PBParty Entry #5 : Mail Hugs: How One Little Boy Inspired A Community

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GENRE: Character Driven, Contemporary, Informational Fiction

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WORDS: 532

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Query:

Dear PBParty Judges, Editors and Agents,

When writing-obsessed Tucker runs out of people to write to, he takes on a new mission: mailing letters to service members. But as he wonders if any one reads his letters, a heartfelt thank-you arrives from overseas. It is just the inspiration Tucker needs to rally the community to his cause: a Christmas Card Challenge. Based on a North Carolina boy who showed the world that kids can be heroes too.

I’m thrilled to offer my informational picture book Mail Hugs: How One Little Boy Inspired A Community, a 532 word story based on real life, Tucker Rose, of Sneads Ferry, North Carolina. With full permission from the Rose family, I’ve blended Tucker’s heartfelt journey to inspire young readers to pick up a pencil and send a meaningful message of thanks. Mail Hugs compares to James’ Reading Rescue and Just One Pebble as both are based on real-life kid heroes.

I have been freelance writing for many years, including specializing in School News for various newspapers. This experience helped me with my research and interview of the Rose family. I am a member of SCBWI, a founding member of two critique groups, and I am a gold member of 12×12. When not creating stories, I can be found camping on the beach, improving my golf game, or judging at bbq tournaments.

Thank you for your consideration.

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Excerpt:

Tucker sharpened his favorite pencil to the hum of helicopters from the nearby base. He started his favorite activity: writing.
He wrote to his Grandma for her birthday. He wrote to his best friend and invited him to play. He wrote to a sick neighbor.
Soon, Tucker ran out of people to write to. He sat and stared at a blank piece of paper. Who needed a letter?

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What inspired you to write this story & what do you have in common with it:

I first learned about 9-year-old Tucker Rose from my local news channel and was immediately moved by his dedication. He had written over 2,000 letters to deployed soldiers, proving that small acts of kindness can have a big impact. Tucker’s story inspired me to write Mail Hugs to encourage children to use their words to spread kindness, just like I try to do with my own stories.