Emotions are high at my house. I tell myself it's just my 3-year old’s way of supporting my writing. She’s providing a wealth of inspiration to push a couple manuscripts (inspired by said emotions) to that next level. Here are the books and feelings we’re exploring!

I set the goal this year to review one book each week to support fellow KidLit writers. I am one week ahead with 18 posted on Amazon. I have not, however, been as productive with sharing those reviews here. In fact, I have not been particularly productive with my writing this month. 
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​What have I been doing?

​I Have a Balloon (2017) by Ariel Bernstein, art by Scott Magoon
My 3-year old’s favorite game is called “What do you like to do?” in which toys ask one another this very question to kick off some imaginative play. My daughter always selects a few toys and asks which I would like to be. Just like the characters in Bernstein's clever, debut book, my daughter always wants whichever toy I choose. After hearing my selection, she says, “that’s my favorite” and gives me a different toy! We also relate to the book’s disclaimer that it is not about sharing as my daughter reclaims all her old baby toys brought out for the new little one. In addition to being relatable on multiple levels, I love the strong character voices that are developed through dialogue only and the illustrations that are perfect for this humorous book.

Go Sleep in Your Own Bed! (2017)
by Candace Fleming, art by Lori Nichols
If only our bedtime woes were as easily solved as those in Fleming’s book! I love the illustrations (those end pages!), onomatopoeia, repetition, energy, and read-aloudability of this guessing game book.

Things To Do (2017) by Elaine Magliaro, art by Catia Chien
​Beautiful, concrete imagery explores unique perspectives of various objects a girl encounters throughout her day. This wonderful collection of poetry begs readers to personify everyday objects and consider what things they might do, which is a great activity to spark any writer’s imagination! With very little time to get BIC (butt in chair) these days, I’m grasping on to any form of “writing” I can – including collecting ideas from everyday experiences and studying the craft by reading as many picture books as I can with my little ones. 

I have participated in Susanna Leonard Hill's Halloweensie contest twice and her first-ever Valentiny contest, and this will be my first Holiday Writing Contest. The prompt: write a children's (ages 12 and under) holiday story of 300 words or less using the basic format/concept of The Twelve Days of Christmas! Check out my entry below. 

THE GIFT OF READING
A Picture Book Riddle by Amanda Sincavage
(297 words)
 
Twelve days before Christmas I hadn’t bought any gifts yet. My sister Margarita banged the drums in her room and I couldn’t think through the clatter. 
          I thought about sending her to a deserted island for Christmas.
Eleven days before Christmas my little brother Tommy needed help building his train track. I told him, “I think you can do it.” Mom said to help him anyway.
         Can you wrap confidence?
Ten days before Christmas my brother Matt’s tadpole grew legs!
          Maybe they need froggy shoes for leaping.
Nine days before Christmas we went to the zoo. My sister Molly mimicked the flamingos.
          She already has pink tights and a tutu.
Eight days before Christmas my Aunt Pat sent me to the store for milk and…I forgot!?!?
          She needs a delivery service.
Seven days before Christmas my friend Joe and I explored the depths of a magical pond.
          We didn’t discover any gifts.
Six days before Christmas I took my grumpy Grandpa for a walk, and we saw four waddling goslings.
          A pet for Grandpa?
Five days before Christmas Grandma knocked on the door with a fresh batch of cookies.
          Mmmm…but she told me I had to share.
Four days before Christmas my cousins teased me when I said a silly phrase.
          Maybe they won’t get anything.
Three days before Christmas the whole family pitched in to help mom make cookies.
          Shhhh…they weren’t as good as Grandma’s.
Two days before Christmas my friend Joni and I dressed up in too-big hats and couldn't see.
          No hats for her!
One day before Christmas Daddy hung a swing from the old apple tree, which reminded me of a story…and that’s when it came to me. I would share my love of reading!
          What books did I gift from my library? 

Reread the story (and original song) to identify which books the main character gifted to each friend and family member! Post your guesses in the comments, and I will share the answers later this week. 

UPDATE 12/19/16: The contest is over and results are in! I am happy to have received an honorable mention for "Thinking-Outside-The-Box Creativity." Yippee! For those of you interested, I added the riddle answers in the comments below.