Spring Has Sprung!

Spring has sprung, and so has another kidlit contest!  SpringFlingKidLit was the first contest I entered in the Twitter kidlit world 2 years ago, and I didn't place, but I made some great friends and was ushered into the amazing world of Twitter kidlit.  I've not once looked back!  I continue making great friends.  @Kaitlyn Sanchez was one of the first ones to welcome me as part of this contest, followed by @Kailei Pew.  Now, I have well over 3,000 followers - -many of whom I also count as friends.  Two years ago I did not have a critique group nor a critique partner.  I was just sort of almost beginning to grasp what writing a picture book looked like.  Now I have several critique groups and critique partners and I consider them an invaluable resource in my writing life.  Two years later, I have placed in several contests as a winner, finalist, or an honorable mention.  The changes are apparent, helpful, and good, and it all started with a leap on Leap Day of 2020!

Two years and many contests later, we're back to SpringFling Kidlit.  150 words. Inspired by a GIF.  Geared towards kids. etc.  Interestingly, last weekend was busy (THAT's nothing unusual). It was my nephew's birthday weekend and he'd had a sleepover at a nearby Christian camp lodge.  We had hauled stuff, worked a full day , slept on camp mattresses, stayed up late chatting, and had lots of fun.  We were also very tired.  So, hubby and I took a nap.  My sister was supposed to come pick up some things, and was supposed to text before she came.  In the middle of our nap, I was awakened by a "knock knock, knock knock".  Shane awoke, too, and said, "Is someone at the door?"
 Yes!  
He got up to check. . . .
No!  
No one was at the door.  He checked the turtle's aquarium.  That wasn't it either.  As he continued to investigate, he discovered a woodpecker pecking on the eaves of our house.  "Stupid woodpecker!" he said and he went back to sleep.  The knocking mystery had awakened me too far to go back to sleep, so I got up, planning to write the story that was formulating in my head.  Then, I realized -- this would be the perfect spring fling kidlit story!  A mom of one of my nephew's friends had told the story of her youngest child who was wanting to do a knock knock joke, but none of his siblings would listen to him, so he finally let out a big sigh, shrugged, and said, "Wrong door. . ." From those two bits, this story was born.  When I was searching for a GIF to use, this one popped up and the rest of the story came together.  I hope you enjoy my version of KNOCK, KNOCK!

KNOCK KNOCK!

Knock, knock!
Knock, knock!
Woodpecker taps a door in Spring.
“Whoo’s there?”
Owl opens both eyes wide.
WRONG DOOR.
Woodpecker flies away.

Knock, knock!
Knock, knock!
Woodpecker taps a door in Spring.
“Who’s there?”
Squirrel skitters and chatters,
Acorns and peanuts scatter 
WRONG DOOR!
Woodpecker flies away.

Knock, knock!
Knock, knock!
Woodpecker taps a door in Spring.
“Who’s there?”
A man looks out the window
With a scowl and a growl,
‘WRONG DOOR!”
Woodpecker flies away.

Knock, knock!
Knock, knock!
Woodpecker taps a door in Spring.
“Who’s there?”
Snake lurches out,
Fangs exposed,
“WRONG DOOR!”
Woodpecker ZOOMS away!

Knock, knock!
Knock, knock!
Woodpecker taps a door in Spring.
“Who’s there?”
A girl woodpecker comes out to dance.
RIGHT DOOR!
They tango up and down their tree
And build a nest to lay their eggs.
Woodpecker is finally home!

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