Thanks for stopping by my blog, Big Kids Writing for Little Kids! It's been a while since I posted so I thought I'd update you on what's new.

To close out this crazy and unprecedented year, I'll be taking some time to highlight my fellow kidlit creators who are working their tails off to birth their beautiful book babies into the world.  With this in mind, beginning in October, I'll be starting a new series titled, "Rising Stars in KidLit". Every Monday, I'll feature a new kidlit creator so we can get to know more about them and their special projects. These interviews will cast a light on the wonderful work of these pre-published, unagented, authors and author-illustrators who are destined to be stars!

​Stay tuned for our first interview on Monday, October 5th! Make sure to subscribe below to get updates on the latest new feature! I can't wait to share their awesomeness with all of you! :)  

Art Licensing Show & Greeting Card Association

THE CHALLENGE 

ART: Any kind or message, focused on the text, but include art as well. Art does not have to be new, but it does have to fit the greeting card theme.
THEME: The theme is BRIDGING THE DISTANCE. Anything you would send to a friend to encourage them as they shelter-in-place and carry on with life. (i.e. We are all in this together. Thinking of You. Sending Virtual Hugs. Etc…). We want to encourage people to send greeting cards to stay in touch.
SIZE: Create art so it looks good in a vertical Instagram Story context as well as cropped into a square in case it gets chosen for the feed or gallery. Recommended size is a 4:5 ratio - 1080 x 1350px.
CREDIT: Put your name on the piece somewhere so people can easily tag you. Don’t make it so big that it takes over the piece.

TO SUBMIT: Check out https://artlicensingshow.com/bridge/ 


See below for my entry :) Sending BEAR HUGS around the world!

So excited to participate in this year's Spring Fling Kidlit Contest! 

Rules of the contest: Write a 150-word story geared towards children ages 12 or under. Choose a gif to inspire your story or create one yourself.
​Check out the full rules on Kaitlyn Leann Sanchez and Ciara O'Neal's blogs.
Thanks for hosting!! 

Here's my entry titled, CHANCE TO FLY. I've been finding bits of joy in the life and growth I'm seeing in nature lately. I also love butterflies and am drawn to the symbolism in their transformation. During these tough times, I keep coming back to the thought that each of us, in our own way, are currently going through a metamorphosis. And when we come out of our chrysalis of self-isolation, we will surely be changed. Nevertheless, just as the caterpillar, we WILL emerge, and our chance to fly awaits. 
 

Chance to Fly
By Amanda Davis
​Word Count 81

​Squishy. 
Squirmy.
Sliding.
Swiftly.
Up and down the branch. 
 
Fully grown. 
Fully stuffed. 
Milkweed to the brim.  
Searching for the perfect spot,  
To craft his chrysalis. 
 
Colored. 
Critter. 
Cruising.
Calmly. 
Climbing to and fro. 
 
Head is up. 
Gaze is straight. 
Eyes are on the prize.
Until he finally sees, 
A leaf as green as lime.  
 
Lucky. 
Larva. 
Leggies. 
Latch. 
To the limey leaf.
 
He spits silk. 
Spins his nest.  
Hanging way up high. 
Rapid metamorphosis, 
At last, his chance to fly. 
​


Words and Art on this website © 2020 Amanda Davis Art 

I'm so excited to have won Honorable Mention in Vivian Kirkfield's #50PreciousWords Contest. It's always great to practice writing a whole story in just 50 words, especially when the average word length for picture books is getting shorter and shorter. 

GUIDELINES FOR #50PRECIOUSWORDS: Write a story appropriate for kids ages 12 or under, that has a total word count of 50 or less. More about the contest can be found on Vivian's blog.

Here is my Honorable Mention entry...an ode to my childhood dog, Sarah, our sweet Cocker Spaniel who lived to be 17 years young.  She filled our lives with laughter, loyalty, and love.  She enjoyed walks on the beach, any and all food, and a good old-fashioned snuggle. We had to say goodbye to our sweet girl the day after Christmas 2019. It was one of the hardest things I have yet to do. We miss you and love you, Sarah. 

"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains unawakened." ~ Anatole France


One Last Time
By Amanda Davis
Word Count 48
​
Sit.
Wait.
Nervous.
Cold.
Doctors.
Options.
The decision is clear.
I breathe in your soft, black coat.
Twelve years of sweetness.
My fingers trace the contours of your snout.
Twelve years of memories.
One last kiss.
One last hug.
Your eyes close.
I whisper goodbye.
One last time.


Words and Art on this website © 2020 Amanda Davis Art
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