Skip to content

Blog

First Playdate Fears #50PreciousWords

#50PreciousWords is my all-time favorite kidlit writing contest. It’s run by Vivian Kirkfield, and it was the first writing contest I ever entered. I love the challenge to write small and three of my previous entries, Dig: an archaeological lift-the-flap , A Handful of History, and Grandmother’s Flute have been selected as finalists. I’m excited to share my entry for 2025 below.

You can leave a comment on my entry here too.

First Playdate Fears:
a reverso poem

(c) Katie McEnaney, 2025
Word count: 50

Playdate time?

Nervous,
Not
Excited.

Let’s imagine:
He’s in my room.

Laughing at my books.

Collapses 
My fort.

He climbs around
While I worry.

Knock
Knock

While I worry,
He climbs around
My fort.

Collapses
Laughing at my books.

He’s in my room.
“Let’s imagine!”

Excited,
Not
Nervous:

Playdate time!

Have you ever read a reverso poem? The first I ever encountered came from the book Mirror, Mirror written by Marilyn Singer and illustrated by Josée Masse. I reviewed her follow-up book, Echo Echo, on my blog The Logonauts and shared a few examples from my students.

It’s so clever how reversing the lines of the poems completes changing the meaning and point-of-view! I’d been wanting to try more of my own recently, and my son’s first playdate with a friend last week gave me the inspiration.

For recent reverso-style books, check out Amah Faraway written by Margaret Chiu Greanias and illustrated by Tracy Subisak or Drawn Onward written by Daniel Nayeri and illustrated by Matt Rockefeller. (It’s billed as a “palindrome” book, but while the title and center line are palindromes, the overall book is not. 😉 )

Have you ever attempted a reverso poem? Or have a favorite example I missed? Please share!

Thankful and Thanksgiving Books #PBMentorTexts

It seemed appropriate for November to share my #PBMentorTexts list of thankful and Thanksgiving books. Every-other month or so I put together a list of five picture book mentor texts under a common theme. You can see all my #PBMentorTexts as a monthly feature over on my Instagram account.

Thankful and Thanksgiving Books

Thankful by Elaine Vickers and Samantha Cotterill

This journey through a year of things to be  thankful for is told in lyrical text and amazing illustrations made in miniature. “It’s hard to think about all the things to be thankful for in a whole year, so I start right in my own room.”

We are Grateful: Otsaliheliga by Traci Sorell and Frane Lessac 

Another ‘through the year’ book, this one highlights traditional elements of Cherokee culture and introduces a range of Cherokee words as well. “When cool breezes blow and leaves fall, we say ‘otsaliheliga…’”

Thank You, Omu! by Oge Mora

An ode to those with a giving heart – and for how the rest of us recognize and reward that. “‘I was playing with my race car down the hall when I smelled the most delicious smell,’ the little boy replied. ‘What is it?’”

Enough Is… by Jessica Whipple and Nicole Wong

This charming story comes at the idea of thankfulness through appreciating what you have and truly understanding Enough. “Somewhere between a little and a lot there is Enough. It might be hard to spot, but it’s always there.”

Keepunumuk: Weeâchumun’s Thanksgiving Story
By Danielle Greendeer, Anthony Perry, Alexis Bunten, and Garry Meeches Sr.

This is a unique Native retelling of the First Thanksgiving.

“‘Can you tell us a story?’ Quill asked.
‘How about the time Weeâchumun asked our Wampanoag ancestors to help the Pilgrims?’ N8hkumuhs replied.”

Want more #PBMentorTexts?

You can find more #PBMentorText posts by clicking here, or you can follow along on Instagram. If you subscribe to my quarterly newsletter (below), you’ll receive the most-recent #PBMentorTexts themes in a printable PDF format!

Hedgehog in the autumn leaves

A Prickle of Prehistory – #FallWritingFrenzy

This is my third year participating in Fall Writing Frenzy, hosted by Kaitlyn Sanchez, Lydia Ludikis, and Ebony Mudd. (You can read all about this year’s contest here.) The challenge is to write a 200-word or less Fall-themed kidlit story based on one of the photographs chosen for the contest.

My previous entries were what felt like a section from a middle grade fantasy quest novel, The Road Ahead, and a counting board book, Hush! Hammock. But this year I finally found an image that let me bring my “geeking out archaeology” vibe to the fall. (Isn’t it just the cutest?) Stick around past the story for some amazing ancient hedgehog images too!

Hedgehog in fall leaves
Credit: Unsplash via Piotr Łaskawski

A Prickle of Prehistory: 
the uncommon legacy of the common hedgehog

(c) Katie McEnaney, 2024
Word count: 200

Psst… hey, you?

Not up there. Down here.

Hedgehogs are easily overlooked—it’s one of our many talents—but we have been a big deal for thousands of years. Curl up close—not too close—and I’ll tell you our tale.

Hedgehogs were famous across the ancient world. In Egypt we warded off evil. A carved hedgehog necklace kept you safe. Hedgehog rattles scared off spirits.

We predicted fall weather. When the Egyptian summer sun beat down, we would dig in and sleep underground. Weeks later we would reappear, right as the weather cooled. Don’t tell the groundhogs, but we may have been the first forecasters.

If you start looking for ancient hedgehogs, you will find us everywhere. We were carved out of stone and sculpted out of clay. We were blown out of glass and cast in gold. 

One hedgehog statue even had its own wheeled cart to ride. Maybe it was a beloved toy. Maybe it was a mysterious religious ceremony. We’ll keep that secret to ourselves.

We may be little, but we are not insignificant. We are thousands of years of history wrapped up in one small, spiky bundle. Treat us well, and maybe we will bring you good luck too!

Ancient Hedgehogs

I had seen a lot of these amazing hedgehogs at one time or another, but it was so fun to peruse them again for this story! I had a hard time narrowing it down to just a few.

© The Trustees of the British Museum
Public Domain, The Met
(c) National Museums Scotland
(c) Brooklyn Museum
(c) Museé du Louvre
(c) Brooklyn Museum

I’d love to hear which is your favorite!

Newsletter Launch + Giveaway

I’m finally launching my quarterly newsletter. You can join in the fun by signing up below – the newsletter means you’ll hear from me 4xs a year or choose the “book news” option if you only want emails when new books are launching (like my piece in the Clio’s Magical Muse anthology!).

Each newsletter will feature one or more #PBMentorTexts sets, 5 amazing picture books on a common theme. This quarter’s newsletter contains Unique Twists on the First Days of School and Celebrating Our Names. I’ll also share some of my favorite archaeology news as well as personal and writing updates.

As a special bonus, I’m offering a giveaway. Two newsletter subscribers will win customized book recommendations! I’ve got a wide background in everything from picture books to chapter books to middle grade. Need comp titles for a new project? Want book suggestions for a kid reader in your life? Love middle grade books for yourself and want new ideas? The possibilities are wide open. Enter by 9/8/24.

Thanks for signing up!

Publication Alert!

I’m delighted to share that my informational fiction story, Faster, Higher, Stronger, has been published in the middle grade anthology, Clio’s Curious Dash Through Time! I wrote this story last year as part of the #SunWriteFun contest, sponsored by Karen M. Greenwald.

Here’s a sneak preview of the beginning …

A Bit of Back Matter

Ok, so #SunWriteFun didn’t allow for art notes (PS this is set in 776 BCE) or back matter, but especially with informational fiction, I wanted a chance to share a little about what we *do* know about this story.

Fact: The first Olympics (as defined by archaeologists and historians) took place in 776 BCE in the city-state of Olympia in ancient Greece. There was probably only one event – a foot race – and it was won by a man named Koroibos, a cook from the city-state of Elis.

Fact: The Greeks were one of several ancient civilizations that used homing pigeons to send important messages. Pigeons did report on the winner(s) of the Olympics.

Implication: Because homing pigeons only fly back to their own loft, this meant that every potential Olympian would have to have brought their own homing pigeons with them *in case* they were the winner! It was this idea (plus the theme of ‘dreams’) that made me think about all those poor homing pigeons who had to travel back from Olympia in their crates with no news to bring home.

Fact: Citius, Altius, Fortius (Faster, Higher, Stronger) is the Olympic motto of the modern Olympics and was added in 1924.

Opinion: I find it very amusing that the motto is in Latin despite the Olympics beginning in ancient Greece.

Question: What do you wonder about homing pigeons or the ancient Olympics?

Lyrical Nonfiction #PBMentorTexts

#PBMentorTexts is a monthly feature over on my Instagram account. Each month I share a collection of picture books under a common theme. These would make great mentor texts for picture book writers, as well as great text sets for classrooms or at-home reading!

February’s theme was lyrical nonfiction. Rather than an oxymoron, today’s nonfiction books are increasingly beautiful to read as well as look at. Each of these titles holds a special place in my personal library.

Lyrical Nonfiction Text Set

Pando: a living wonder of trees
By: Kate Allen Fox & Turine Tran

This book draws you in and doesn’t let you go. Luminous illustrations add to the dreamy feel.

“For now, / there are more trees than stars you can see on a clear night / than species of fish in the sea / than miles that stretch around the world.

Woven of the World
By: Katey Howes & Dinara Mirtalipova

Capturing the entire history of weaving in a picture book is no small feat, and the lyrical poetry here is stunning.

“I listen as I’m weaving / to the rhythm of the loom. I imagine skeins of history / unfurled across the room—”

The Stuff of Stars
By: Marion Dane Bauer & Ekua Holmes

Luscious marbled illustrations meet sparse lyrical text covering the creation of the universe, plants, and everything else in between. 

“And the ash of those dying stars, gathering into planets, and the planets circled other stars…”

Giant Squid & Honeybee
By: Candace Fleming & Eric Rohmann

Each story captures the unique feel of its subject: the mystery of the giant squid and the buzzing, moving life of a honeybee.

“One summer morning deep in the nest, / a brand-new honeybee squirms, pushes, chews through the wax cap of her solitary cell…”

Great Carrier Reef
By: Jessica Stremer & Gordy Wright

An aircraft carrier might not be your first thought for a lyrical picture book, but this book captures its transition to an artificial reef.

“Unlike the Mighty O, which survived its battles unscathed, the future of reefs and the animals they serve is bleak.”

What topics would you like to see covered in a future #PBMentorTexts? Leave your ideas below!

Interested in receiving a one-page printable version of each #PBMentorTexts list? Sign up for my newsletter.

Grandma’s Flute #50PreciousWords

#50PreciousWords is my all-time favorite kidlit writing contest. It’s run by Vivian Kirkfield, and it was the first writing contest I ever entered. I love the challenge to write small and two of my previous entries, Dig: an archaeological lift-the-flap and A Handful of History, have been selected as finalists. I’m excited to share my entry for 2024 below.

Grandma’s Flute

(c) Katie McEnaney, 2024
Word count: 50

When Grandma’s flute trills, my heart sings. 

My turn:
Pucker, blow…
Squeal! 
Screech!

Hugs. Encouragement. Try again.
Squeals become notes.
Screeches transform into melodies.

Nana cheers my recitals.
Graduation.
Until I have only her flute.

Silent.

Finally, my daughter—ready to learn.
Her great-grandma’s flute trills, and both our hearts sing.

The image of the flute used in the Canva version of my story come from Marco Verch on Flickr and is used with attribution under the Creative Commons license 2.0.

The Cookie Calamity

Happy December! And happy annual-holiday-writing-contest season! I’m delighted to be joining Susanna Hill and a host of other wonderful kidlit writers in this year’s contest. (You can read my honorable mention entry from last year, The Stockings Were Hung by the Chimney with Care here.) This year’s contest must feature a countdown of some kind and squeak in under 250 words. You can read all the rules, enter yourself, or check out the other amazing entries here!

The Cookie Calamity

(c) Katie McEnaney, 2023
249 words

Amelie grinned as she frosted the twelfth and final snowflake cookie. Perfect! She hoped the snowstorm wouldn’t spoil her first-ever Solstice Party.

DING-DONG! 

“It’s Mateo!” yelled Amelie’s little sister, Camille.

“I brought hot chocolate with cinnamon and chiles. It’ll heat you up, inside and out!” 

“Great!” Amelie set the drinks down by her nine cookies. Wait, nine? But before she could investigate… 

DING-DONG!

Faith and Mei dropped their dumplings near the seven cookies. “If anyone is cold, dumplings were invented as frostbite medicine,” chirped Mei, running off with Camille.

DING-DONG!

Rory, Lachlan, and Fiona tramped in with Scottish biscuits. “Good thing we brought enough to go ‘round,” said Lachlan, eyeing the plate of four cookies. 

Amelie kept holding the door. Ayo, Olumide, Jelani, and Tobi shook off their winter gear. “Nigerian doughnuts,” Ayo declared. “Thankfully Auntie was snowed in with us!”

Amelie surveyed the impressive scene: hot chocolate, dumplings, biscuits, doughnuts… an empty plate!? 

“It’s not the Solstice without my cookies! I made a dozen snowflakes,” Amelie moaned. “One for each of us.” 

“We’re only ten,” said Rory, counting heads. 

“Then we’re missing two… suspects!” Faith declared, hunting for Mei and Camille. 

The kids burst into Camille’s room. 

“Welcome to my Solstice Tea Party!” Camille grinned. The snowflake cookies were sitting in a circle with an array of stuffies. “I have enough for each of you!”

Amelie relaxed. “You planned this for us? How kind.” 

Camille beamed. Everyone found a spot. “To friends and the Solstice!” they toasted.

Hush! Hammock #FallWritingFrenzy

This is my second year participating in Kaitlyn Sanchez’s Fall Writing Frenzy. (You can read all about this year’s contest here.) The challenge is to write a 200-word or less Fall-themed kidlit story based on one of the photographs chosen for the contest. Last year I wrote what felt like a section from a middle grade fantasy quest novel, The Road Ahead. It was a fun departure for me, so I was excited to see what this year’s images would inspire.

Because I love writing stories set in the deep past, I prefer images without people or obviously-modern scenes. That eliminated most of the photographs for this year, so instead I went more for vibes and settled on this image. I hope you enjoy my hammock-inspired board book!

Hush! Hammock

By: Katie McEnaney (c) 2023. 66 words.

One Grandpa sleeping. Sway, sway, snore!
Two legs tiptoeing. Hush, hush, creep!
Three bees flying. Buzz, buzz, look!
Four flowers swaying. Swish, swish, wow!  
Five fingers plucking. Grab, grab, sniff!
Six legs landing. Tap, tap, sip!
Seven seconds passing. Stare, stare, sting!
Eight tears falling. Ouch, ouch, owieeeeee!
Nine hugs given. Squeeze, squeeze, kiss.
Ten hammock pushes. Sway, sway, snore!
One toddler sleeping. Hush, hush… sleep!

Faster, Higher, Stronger #SunWriteFun

Happy summer and happy #SunWriteFun! This annual writing contest, hosted by Karen M. Greenwald is a celebration of nonfiction (and info fiction) in 200 words or less. The theme this year was “Dreams.” You can read all the details – as well as the entries – here.

Faster, Higher, Stronger

(c) 2023 by Katie McEnaney
195 words

The cage jostled. Peristerá’s wing bumped the side. Her keen pigeon magnetic sense knew that this was the furthest she had ever traveled.

But why…

You can read the whole story in Clio’s Curious Dash Through Time!

A Bit of Back Matter

Ok, so #SunWriteFun didn’t allow for art notes (PS this is set in 776 BCE) or back matter, but especially with informational fiction, I wanted a chance to share a little about what we *do* know about this story.

Fact: The first Olympics (as defined by archaeologists and historians) took place in 776 BCE in the city-state of Olympia in ancient Greece. There was probably only one event – a foot race – and it was won by a man named Koroibos, a cook from the city-state of Elis.

Fact: The Greeks were one of several ancient civilizations that used homing pigeons to send important messages. Pigeons did report on the winner(s) of the Olympics.

Implication: Because homing pigeons only fly back to their own loft, this meant that every potential Olympian would have to have brought their own homing pigeons with them *in case* they were the winner! It was this idea (plus the theme of ‘dreams’) that made me think about all those poor homing pigeons who had to travel back from Olympia in their crates with no news to bring home.

Fact: Citius, Altius, Fortius (Faster, Higher, Stronger) is the Olympic motto of the modern Olympics and was added in 1924.

Opinion: I find it very amusing that the motto is in Latin despite the Olympics beginning in ancient Greece.

Question: What do you wonder about homing pigeons or the ancient Olympics?