybreak, he wakes us all up. However, when I am late to give him food, his calls are often harsh. Crows are of 20 different types or kinds. I think the crow that sits on my window sill every morning is a domestic crow. He resembles ravens, which are his close relatives. Jays and Magpies are also linked to him. I wish I could keep a Jay bird as my friend. Magpies are thieves, I read in a book. My friend crow is 16 inches in length. He is black in colour. So black that one day I took a picture of him against the dark cloudy sky, and it was difficult to make out where he was. When I gave him pistachios one day, I thought he would eat the seed but no. He is so smart that he knows it was a seed and he shouldn’t eat it. With his strong beak, he cracked the seed open and was able to eat. Sometimes when I give him little worms to eat, he doesn’t agree and calls for veggies. He is now my best friend and I wait for him to come to my window sill every morning. Saket Pattnaik is nine years old. He loves to travel, play with toy cars, and watch TV. Sakets's writing has previously appeared on the Little Thoughts Press blog, including the following stories: Trip to the Nature Adventure to Space What is your favorite topic to study in school? My favorite topic to study in school is Maths. What is the most interesting thing you recently learned? The most interesting thing I recently learned is that 0 is not represented in Roman numbers. What book are you currently reading or read most recently? Would you recommend this book to other readers? I read Mistakes That Worked by Charlotte Foltz Jones (Random House) most recently. Yes, I would recommend this book to other readers. What is one fabulous fact about you? One fabulous fact about me is that I won a medal in a Mathematics competition in 2022 where I solved 50 sums in only 5 minutes. What do you like most about writing? I love writing because I can explore different places and adventures through my stories.

Byron Garnett is 5 years old and started Kindergarten last fall. He loves to draw, play with Numberblocks, and do puzzles and legos. Byron's favorite food is ice cream and his favorite holiday is Halloween. Byron wants to go to New Zealand and Australia again to visit his cousins. What is your favorite topic to study in school? Math- I love numbers. Oh! And Art! What is the most interesting thing you recently learned? Counting by 106! What book are you currently reading or read most recently? The Bad Guys series by Aaron Blabey. Would you recommend this book to other readers? Yes! The wolf is so silly. What is one fabulous fact about you? I'm half Australian, and half American. I have visited family in New Zealand and Australia!

A photograph of Little Thoughts Press Issue Six: Fantastical Fall with a sneak peek of the poem, "Potions, Five Cents," by Christine Hennigan. Christine Hennigan loves to make people laugh, even if it gets her into trouble. She has worked with kids of all ages as a teacher and mental health counselor. When she grows up, Christine wants to be a famous chef and open a cat sanctuary. She lives in Monmouth County, New Jersey, with her husband, daughter, and kitty. Little Thoughts Press: You have worked with kids as a teacher and a mental health counselor. In what ways have these roles informed and influenced your writing for kids? From the standpoint of both a writer and a counselor, what recommendations would you offer to kid-lit writers who want to tell stories about mental health? Christine Hennigan: Counseling children taught me the power of characterization. When I was working with younger clients, we'd often use toys, stuffed animals, or our own invented avatars to navigate their personal stories. It can be a lot easier for children to understand themselves through relatable characters. We'd then use these alter egos as a springboard for exploring problems they are facing at home, school, or in their communities. I applaud anyone who wants to tackle mental health in their writing. There are different ways to approach it. Personally, I like to use characters as a means of modeling healthy actions. A few examples are asking for help, being good listeners, setting boundaries, allowing oneself to feel emotions, seeking safe adults, and practicing compassionate self-talk. Writing doesn't have to be about mental health to encourage mental health. I highly encourage collaborating with a mental health professional for heavier topics, particularly ones relating to specific diagnoses or trauma, and to help with inclusive language. Little Thoughts Press: Issue 6: Fantastical Fall is all about imagination and adventure, things that children more naturally and easily gravitate toward than adults often do. What techniques do you use to tap into your imagination and maintain a childlike sense of wonder and exploration when writing for a young audience? Christine Hennigan: I've been writing kidlit for just about a year now, and I haven't always been in a place where I can tap into that playful side of me. I've had to do a lot of personal work on vulnerability. Decades of it, honestly. I'm a recovering perfectionist, and perfectionism and creativity aren't the best of friends. In fact, I'd say they are frenemies. On the surface, they seem to support each other, but perfectionism loves to sabotage creativity. I'm at home full time with my 2-year-old daughter, so I'm immersed in the world of children. We take music, art, and dance classes throughout the week. These are a wonderful source of inspiration for me. I've always been a visual artist too, and recently I've been exploring the interplay of story and illustration. Collage is my primary medium, but I also paint and draw with traditional media. Little Thoughts Press: What do you find most challenging and rewarding about writing for a young audience? Christine Hennigan: I am such a geek, and I love learning AND teaching. So I find it tricky to strike the right balance between being an entertainer and being an educator through my writing.  I use the term educator loosely (this is the School of Life I'm talking about). As much as I say I just want to write funny kids poems, I know deep down I want my readers to leave with something more than laughs. The reward is huge though. Nothing feels better than a big grin from a child. And if a caregiver and child can laugh together, what a wonderful way to bond. Little Thoughts Press: Which kid-lit authors and books were your favorites growing up? Christine Hennigan: Growing up, I loved the Anastasia Krupnik series by Lois Lowry. The Baby-Sitters Club was also a favorite of mine, by Ann M. Martin. I have always been a fan of young female protagonists who are resourceful, independent, and outspoken. I was the quiet kid who had her hands folded (until I had the right answer, in which case my hand immediately shot up). I admired and lived vicariously through characters who had a bit more spunk. Little Thoughts Press: And what about today? Any kid-lit writers you love and want to shout out? Christine Hennigan: I recently discovered the work of Gail Carson Levine, and I wish I had read her when I was younger. I distinctly remember seeing Ella Enchanted as a new release when I was in the fifth grade, and since I was never a fan of princesses, I didn't pay much attention. Among many others, she has a poetry collection of false apologies by various famous characters, which I think is genius. I also like Marilyn Singer, especially Have You Heard About Ladybird?  Jack Prelutsky and Shel Silverstein too. Humorous poetry is my favorite. Little Thoughts Press: What advice would you give to young writers? Christine Hennigan: Start forming a healthy relationship with criticism early on. It's an unavoidable part of our profession, and as much as it stings, it can make you a better writer if you allow it to. There's outside criticism from the people who critique your work, and there's inside criticism from yourself. Both types can be detrimental to our art, if we give them the power. But first and foremost, give yourself plenty of time for downtime and play. Our minds are surprisingly creative when we let them rest. This may look like riding your bike, walking your dog, napping with your cat, chopping vegetables, doodling, or taking a bath. Ideas come to us when we let ourselves slow down.

Claire Simmons is in the 2nd grade. Nonfiction books are her favorite for reading. She loves to draw and make crafts. What is your favorite topic to study in school? Reading and writing. What is the most interesting thing you recently learned? That there are different ways to write, like cursive and bubble letters. What book are you currently reading or read most recently? Would you recommend this book to other readers? National Geographic Kids: Great Migrations Whales, by Laura Marsh. Yes, I would recommend it! What is one fabulous fact about you? I love animals!

Out My Window Out my window, my dreams dance like seeds woven into the wind as I watch the sky dipped blue jay fly. Out my white welcoming window, stands a tall ancient Oak, Waiting long and wide beckoning me to learn of its ancient mysteries. Out my window, flowers of the seasons bloom and blossom. Life passes by, like birds fly Out my window I hug the moment and freeze time I see the world as a place of wonder The woods, wild, call to me What is a River A river is a friend that binds us together Streaming bright through our hearts A river is a journey through time The scent of a memory washing through us It’s an ancient meeting place Veiled in mystery like kings as old as time And mermaids softly singing A river is a smile that makes people laugh A puzzle, a constellation, a beacon A river is a flow that never ends It bonds life and death together It is nature's greatest treasure It is infinity, it is life The Meaning of Small Things It is the small bird’s call, she whispered, as they beat down upon her window ledge It is the skipping of a stone along the crisp cool water of the frozen lake It is the brilliant shine of a tortoise shell and an acorn top that makes the perfect hat for a fairy or a gnome It is a frog sitting in a puddle bathing in the mud, waiting for spring A fox calling her pups in the misty night The wonder of waking in the night as a storm rolls by and the downy snowflakes as they fall on the silent eve These are moments that matter These are moments that mend our souls Mara Bella Occhuizzo is an 8-year-old who loves to be outdoors. She enjoys hiking, bike riding, and is an avid reader. Mara enjoys playing several instruments and loves learning bluegrass due to her proximity to world-renowned bluegrass artists and teachers in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. She spends time turning her poems into songs. What is your favorite topic to study in school? My favorite subject in school is music because it makes me feel free! What is the most interesting thing you recently learned? I recently learned that the human ear stops growing between the ages of 9 and 13! A woman's eardrum is the size of a penny and a man's eardrum is the size of a quarter! What book are you currently reading or read most recently? Would you recommend this book to other readers? I am reading Wish by Barbara O'Connor and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain. I enjoy both books because they give me perspective on the lives of others. What is one fabulous fact about you? I like to collect antiques! I love anything that looks magical (beautifully decorated hankies, ladies' hats, small jewelry boxes). What do you like most about writing? I love to write because I can let my words flow onto paper and set them free.

A photograph of Little Thoughts Press Issue Six: Fantastical Fall with a sneak peek of the story, "The Silent Dancer," by Kamilla Milligan. Kamilla Milligan writes stories for all ages that celebrate respectful relationships, the power of nature, and the beauty of home. She lives in a small town on a big island with her family, surrounded by gardens, woods, and water. Learn more about Kamilla at kamillamilligan.com. Little Thoughts Press: In your story, "The Silent Dancer" the reading audience is brought in for the conclusion of an epic quest, the "Last Chance" for the hero to lift the spell that has taken over her home and save her community and her family. To do so, she must employ what appears to be a lost form of communication, a combination of signs and movement and light. Can you talk a bit about how this story developed? Did your initial draft begin as it does in this final version, at the end of the Seeker's tale? Why did you choose to make this "Last Chance" moment the starting point for "The Silent Dancer" and how did you decide which elements of the larger backstory to keep and which to cut? Kamilla Milligan: When I began this story in 2015, I wanted to create a fantasy world of quests, spells and magic. Since I was focused on a short story versus a novel, even my first draft began with Elaria approaching the city. This let readers enter the quest at its most dramatic episode, with their imaginations filling in what came before. I also wanted to show Elaria’s ability to communicate in a way that was more powerful than words: dancing and using light to lift the dull, darkening spell. I saw a joyous community-building process, with a humble heroine gathering people around her through her own special forms of persuasion. I love to consider how gentleness and love can be more powerful than force, so leaving the backstory as setting let me give the bulk of the story space over to showcasing this magic. All the elements were there from the start, but the form they took definitely evolved over the years and multiple critiques. Little Thoughts Press: Issue 6: Fantastical Fall is all about imagination and adventure, things that children more naturally and easily gravitate toward than adults often do. What techniques do you use to tap into your imagination and maintain a childlike sense of wonder and exploration when writing for a young audience? Kamilla Milligan: This is an ongoing learning process for me as I try to let go of a productivity mindset and get back to wonder and joy in life. I love to walk and be in nature, which always refreshes and inspires me. And I try to retain a beginner’s mind by learning new things and being willing to do them badly—including weaving, felting, knitting, basket-making, painting, language-learning, and many more. Little Thoughts Press: What do you find most challenging and rewarding about writing for a young audience? Kamilla Milligan: Kids deserve books that are emotionally true and engaging. Digging deep into an idea to find its heart, and finding ways to express it that will resonate AND entertain, requires time, intellectual effort, self-honesty, and lots of revisions: it’s hard work! It’s a gift to take time to tap into my own memories of rich emotional and sensory experiences of childhood. I hope this work results in stories that inspire and let kids feel seen and loved—the ultimate reward! Little Thoughts Press: Which kid-lit authors and books were your favorites growing up? Kamilla Milligan: I read and re-read everything by L.M. Montgomery and Louisa May Alcott—their spirited heroines and strong values shaped me. I also spent hours in Enid Blyton’s adventure and school books. The Anastasia series by Lois Lowry made me laugh and long for a house with a turret. I also loved sci-fi by Monica Hughes, Nancy Drew’s adventures, Paddington Bear and his London exploits, all the Narnia books, and many, many others that I still dip into today. Little Thoughts Press: And what about today? Any kid-lit writers you love and want to shout out? Kamilla Milligan: An endless number of them! The growth in books for kids is inspiring. Just a few picture books from this past year that made me gasp in delight are When You Can Swim by Jack Wong—I could feel myself immersed in water as I read it! The powerful story-telling, emotions, and empathy in The Moon from Dehradun by Shirin Shamsi and Tahrun Lak brought tears to my eyes. I was swept away with the energy and joy in There Was a Party for Langston: King O’ Letters by Jason Reynolds, Jerome Pumphrey and Jarrett Pumphrey. And as a beginner fibre artist myself, the rhythm and global historical wisdom in Woven of the World by Katie Howes and Dinara Mirtalipova was inspiring. For middle grade, there are also too many to name. My daughter and I both love Jamie Sumner’s engaging, realistic fiction. Other favourites include Erin Entrada Kelly, Christina Soontornvat, Anne Ursu, and Hilary McKay for incredible story ideas, rich writing, relatable characters, and immersive settings. Little Thoughts Press: What advice would you give to young writers? Kamilla Milligan: Remember that as a creator, you are completely free to write whatever you’re excited about. There’s no such thing as a perfect story or the “right” thing to write, so let yourself build the worlds and stories that you want to see. And if it takes time to make them into what you envision, you’re in good company—every writer I know is constantly working on their craft and revising their stories so they can better share what they see in their minds and hearts. Little Thoughts Press: Is there anything else you wish I had asked? Any upcoming projects, publications, or other news you'd like to share? Kamilla Milligan: I’m starting up a newsletter to share book recommendations, book news, and snippets from my life. You can sign up at kamillamilligan.com on the “contact” tab. I’m also thrilled to share that I was recently accepted into the Round Table Mentorship program to work with Ellen Armendáriz on my contemporary middle grade novel! I’ll be working with her over the next year to get it query-ready and can’t wait to dive in.

Thank you to everyone who shared the love in our Silly Love Sonnets kidlit poetry contest! It was so much fun to read through all of the incredible entries and delight in the little things you all love! You all made it so hard to choose that we ended up awarding more prizes than we had originally intended. First up, we are excited to announce our WINNER... RYANN JONES Ode to OREOs But soft, what cream through yonder cookie breaks? ‘Tis OREO, and mine taste buds awake. A prize for glorious centers sweet. Peanut butter, mint, and birthday cake treat. And praise for thy chocolate divine. Oh, how I wish thou were mine, only mine! Whether stuck in mine teeth or new in thine pack Oh crunchy companion, you’re my favorite snack. And thy beautiful shape, so perfectly round. ‘Tis better than other cookies I’ve found. Goodnight, goodnight, till it be morrow. Parting from thee is such sweet sorrow, Shall I hide thee in a place only I know? My one true love . . . Oh, OREO! Congratulations, Ryann! There's no doubting your love for Oreos; this poem is double-stuffed with devotion! Here are more of our thoughts on this winning piece: Claire: How fitting for a Silly Love Sonnet to take one of literature's most notable declarations of desire and direct it at a cookie! And truly, is there any cookie more deserving than the Oreo whose pairing with a glass of milk could rival that of Romeo and Juliet any day? We came looking for a bit of fun and trivial delights and Ryann's entry really delivered. Carrie: Well, who doesn't love an Oreo cookie? I know I do. Ryann did a great job balancing archaic language and form with modern sensibilities. All the "ohs" and other round sounds throughout seemed to echo the cookie shape, adding a fun layer of sensory appeal for me. I imagine that both William Shakespeare and Sam Porcello (the creator of this fun black-and-white confection) would be proud of Ryann’s tribute. AND OUR RUNNER-UP IS... ANNELIES JUDSON My Love For You My love for you is hard to show. I watch you as you come and go. I’m waiting for the day you’ll know How much I really love you so. I know that I’m no Romeo But given time, our love could grow. My love for you is hard to show. * My love for you is hard to show. I try to wave and say hello… I move my body to and fro… I swim around a fake chateau…! My love for you is hard to show. * If I could wish a wish for you I’d wish you were a goldfish, too. Claire: So clever! The unique perspective in this poem sneaks up on you and then you get the great payoff in the ending couplet. You can just picture the goldfish brimming with love as it swims back and forth and I can't help but feel a twinge of sadness for the little fish and its big, unrequited love. Carrie: This poem snuck up on me. Coming to the turnaround line of that "fake chateau" snapped everything into focus, and bam! All of a sudden, I was feeling some feelings—so poignant and unexpected. Great work here. There were so many wonderful entries that we ended up selecting three Honorable Mentions in addition to our winner and runner-up. Please join us in congratulating our three HONORABLE MENTIONS... IAN BROWNIE Ode to a beach scene jigsaw Shall I construct thee to a summer’s day? Only if all thy pieces so align. A thousand of them, lying where they may; The table hasn’t room on which to dine. Whither the primarily yellow bits? Up and away to form the glowing sun, Or maybe as a playful towel it fits? I wonder how frustration’s so much fun. I pray that piece I need is not mislaid. It should go there, behind the ice cream van. Oh no, I really don’t require your aid; My satisfaction’s knowing that I can. All done, hurray! The puzzle is complete. ‘Twas so engrossing I forgot to eat! Claire: Both the puzzle's beach scene and the image of someone working on a puzzle are wonderfully brought to life in this poem, and in only fourteen lines! I loved all the little specific details of the puzzle with the towel and the ice cream van, as well as the nods to the puzzle's obtrusive and frustrating qualities. Plus there's a nicely woven-in message here about the joy that comes from sticking with a hard task and seeing it through to its end. Carrie: Here's another fun nod to the Bard. The vivid and specific language took me straight into the scene and kept me there, which mirrored what the narrator was experiencing. There's even a bit of a story arc, which is fabulous in such a short space. My favorite line is "I wonder how frustration's so much fun," which perfectly sums up the mysterious joy of jigsaw puzzles. STEFAN KARLSSON A Valentine's Flower for Frankenstein’s Monster Even a monster like me loves flowers: roses and tulips, petunias and buttercups. I’ve got a green thumb and a florist’s nose all thanks to the doctor who sewed me up. But I planted roses and they died—oh, I cried! Then my tulips withered—my green lips quivered! My petunias perished—well, those I forgot to water… And my buttercups croaked—I blubbered, I choked! If only my garden was green like me... But that’s it! If my yard is a tomb, then I’ll gather dead blossoms and zap ‘em—boom!— to make a new monstrous, mishmash bloom! From fallen petals—behold!—my Franken-Flower is born! I love it but it stinks and—ouch—it has thorns. Claire: This poem has a ton of kid appeal. It's like a Valentine to all the little Halloween fans out there! I love the humorous image of this poor monster trying to grow flowers and inadvertently killing them all instead. I can just picture its quivering green lips and look of dejection. I love that the monster, who is made from a mishmash of parts creates a new flower by similar means. Well done! Carrie: Stefan's work is always smart yet accessible. In addition to this piece's great storytelling and vivid imagery, the wordplay and humor of the narrator—a sewn-together monster made of once-dead bits—having a green thumb and a florist's nose was especially wonderful. MEERA—age 10 My Pet Human I’m a blue pig, as you can plainly see My human thinks I’m her pet, but that’s not how it is to me. From my view, she’s my pet indeed. She sleeps in my bed, but thinks it’s hers. Though she’s a little confused you see, I love her more than eating birdseed. Crackers are yummy too, but I love her more, I swear I do. If I don’t keep my promise to you, Then I’m no blue pig, it’s true. What promise you ask? Why, the one about me loving her, of course. Though she’s definitely a little confused about me, I love her so much… Claire: This poem is so sweet and fun! What kid hasn't imagined that their favorite stuffed animal was alive and loved them? The Toy Story-style flipped perspective here works so well. You can really feel this pig's devotion to its human. Carrie: My own stuffy pig was purple and my favorite toy for many years as a kid. I dragged "Piggy" everywhere! So, this "love poem" by a blue pig for their pet human took me back to some sweet memories. And lastly, my six-year-old's favorite and the winner of our KID CHOICE is... ANGELA JELF The World's Best Dog My puppy's eyes are nothing like the sun, His left ear sticks up like a sail, His paws get so muddy whenever he runs, That he's constantly leaving a trail. I've seen clever pups that can jump and roll over But my dog would rather chase sticks, And as for his breath, well, it don't smell like roses, And he's constantly giving me licks. He isn't too likely to win any prizes, For hounds who are handsome and smart, But a more loyal friend, you never did meet, And he holds the first place in my heart. Here's to a dog, who is loyal and true, Who shreds up your slippers and runs off with your shoe! Here are a few thoughts on this choice: "I like that it has an animal. My favorite line is the part about destroying the shoe!" Congratulations to all our winners! Please message @LTPmag on Twitter or email me at littlethoughtspress at gmail to claim your prizes and coordinate shipping. Our Winner, Runner-up and Kid Choice winner will receive a copy of one of our issues and our Honorable Mentions will receive bookmarks featuring cover art from Little Thoughts Press issues. Thank you again to everyone who participated! It was such a treat to read through your entries. And thank you as always for reading and supporting Little Thoughts Press. Our Fabulous Facts issue launches on February 28th and is available for preorder now!

A photograph of Little Thoughts Press Issue Six: Fantastical Fall with a sneak peek of the poem "Spotted" by Hazel Knox. A white page with black text and a graphic of a mermaid's tale disappearing into water. Hazel Knox is a children’s writer and occupational therapist based in Edinburgh. She is a Scottish Book Trust New Writers Awardee and her poetry has been published in The Toy, Paddler Press, in a ghost stories anthology published by Crowvus, and online at dirigibleballoon.org. Find her on Twitter @hazel_knox. Little Thoughts Press: One thing I really enjoyed about your poems "Scorch the Dragon" and "Spotted" is the way you use comical, unexpected turns to bring humor and lightness to these pieces. What guidance would you offer to other writers on how to incorporate humor and playfulness into their work? Hazel Knox: For me, I write with humour when I feel playful. I’m learning not to force it when I don’t feel that way, or a topic doesn’t evoke that in me. To get myself in a playful place I spend time with children—the fun experts! I also find reading funny poems and stories can wake up my own sense of humour. Little Thoughts Press: And at times when the world feels especially heavy, how do we strike a balance between offering young readers an approachable but serious look at life's difficulties, and providing fun, joyful distractions through our stories and poetry? Hazel Knox: Both are important but I think sometimes the value of funny for funny’s sake is underestimated. Reading something that tickles us feels good and that alone has huge benefits. Humour can also be a distraction from difficult things and learning to give yourself that break is a useful skill. Little Thoughts Press: Issue 6: Fantastical Fall is all about imagination and adventure, things that children more naturally and easily gravitate toward than adults often do. What techniques do you use to tap into your imagination and maintain a childlike sense of wonder and exploration when writing for a young audience? Hazel Knox: Definitely spending time around children, especially if you can create situations where you’re not in charge. I also find the more I’m writing, the easier it is to look at things from a child’s point of view—writing feeds my wonder habit! Little Thoughts Press: What do you find most challenging and rewarding about writing for a young audience? Hazel Knox: Most challenging is probably coping with the rollercoaster of acceptances and passes, and maintaining my confidence through that. Most rewarding is when someone finds my work funny—it’s the biggest compliment you can give me. Little Thoughts Press: Which kid-lit authors and books were your favorites growing up? Hazel Knox: I loved The Borrowers by Mary Norton and must have re-read The Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett ten times. I also used to enjoy a series based on a TV programme called Children’s Ward. I really wanted to be a patient in hospital—I’ve got three brothers and I wanted some attention! Little Thoughts Press: And what about today? Any kid-lit writers you love and want to shout out? Hazel Knox: How many can I shout about?! I’m very grateful to Jen Carney for writing books that make my daughter cackle with laughter. Barbara Henderson writes brilliant Scottish historical fiction for middle-grade readers and is a huge supporter of other authors, whatever stage they’re at. I really like the everyday observations and gentle humour in Attie Lime’s poems, and appreciate her generosity in sharing her workshop ideas. Little Thoughts Press: What advice would you give to young writers? Hazel Knox: Write about what you like and don’t worry about spelling. Little Thoughts Press: Is there anything else you wish I had asked? Any upcoming projects, publications, or other news you'd like to share? Hazel Knox: I’m delighted to be able to say my debut chapter book, The Night Pixie, is coming out later this year with HB Publishing House. It features a curious night pixie experiencing day for the first time, and I can’t wait to share her chaotic adventures with readers.

Valentine's Day is almost here! To celebrate and spread a little kidlit love, we are excited to announce the Little Thoughts Press "Silly Love Sonnets” Kidlit Poetry Contest! Save your romantic gestures and sweeping declarations for your one true love or latest crush. We want your odes to the little things you love the most. A perfect peanut butter & jelly sandwich, the Rainbow Road race course in Mario Kart, crunchy caramel popcorn, or the inexplicable softness of a kitty cat's belly. Give us silly perspectives: a poem from a hamster who loves its exercise wheel, a homerun baseball soaring out of a stadium, a crawling baby who can't resist turning over the family dog's water bowl. Don't let the form scare you away. We are looking for sonnets but aren't sticklers for specific rules. Just give us fourteen lines about something silly you love. Rhyme and meter are a plus, but aren't required. What: A fourteen-line poem celebrating any little thing you love. The sillier the better! This is all about spreading joy, and saluting the small pleasures in life. All submissions should be appropriate for a readership of kids ages 12 and younger. Who: Agented, pre-agented, published, pre-published, writers of all ages and stages— all kidlit creatives are welcome to enter! When: The contest submission period is from February 7th - 14th. A winner, two honorable mentions, and a kid choice winner will be announced here, on the Little Thoughts Press blog, and on our socials on Friday, February 16th! Selected poems will be featured on the blog and winners will receive a free copy of their choice of one of our issues & a bookmark featuring Little Thoughts Press cover art. Winning entries will be selected by Little Thoughts Press editors, Claire and Carrie. How to enter: Post your entry as a comment on this post by 11:59 pm (EST) on February 14th. Entries posted outside of this window will not be considered. Please include your name with your poem so we know for sure whose entry it is! Details: Rhyme and meter are not required, but your sonnet must be fourteen lines. 1 entry per kidlit creator. Grab your copy of our participant badge and help spread the word by sharing #sillylovesonnets on your socials! We can't wait to see all the silly things you can't help but love!