GENRE: Humor, Informational Fiction
WORDS: 325
Author’s website
Query:
Dear PBParty judges, agents, and editors,
Thank you for participating in PBParty! I’m excited to share TRICERACHOPS, my humorous picture book complete at 325-words with possible back matter for children ages 4-8. TRICERACHOPS combines the mischievous main character of Norman Didn’t do It (Yes, he did.) by Ryan T. Higgins with humor infused facts and a whodunit mystery similar to that found in Poo-Dunit? A Forest Floor Mystery by Katelyn Aronson and Stephanie Laberis. A shorter version of this story was a winner in the KidLit Vibes Writing Contest ‘23.
Three Triceratops on a hill. Chomp. Gulp. Nom nom nom. Now there are none. Velociraptor says he didn’t eat them even though his mouth watered just looking at them. As the blame shifts from dino to dino, it’s clear that something’s afoot. Jurassic times call for Jurassic measures, and someone couldn’t resist triceraCHOPS… but who?
I developed my craft by being a member of SCBWI, Storyteller Academy, and attending writing conferences and classes. I keep an active online presence in the KidLit community through Twitter and participate in two critique groups. I have poems published in the Dirigible Balloon and Little Thoughts Press magazines. My work has received recognition in numerous writing contests. I was also selected as a 2024 Round Table Mentee by author Moniza Hossain. Before writing, I earned my Master of Education and taught third grade for seven years.
I have additional manuscripts I would be happy to share upon request, including a sequel to this story titled STEAKOSAURUS. Thank you for your time and consideration!
Excerpt:
Three Triceratops on a hill.
Chomp
Now there are two.
Velociraptor ate the Triceratops.
Velociraptor: Whoa whoa whoa… I did NOT eat the Triceratops, thank you very much.
Even though he looked delicious, and my mouth watered just looking at him. It was probably Brachiosaurus.
Brachiosaurus: No way, dude. I’m an herbivore.
Two Triceratops on a hill.
Gulp
Now there is one.
Velociraptor definitely ate the Triceratops.
What inspired you to write this story & what do you have in common with it:
I write humorous stories that sometimes have educational aspects to foster a love of reading and wonder in children. I wrote this story during Susanna Hill’s mix and match writing exercise and loved it so much, I entered it into the KidLit Vibes 2023 contest. It was one of the winning entries! I then expanded it into a full picture book. Like the culprit in this story, I may or may not have blamed others for snacks I’ve sneaked.
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