Elaine Kiely Kearns
  • NOAH NOASAURUS by Elaine Kiely Kearns illustrated by Colin Jack
  • Blog Posts
  • Critique Services
  • About
  • We're Celebrating KidLit411!
  • Contact
  • SCHOOL VISITS

'Twas The Stormy Night Before Christmas...

12/7/2014

72 Comments

 
Picture
It's time for Susanna Leonard Hill's 4th Annual Holiday Contest!  


**** Update- my entry snagged 2nd place***




The Contest:  Write a children's story (children here defined as approximately age 12 and under) in which wild weather impacts the holidays!  Your story may be poetry or prose, silly or serious or sweet, religious or not, based on Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or whatever you celebrate, but is not to exceed 350 words. 


Intrigued? Susanna has a great blog and everyone who writes picture books MUST visit! Go here to get in on all the fun---> www.susannaleonardhill.com
Here is my entry!


'TWAS THE STORMY NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS


'Twas the night before Christmas and out on the street,

the snow was still piling and mixing with sleet.

My siblings all blubbered and cried in despair,

“How can Saint Nicholas fly through this air?"

The wind was so wicked, the rain turned to ice,

Dad struggled to shovel the walk and failed twice.

Mom bundled inside her wool mittens and cap

and yelled at poor Dad for attempting to nap.

The fire had dwindled, the power was out,

I walked around saying, “Don’t cry and don’t pout”

Life is too grueling without any power-

the water's so cold that we can’t even shower!

Then all of a sudden we heard a small noise --

had Santa arrived with all of our toys?

I ran to the window and threw up the sash,

(secretly hoping he brought me some cash)

but what to my wondering eyes should appear?

This was no Santa, no magic reindeer!`

Just a little old driver, so lively and quick,

I knew right away, it was Snow-Plow guy, Nick.

Faster than sleigh rides, he plowed all the snow,

and just as he turned and got ready to go,

we heard a small ding, then a buzz and a beep!

The power came on- I wanted to weep!

On laptop! On lights! On Christmas tree, too!

On microwave -- please now, let's warm up that stew!

Now Santa could land his red sleigh in our road,

and without any trouble, go in our abode.

And as I turned into my bed for the night,

“Merry Christmas,” I whispered. “Thank goodness for light!”











272 Words











72 Comments
Tracey M. Cox link
12/8/2014 03:45:57 am

Elaine,
I love your play on this classic story!
You had me laughing with all the turning on of things!!!!

Reply
Elaine Kiely Kearns link
12/8/2014 03:55:56 am

Thanks, Tracey! You should see how I react when MY power comes back on! :)

Reply
melissa
12/8/2014 04:58:43 am

Love this! Thank goodness for snow plow guy, Nick!

Reply
Elaine Kiely Kearns link
12/8/2014 07:10:48 am

Thanks, Melissa! Thanks goodness for Nick, indeed! :)

Reply
Kathy Halsey
12/8/2014 07:17:26 am

So appropriate for what the East has been through already. Love the spin-off and the happy ending. Fun to read and great rhymes. Good luck, Elaine.

Reply
Elaine Kiely Kearns link
12/8/2014 07:34:18 am

Thanks. Kathy! There is more bad weather is on the way! Boo!

Reply
Teresa Robeson link
12/8/2014 07:38:50 am

Well, you already know I adore this and had a great time reading it, hon! *mwah* xoxo

Reply
Elaine Kiely Kearns link
12/8/2014 08:05:46 am

Awww, I just love you to bits! xo

Reply
Patricia Tilton link
12/8/2014 09:05:47 am

I like the snow plow twist and your high tech images. Clever and adorable.

Reply
Elaine Kiely Kearns link
12/8/2014 12:59:24 pm

Thank you for your kind words, Patricia!

Reply
Kristi Veitenheimer link
12/8/2014 09:06:31 am

Oh, I absolutely love this!

Reply
Elaine Kiely Kearns link
12/8/2014 01:02:47 pm

Aww, thanks, Kristi!

Reply
Ariel link
12/8/2014 09:27:17 am

Such a wonderful story! I loved reading it :) There will probably be a lot of families relating to it this December!

Reply
Elaine Kiely Kearns link
12/8/2014 01:01:52 pm

Thanks, Ariel! I know we will be dreading "the power outage!"

Reply
Cheryl link
12/8/2014 12:47:03 pm

This was wonderful, Elaine! Love the twist on the original poem. Very clever. I really enjoyed it. Well done!

Reply
Elaine Kiely Kearns link
12/8/2014 01:00:48 pm

Thank you so much Cheryl!

Reply
Linda Schueler link
12/8/2014 01:20:22 pm

What a great, modern twist on a classic. Hilarious!

Reply
Elaine Kiely Kearns link
12/8/2014 01:25:29 pm

Thanks so much, Linda!

Reply
Pamela Courtney
12/8/2014 01:32:34 pm

Oh boy I am so glad I stopped by to read your story. It was so funny and so well done. An amazingly original idea on an old classic favorite. I marvel at folks like you that have the gift to write like this. Well done. Well done indeed.

Reply
Elaine Kiely Kearns link
12/8/2014 11:37:30 pm

Pamela, thank you so much for your kind words! You're so sweet! :)

Reply
Robyn Campbell link
12/8/2014 01:43:34 pm

LOVE IT, Elaine. What a fantastical read. I love "I walked around saying, “Don’t cry and don’t pout” hehehe, made me giggle. The twist is the best I've seen. You're a genius, you know that right? :-) XOXOXOXOXOXO

Reply
Elaine Kiely Kearns link
12/8/2014 11:38:49 pm

You're so great for my confidence! I love you so much, Robyn. Best. Friend. Ever! xoxoxoxoxoxo

Reply
Tina Cho link
12/8/2014 04:09:32 pm

Awesome story, Elaine. So funny!

Reply
Elaine Kiely Kearns link
12/8/2014 11:39:34 pm

Thank you, Tina! Thanks for stopping by! :)

Reply
Sylvia Liu link
12/9/2014 12:33:00 am

So fun and so topical. Our house would be in a panic too if we weren't plugged into the grid.

Reply
Elaine Kiely Kearns link
12/9/2014 01:06:33 am

We go crazy, Sylvia! What did we ever do before electricity?

Reply
Johnell link
12/9/2014 01:40:09 am

Oh very cute. Love the Snow-plow guy.

Reply
Elaine Kiely Kearns link
12/9/2014 06:59:53 am

Thanks, Johnell!

Reply
Linda Boyden link
12/9/2014 03:18:56 am

Clement Moore would be delighted with your play on his classic! Well done.

Reply
Elaine Kiely Kearns link
12/9/2014 07:01:58 am

Thanks, Linda!

Reply
Teresa MI Schaefer link
12/9/2014 09:29:48 am

Terrific rendition, Elaine. I totally heard the power come on -- a small ding, then a buzz, then a beep -- made me laugh!

Reply
Elaine Kiely Kearns link
12/9/2014 10:29:15 am

Thank you so much, Teresa!

Reply
Alayne Kay Christian link
12/9/2014 11:18:51 am

As you know, I love this story. What a fun retelling. What kid doesn't love the adventure of a blackout, and then throw in the tension of waiting for Santa to arrive . . . maybe - perfect! Nice job, E.

Reply
Elaine Kiely Kearns link
12/9/2014 12:30:09 pm

Love you. You're the sweetest. xo

Reply
Shannon Marrs link
12/9/2014 02:18:04 pm

Great rhyming - loved it :)

Reply
Elaine Kiely Kearns link
12/9/2014 10:38:45 pm

Thanks you, Shannon!

Reply
Christie Allred link
12/10/2014 03:20:25 am

Snow-plow guy, Nick! Ha! What a creative, modern take on a traditional poem. Good luck in the contest. :D

Reply
Elaine Kiely Kearns
12/10/2014 09:01:44 am

Thank for your kind words, Christie! Thanks for stopping by!

Reply
Catherine Johnson link
12/10/2014 05:05:55 am

I love the realistic setting and snow plow Nick - genius!

Reply
Elaine Kiely Kearns
12/10/2014 09:02:54 am

Thank you , Catherine! I LOVED your poem! (Truly, truly!) beautiful rhyme and clever text! It was fabulous! :)

Reply
Kimberly
12/10/2014 06:24:52 am

Very well done! I've always wanted to attempt to do a story like this but have never been brave enough to try. Great job!

Reply
Elaine Kiely Kearns
12/10/2014 09:04:08 am

Thanks, Kimberly! That is the beauty of Susanna's contests, right? They get us out of our comfort zone! Thanks for stopping by and for your sweet comments!

Reply
Rachel Hamby link
12/10/2014 09:45:28 am

This is really cute! Good luck!

Reply
Elaine Kiely Kearns
12/13/2014 10:43:10 am

Thank you, Rachel!

Reply
Susanna Leonard Hill link
12/10/2014 01:22:49 pm

Hahaha! What a wonderful modern twist on the old tale, Elaine! You paint a very believable family picture of everyone's desperate need to always be powered up and ensuing grumpiness when the power is out :) And the line about Snow Plow guy Nick made me laugh out loud! :) Great job! Thanks so much for joining in the holiday fun!

Reply
Elaine Kiely Kearns link
12/10/2014 01:36:04 pm

Thank you so much, Susanna! I just couldn't resist entering your Holiday contest again this year! It's my annual challenge! Thanks for all that you do- it was fun!

Reply
Vivian Kirkfield link
12/10/2014 03:59:11 pm

Oh Elaine...you had me the moment they lost power...we lost ours the night before Thanksgiving...fortunately, we have a generator. 'On laptop, on microwave'...this was hilarious! Your rhyme was very well done...I truly enjoyed it. :) And I loved the snow plow guy, Nick. :)

Reply
Elaine Kiely Kearns link
12/13/2014 10:35:31 am

Oh, Vivian, thank you! You are a rhyme master, so I am flattered by the compliment! Susanna's contests are always so much fun, aren't they?

Reply
Stacy S. Jensen link
12/11/2014 03:55:49 am

Oh Elaine! I read this one out loud. I couldn't just read it to myself. The dogs enjoyed it too! Good luck with this one. Very fun. Very weather-y. Very twisty with Nick the snow plow guy!

Reply
Elaine Kiely Kearns link
12/13/2014 10:36:54 am

Thanks, Stacy! I'm glad your dogs enjoyed it, because mine has heard it so many times, she howls! Thanks for stopping by! ;)

Reply
Lynn A. Davidson link
12/11/2014 06:13:48 am

This is so funny, Elaine! Great rhythmic little story. :)

Reply
Elaine Kiely Kearns
12/15/2014 12:10:39 am

Thank you, Lynn!!

Reply
saranyan link
12/11/2014 11:17:45 pm

Nick, the snow plough guy! Nice. He could have been St. Nick himself. :)

Reply
Elaine Kiely Kearns
12/13/2014 10:41:26 am

Thanks, Saranyan, oh, but maybe he is! Merry Christmas! ;)

Reply
Margaret Greanias link
12/12/2014 09:06:52 am

Great take on 'Twas the Night before Christmas! Spot on rhyme, loved Snow Plow Guy Nick and on laptop! On lights! On Christmas tree! So funny!

Reply
Elaine Kiely Kearns
12/13/2014 10:40:27 am

Thank you so much, Margaret!

Reply
Carrie Charley Brown link
12/12/2014 03:16:20 pm

What a fun version of "Twas the Night Before...!" I think Snow Plow Guy Nick needs a story of his very own, too! Sequel! Sequel! Sequel! :) I'm impressed with your rhyme and meter! Go Elaine!

Reply
Elaine Kiely Kearns
12/13/2014 10:39:32 am

Thank you so much, Carrie! I owe the meter and rhyme to Renee's LaTulippe's class- it's amazing! I've learned so much!

Reply
Lauri Meyers link
12/13/2014 06:53:16 am

gotta love the snow plow driver Nick!

Reply
Elaine Kiely Kearns
12/13/2014 10:38:07 am

Thank you, Lauri!

Reply
Elaine Kiely Kearns
12/13/2014 10:37:33 am

Thank you, Lynn!

Reply
Cecilia Clark link
12/13/2014 07:42:28 pm

fabulous telling of that favourite old nut, modernised brilliantly

Reply
Elaine Kiely Kearns
12/14/2014 09:06:09 am

Thank you so much! You've just made my day, Cecilia!

Reply
Suzannah Hekel
12/14/2014 11:39:07 am

This story was really awesome, loved the rhyming!! :)

Reply
Elaine Kiely Kearns
12/14/2014 11:32:35 pm

Thanks, Suzannah!

Reply
Jilanne Hoffmann link
12/14/2014 06:28:45 pm

I love snow plow guy, Nick! Hilarious! Thank goodness for light! This is a terrific story. Good luck in the competition!

Reply
Elaine Kiely Kearns
12/14/2014 11:33:27 pm

Thanks, Jilanne!

Reply
Penny Parker Klostermann link
12/15/2014 12:04:32 am

Delightful with a capital D! Cute and funny and rhythmic! Loved this: Snow-Plow guy, Nick." Ha!

Reply
Elaine Kiely Kearns
12/15/2014 12:11:27 am

Thank you, Penny! That means a lot coming from a superstar author like you! :)

Reply
Bite Sized Bree link
12/18/2020 03:36:03 am

Your the besst

Reply
Robert Rivas link
10/21/2022 05:11:37 pm

Food figure tax body look although.
Letter house whose nor indeed something. Summer none or magazine government either reach less.

Reply
Aaron White link
10/28/2022 04:28:35 pm

Million himself only light identify maybe. Behind east show miss.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    children's author

    Founder KidLit411.com 

    Represented by Jonathan Rosen of the Seymour Agency.

    NOAH NOASAURUS illustrated by Colin Jack (Albert Whitman) NOW AVAILABLE!

    Picture

    Archives

    October 2018
    May 2015
    April 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014

    Categories

    All

    RSS Feed


    KidLit411.com

    The Blabbermouth Blog


    Dear Editor


    No Water River

    Children's Book Insider

    Flubs 2 Fixes
    Jane Friedman

    Jane Yolen's advice for writers

    The Lyrical Language Lab 

    Making Picture Book Magic 

    Picture Book Academy 

    The Purple Crayon: Writing, Illustrating, and Publishing Children's Books by Harold Underdown

    Robin Cruise


    Sylvia Liu Land

    Teresa Robeson

    Julie Hedlund's 12x12


    Society of Children's Writers and Illustrators - SCBWI


    Yvonne Mes
Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • NOAH NOASAURUS by Elaine Kiely Kearns illustrated by Colin Jack
  • Blog Posts
  • Critique Services
  • About
  • We're Celebrating KidLit411!
  • Contact
  • SCHOOL VISITS