GENRE: STEM/STEAM, Humor, SEL
WORDS: 465
Query:
Dear Judges, Agents and Editors:
Thank you for taking part in PBParty, and for considering my entry, a modern-day myth about the moon:
Moon was small, compared to some of the heavenly bodies. And she was always getting bossed around. One day Moon rebelled. She snuggled in bed and wouldn’t get up to pull Earth’s tides. Universe tried everything, including bribery, but Moon stamped her foot (not a real foot, you knew that). Because this was THE DAY MOON SAID NO.
Aimed at 3-to-7-year-olds, this 465-word story combines lyrical writing and humor. Kids and parents alike will relate to the struggle between Universe and Moon. And the takeaway is subversive: Obedience isn’t always the best reason to comply. Moon finds better ones.
THE DAY MOON SAID NO fits well with other moon-related fiction, and also with stories about stubborn, strong-willed kids. Moon’s Ramadan (Khan Kazi), with beautiful depictions of the moon looking down at us, meets No! Never! (Hathorn, Hathorn-Jarman, Pearce), about a girl who won’t obey. The story also has secondary STEM elements, with echoes of the popular non-fiction book, Moon! Earth’s Best Friend (McAnulty/Lewis). Extra touches include the breaking of the fourth wall and a literary reference (to Goodnight Moon) for even the youngest reader.
A Canadian writer, I belong to both SCBWI and CANSCAIP and have several polished manuscripts on hand. I have recently received an Arts grant from my province, Nova Scotia, to write a picture book trilogy about lighthouse children.
I appreciate your time and consideration.
Excerpt:
Moon was small
compared to some of the heavenly bodies.
But oh, the chores she had!
Light a path for these travellers.
And these.
And pull the tides.
Pulling Earth’s tides was a big job.
“I work as hard as the moons of Jupiter!”
Moon complained. “All 95 of them!”
She had counted, for she was good at math,
having practiced her fractions since the day she was born.
What inspired you to write this story & what do you have in common with it:
As a child—and even since—I’ve found it magical and wonderful to think of the moon controlling Earth’s tides. I wanted to write a book that would present this as a fact, but approach it in a fictional and fanciful way. When Universe took on the character of a frustrated parent, I could really relate! I, too, once stooped to bribery and threats. And my daughter, like Moon, saw through them readily. During the writing process, I fell in love with the idea of creating modern moon myths for children; I have made notes toward two sequels.
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