Author: Daniella Kaufman

Into the Mist

| Daniella Kaufman

Entry for the 2025 Fall Writing Frenzy Contest hosted by Kaitlyn Sanchez (@KaitlynLeann17) and Lydia Lukidis (@LydiaLukidis).

The Challenge: Write a poem, story, or mood piece (in 200 words or less) inspired by one of the provided fall-themed pictures.

Image: #10 | Credit: Pexels via Vlad Bagacian

Into the Mist
By Daniella Kaufman
WC: 155


Creak!
Take a peek. All the monsters are gone.
Those shrieks? They’re the squeaks of a settling house.
A skittering shadow is only a mouse.
With sensible answers, we sleep until dawn. . .
The monsters slip into the mist.

Splash!
Swim the surf. There’s no merfolk to fear.
The tides do not hide their bewitching sea song.
Biologists say they were seals all along.
Through science, the sirens of lore disappear. . .
Their hums drift away in the mist.

Whoosh!
Tread the trails to secluded locations.
A breeze is the reason the trees sigh and sway.
Peculiar plants are not portals for fae.
The wonders of nature now come with citations. . .
Will every myth cease to exist?

Stop!
Do not think of the places they hide.
Leave them in stories—still here, but not quite.
Yet, even though reason keeps shining its light,
despite feeling fright, for one night, we decide. . .
to wander again in the mist.

Want to join the fun next year?

SNAP THE DRAGON

| Daniella Kaufman

Entry for Kaitlyn Leann Sanchez and Ciara O’Neal’s 2025 Spring Fling Writing Contest.

Contest Rules: Choose a spring-themed .gif to inspire a 150 word (or less) story/poem for kids ages 12 or under. For more information, check out this FAQ page.

Source: https://tenor.com/view/dragonite-pokemon-gif-18130239

Fresh Fact!
While Snap’s “no-sneeze” flower is made of paper, real snapdragons are allergy-friendly too, thanks to their tightly closed petals that trap pollen inside.

“SNAP THE DRAGON”
By Daniella Kaufman
WC: 149

Snap the dragon, gruff and bold,
despises springtime!! (so I’m told)
He’ll scorn a sprout,
with wrinkled snout.
Harumph and sneer
at blossoms near.            
Weeds that grow within his yard,
incinerated!! Roasted! Charred!

But as I pass his home one spring,
I see him do the strangest thing.
He lifts a sprout
beneath his snout,
inhales a whiff
SNIFFLE . . . SNIFF . . .
His lips recoil. Talons thrash.
AH—CHOOOO! The plant is burned to ash.

Snap likes spring! His nose does not.
I wave, while dodging blazing snot.
“Snap!” I yelp
“I’d like to help.”
He huffs a sigh.
“You can try.”
I ask for paper, bright and bold,
to crease and crinkle, tuck and fold.

Finally, I shape a bloom,
enhanced with dabs of sweet perfume.
He takes a whiff
SNIFFLE . . . SNIFF . . .
AH—HA!! HEHE!
He roars with glee.
“What is this plant with no-sneeze power?”
“Call it ‘Snap, the dragon’s flower’.”

Want to join the fun next year?
• Visit Kaitlyn Leann Sanchez and Ciara O’Neal’s blogs for the #SpringFlingKidlit contest information (and more!)
• While you’re there, be sure to check out the amazing list of 2025 Prize Donors!

THE LAST GIFT

| Daniella Kaufman

Entry for Susanna Leonard Hill’s 14th annual 2024 Holiday Writing Contest

Rules: Write a maximum 250 word children’s holiday story (children here defined as age 12 and under) about a Holiday Mystery!

THE LAST GIFT
By Daniella Kaufman
Word Count: 249

The sleigh was parked. The sun had set.
But Christmas wasn’t over yet.
A gift remained for Santa’s elves.
The last of all upon the shelves.
Mysterious and wrapped just so—
What could it be? They had to know!

The gift was stamped with Santa’s seal.
“Don’t Peek!” it warned in curly teal.
So Holly hugged the box and swayed
to listen to the noise it made.
Her pointy ears picked up the sound—
THUNK. THUNK. THUNK.
“I think a doll is rolling ‘round!”

Up next came Tinker, tools in tow.
He eyed the gift and chimed, “I know!”
He flipped the box to analyze
dimensions, weight, and ribbon size.
New noises sounded each rotation—
KER-PLUNK. KER-PLUNK. KER-PLUNK.
“Conclusion: Mugs for elf hydration!”

Last came Jingle, bold and spry,
a glint of mischief in his eye.
He spun the box atop his thumb.
Rap-tappy-tapped it like a drum.
Then pressed the present to his ear—
CLICK-I-TY. CLICK-I-TY. CLICK-I-TY.
“A thousand blocks! The answer’s clear!”

When Santa called, “The wait is through!
Unwrap the present saved for you!”
the elves rejoiced and rushed with glee
to open up the gift to see
a doll? Or mugs? Or blocks? No! It’s . . .
GASP. GASP. GASP.
a chocolate Santa!! . . . cracked to bits.

“Oh deer! Snow way!” The three elves cried.
But Santa winked and soon replied,
“Ho-Ho! I see this tasty treat
has been prepared for us to eat!”
The elves all grinned and shared a bite.
The final gift of Christmas night.

Where The Wind Blows

| Daniella Kaufman

Entry for Susanna Leonard Hill’s 2024 Halloweensie Contest

Contest: write a 100 word Halloween story appropriate for children (children here defined as 12 and under) (title not included in word count) using the words tiptoe, goblin, and chill.

WHERE THE WIND BLOWS
By Daniella Kaufman
Word Count: 99

On Halloween, when darkness falls
and clouds eclipse the moon’s faint light,
the wind sweeps in, a ghostly whisper,
guiding creatures through the night.

It stirs a chilly breath of air,
so branches bend to point the way
and fall leaves tiptoe down the street—
“Come follow us!” they seem to say.

A gust swoops down a winding path
to flicker pumpkins’ eerie glow.
The fairies gasp! The goblins shriek!
But follow where the breezes blow.

It shakes a door, which opens wide
to welcome trick-or-treating cheers!
The wind then whistles with delight,
wanes to a wisp, and disappears.

SPRINKLE’s COOKIE COUNTDOWN

| Daniella Kaufman

Entry for Susanna Hill’s Holiday Competition. SPRINKLE’S COOKIE COUNTDOWN received an All-Around Honorable Mention!

Rules: Entry must be 250 words or less, have a full plot arc which incorporates a countdown, and be appropriate for ages 12 and under.

SPRINKLE’S COOKIE COUNTDOWN
By Daniella Kaufman
WC 249

A baking elf named Sprinkle makes
the Cookie Countdown treats
to help the elves reach Christmas day
with energizing sweets.

“Just five more days of recipes,”
he notes when . . . HO-HO-NO!!
He spies his best ingredients
discarded in the snow!

Poor Sprinkle shakes in shock until
he finds a nibbled note.
“Apologies! Your food was found
by Santa’s flying goat.”

The nutmeg—munched! The ginger—crunched!
There’s drool on candy canes.
But hungry elves are waiting, so
he checks what food remains.

“It’s better not to shout or cry,”
says Sprinkle. “I am bright!
I’ll whip up five new cookies that . . .
I hope will taste alright.”

For cookie five, he sends the elves
a pickle pop creation.
The tangy popcorn blend becomes
a winning combination!

For cookie four, he adds a dash
of mustard sugar plums.
Though not a tempting color, still
the elves hum, “Yum, yum, yums!”

For cookies number three and two,
he scatters carrot curls
atop some figgy pudding bars
and pasta frosting swirls.

Each elven step has extra pep!
They zip to fill the sleigh
while chewing scrumptious daily bites
till, YAY, it’s Christmas Day!

A final cookie will complete
the North Pole’s celebration.
And Sprinkle twinkles as he shares
his greatest innovation.

He serves a recipe that reads,
“This Christmas, WE will bake
a tasty pastry that is mixed
with memories we make.”

Together, elves (and flying goats)
blend fun and festive flavor
to end the Cookie Countdown with
a sweetness all will savor.

LUCKY PENNY

| Daniella Kaufman

Entry for Susanna Hill’s Halloweensie competition. LUCKY PENNY received an All Around Honorable Mention!

Rules:

LUCKY PENNY
by Daniella Kaufman
WC: 100

On Halloween, a full moon’s glow
makes children wary if they know
the superstition that this light
lets inner werewolves out tonight.
But Penny is a girl with pluck.
“I’ll block the curse with lots of luck!”
She lights the pumpkins. Hugs a cat.
Hooks horseshoes round her pointy hat.
Then knocks on gravestones. Makes a wish—
by tossing treats into a dish.
Her plan complete, despite her fright,
she steps into the full moonlight.
No fur. No fangs. No canine feet.
“Success! It’s time to trick-or-treat!”
Away she goes. No wolf in sight.
Just howling laughter fills the night.

FOR NOW

| Daniella Kaufman

Entry for the 2023 Fall Writing Frenzy Contest hosted by Kaitlyn Sanchez (@KaitlynLeann17) and
guest judges Ameerah Holliday (@Ms_Holliday93) & Ebony Lynn Mudd (@ebonylynnmudd).

The Challenge: Write a poem, story, or mood piece (in 200 words or less) inspired by one of the provided fall-themed pictures.

Image: #8 | Credit: Photo by Benjamin Suter on Pexels.com

FOR NOW
by Daniella Kaufman
WC: 177 Image: #8


Sky is blue.
Tree is green.

But when the sun’s hazy glow skims the horizon,
Sky is saturated in orange, pink, and violet.
Tree is. . . still green.

Tree looks up to Sky and envy takes root. “You’re so vibrant.”
“For now,” Sky replies. “But you are also vibrant.”
“I’m just green,” sighs Tree.
“For now,” Sky repeats.

Days grow
                  shorter,
            crisper,
      colder.

Tree’s green gradually recedes and new hues flourish!
Leaves blaze
      ruby,
            amber,
                  and gold.

Tree flutters its foliage and marvels at its colorful canopy. “I’m like your sunset!”
“For now,” Sky replies warmly, “you are.”

Days grow
                  shorter,
            colder still.
      Frost nips.

One by one, Tree’s leaves fade and fall.
Barren branches droop. “My sunset is gone.”
“For now,” Sky replies soothingly, “you are like my night.”

Days grow
      longer,
            lighter,
                  warmer.

While gazing at Sky’s sunrise, Tree suddenly notices tiny buds dotting its arms. Baby leaves soon unfold. Did their green always burst so brightly?

Tree happily fluffs the fresh growth and waves skyward.
“Tree is green again,” Sky observes.
“For now,” Tree replies.

Want to join the fun next year?

Tricky Trout

| Daniella Kaufman

Entry for 2023 KIDLIT VIBES writing contest for PB authors.

Spin the WHEEL OF FEELS to receive a vibe word that must be captured in a 125 words (or less) entry geared towards a 12 years and under audience.

My Vibe: MISCHIEVIOUS

TRICKY TROUT
by Daniella Kaufman
Word Count: 118

A glint. A WHISH. There goes a fish!
It’s Finn the tricky trout.
He’s clever! Quick! Bold and slick
when other fish feel doubt.

Finn slyly glides until he spies
a hook that catches fish.
His school of trout shout, “Swim away!”
But Finn just smirks and. . .SWISH!

He dives to dig through sediment.
Retrieves a plastic cup.
Then taps the hook. It snags his bait
and WHOOSH the cup goes up!

PLIP-PLOP! The hook appears again.
He loads a nylon tote.
Soon all the litter loot is gone!
Fin surfaces to gloat.

A voice explodes, “That tricky trout!!!”
Finn adds a taunting splash.
When fish ask, why? Finn winks an eye.
“Just taking out the trash.”

Shadow Art

| Daniella Kaufman

Entry for Vivian Kirkfield’s 2023 50 Precious Words Competition. SHADOW ART received an Honorable Mention for “Imagination”.

Rules: Must be 50 words or less, have a full plot arc, and be appropriate for ages 12 and under.

Shadow Art
By Daniella Kaufman
Word Count: 49

Wide awake as darkness crawls
painting shadows on my walls.

Quick! Before I start to fret
redesign their silhouette.

Trace their edges. Find their source.
Gather shapes and plot a course.

Add a circle. Stack a square.
Hang triangles over there.

Reimagine every part.
Goodnight walls with shadow art.