SpringFling KidLit Contest 2021

Source

Don’t Snore, Snowdrops (wc 141)

“Spring! Spring! Spring!” Little Snowdrop bounces in delight. “Let’s stand tall together, bright and beautiful!”

grumble slump go Snowdrop’s siblings.
“Shush Snowdrop.”
“It’s still snowy.”
“Let us sleep!”

“There’s so much sunshine!” Snowdrop glows with happiness.
Sun is just the thing to get everyone’s stalks standing straight.
But Snowdrop’s brothers pretend they can’t hear.

“The days are warmer!” Snowdrop shivers with excitement.
When the snow melts, their white tepals will be striking.
But Snowdrop’s sisters flap their leaves to shush her.

Snowdrop flutters in frustration.
It’s not time to slouch and sleep.
Spring is the time to drink deep of the melting snow and shining sun.
Spring is the time to grow!

What to do?

Snowdrop smiles.

“If we’re not standing tall soon they might
…mow the lawn.”

eek shriek
In a blink, a wink.
shimmy shake
They all stand together.


We know that flowers have petals, but that’s not the word Snowdrop uses.
Flowers are made of several types of parts.
One part is the petal. They are usually colorful and help bees and other pollinators find the plant.
Another part is the sepal. These are usually green and protect the petals before the flower opens.

Tepal is the word for when the petals and sepals look so much alike that it’s hard to tell them apart.
Flowers that have tepals include tulips, lilies, and snowdrops.
Flowers that have colorful petals and green sepals include dandelions, roses, and strawberries.


Many thanks to Ciara O’Neal and Kaitlyn Sanchez for hosting SpringFling KidLit Contest.

The rules for the entries are that it must be for children (12 and under), inspired by and include a Spring themed gif, and 150 or fewer words. Check out everyone’s fabulously springy entries here.

32 thoughts on “SpringFling KidLit Contest 2021

Add yours

  1. Katie!

    I enjoyed reading your delightful entry. I learned a new word—tepals.

    All the best.

    Suzy Leopold

    Like

  2. Such a complete and compelling story! Love how you incorporated so many elements in so few words. Also, wonderful explanation about the difference between petals and tepals. Yay backmatter !

    Like

  3. Love the story and the back matter. The solution for Snowdrop was perfect! Good luck. (And I couldn’t help but notice the double entendre of your reply to the last post. :-))

    Like

  4. Hi Katie! I love your ode to these hearty early flowers and Snowdrop trying to get her siblings to stand tall. The additional science you added here on your blog is a nice bonus, too. Thank you for commenting on Wiggle Room! Good luck this spring!

    Like

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