Contests
Picture Book Party Spring 2019
PBParty 7: A Flood of Kindness, PB Fiction
Title:
A Flood of Kindness
Genre:
Fiction Based on Fact
Word Count:
530
Query:

Dear Michelle,

When the river jumps its banks and forces itself into Charlotte’s house, her world is turned upside down. As she attempts to navigate life at the shelter, Charlotte focuses solely on her loss, until she is given something that helps her understand the healing power of kindness. Charlotte passes on a small act of kindness, and only then, does she realize that she is no longer devastated, but that her heart is flooded with hope.

Although A FLOOD OF KINDNESS is a fiction story, it is based upon fact. Having personally gone through three floods in less than three years, I feel uniquely qualified to tell this story. Aside from living through a similar scenario as my fictional Charlotte did, I taught many children who were displaced by flood waters and were struggling to see the world through hopeful eyes again.

There are other books on floods, however mine is different. The most recent book I found is an independently published book called H IS FOR HARVEY by Julie Beasley. Another very good book is FLOOD by Alvaro Villa. H IS FOR HARVEY is specifically about Hurricane Harvey and is told in rhyme, and FLOOD is a wordless book. My story, A FLOOD OF KINDNESS, is told from a young girl’s point of view using lyrical but age appropriate language. It doesn’t mention any particular flood, and it focuses on the main character’s emotions and her journey towards healing.

I am the co-author of DON’T EAT THE BLUEBONNETS (Clear Fork Publishing/ Spork imprint, 2017), a 2017 Mighty Girls Books pick, and the author of LOLA CAN’T LEAP (Clear Fork Publishing/Spork imprint, 2018). I am an active member of SCBWI as well as a member of Julie Hedlund’s 12×12 Picture Book Challenge. I frequently present at schools and have been featured on both radio and TV. I can be found on Facebook, Twitter (@EllenLwrites), and Instagram (EllenL411).

Along with my writing career, I am an educator. I have taught for many years and currently teach part time during the school year and teach in a creative writing camp in the summer.

Thank you for your time.

Excerpt:

A FLOOD OF KINDNESS

The night the river jumped its banks, everything changed.

Rain pounded the pavement.

Lightning cut through the sky.

Water swirled over the curb.

Even though I was too old, I grabbed my raggedy Teddy bear. We dove under the covers.

Still, it rained.

CRASH! Thunder rattled the roof.

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This contest entry was posted on Wednesday, 27 March 2019.