Author Archives: Susanne Whitehouse

Valentiny Short Story Contest 2022

It’s time again for a short story contest with author and blogger, Susanna Leonard Hill. The 7th annual Valentiny Contest is to write a Valentine’s story for children that is 214 words or less. This time the story needs to include someone who is proud. Here is my entry:   The Mural 214 words Gwendolyn […]

Storystorm 2022

Storystorm 2022 is underway! The challenge? 30 story ideas in the 31 days of January. I’ve been participating every year since 2013 and it never disappoints. The daily blog posts by authors, illustrators, and others in the book biz will inspire you to write down story ideas you didn’t even know were in that beautiful […]

Valentiny Contest 2021

It’s been a few years since I joined in the fun with children’s author and blogger, Susanna Leonard Hill and her Valentine’s Day story contest. This “Valentiny” story must be for children (hence the tiny part) and super short … only 214 words or less (for February 14th!). This year’s entries must include a character who […]

My FIRST Publication in a Children’s Magazine!

I’ve known for several months, but didn’t want to make an announcement until I could actually hold the magazine in my hands. Well, guess what arrived in the mail? The February 2021 issue of BABYBUG magazine … with a four page spread of my poem! AND it is illustrated by the talented Jaimie MacGibbon (jaimiemacgibbon.com & […]

Storystorm 2021

31 days, 31 guest posts, 30 story ideas. And, of course, one wacky and wonderful hostess with the mostest, Tara Lazar! Tara is an author and the creator of Storystorm (formerly known as PiBoIdMo – Picture Book Idea Month). She has been running this gig since 2009 and always makes it worthwhile. This is my […]

2021 Newbery and Caldecott Medal Winners

This morning, I watched the American Library Youth Media Awards live from the comfort of home (where we are all spending most of our time these days!). Some of the prestigious awards given out each year by the ALA are the Coretta Scott King Awards, the Theodore Seuss Geisel Award, and of course, the Newbery […]

#HomeHaiku Challenge Winners!

For NATIONAL HAIKU POETRY DAY last week, I challenged you to write #HomeHaiku poems about your time at home during this quarantine and you did not disappoint! Here are my two favorites made into fun graphics. Enjoy! “Zoom” by Patty S. in MD: “QuaranTine with T’s” by Scott R. in VA  

National Haiku Day Challenge

Today is NATIONAL HAIKU DAY! A haiku is a form of Japanese poetry. Haikus do NOT rhyme and are made up of 3 lines with 5 syllables, 7 syllables, and 5 syllables.  I’m celebrating NATIONAL HAIKU POETRY DAY with a challenge.  This is for kids, parents, teachers, or anyone that wants to try their hand at […]

I Heart Books

It’s been weeks (months???) of this quarantine and I’m sure everyone is struggling with their new routines, or lack thereof. I’m finding myself spending lots of time in front of a screen, between my grad school work, my elementary school library stuff, and helping my children with their schoolwork. Starting and ending my day with […]