The KidLit Quarantine Connection

Hello my friends!

I had SO much fun hosting the Corona Critique Giveaway that I've been anxious to create another way to lift spirits and connect during this crazy time.

I've decided to host another KidLit event! This time around, EVERYONE is a winner!

Today, I'm thrilled to announce the Kidlit Quarantine Connection!

What is this KidLit Quarantine Connection, you ask?

Well... it's a super awesome pen pal exchange! Here is how it works:

1. Fill out the form below to join the exchange. (Form will be live through Monday, April 20th)!

2. Receive an email from me on Thursday, April 23rd with the name and email address of your pen pal!

3. Send each other emails/letters/tweets/etc. during this crazy time. Connect and get to know each other in any way that works best for you.

4. When we are back to a normal life and feel like we can again go to the post office, MAIL YOUR KIDLIT QUARANTINE CONNECTION PEN PAL A BOOK-ISH BOX. This could be a book, writing materials, etc. Use what you learned about your pen pal to send a great book-ish care package individualized for your new friend. You can coordinate with your partner about when you will send this package when you are comfortable being back out and about. I will send out periodic emails to remind you to connect and eventually send this package.

5. Receive your care package from your partner!

I think this will be such a fun way to make new friends, have something semi normal to do, and to have something (an awesome book-ish package) to look forward to when this whole thing is over!

I know that it feels like this quarantine will never end, but I am confident that we will get through this and become even stronger than before.

Since this does require mailing a package, this pen pal exchange is only open to residents of the United States. (Unless enough of you from the same country band together and want to get in on the fun. Reach out to me through my contact page if that's you.)

I hope we'll have lots of people making new writer friends through this pen pal connection. Sign up on this form to get started:

I can't wait to hear stories of connection, friendship, and hope from all of this!

Spring Fling Kidlit Contest: The Honey Hunt

Happy Spring, friends! I was glad to squeeze in a moment to write a little something for the Spring Fling KidLit Contest hosted by Kaitlyn Sanchez and Ciara O’Neal. I hope that reading all of the entries will bring everyone a little smile during this crazy time.

The task? Choose a Spring GIF for inspiration and write a 150 word (or less) story for kids ages 12 or under. Here's my take on a spring story. Huge shout out to my CPs for a very last minute plea for their thoughts. It's truly a miracle that I squeezed something out for this. I decided that I would put aside the notion that it had to be perfect and just have some fun writing a story. We could all use a little more fun in our lives right now.

The Honey Hunt

By Kailei Pew

150 Words

GIF: https://www.clipart.email/download/10775346.html#.XoyXehFWMwQ.link

Benjamin hadn’t meant to eat all the honey.

But a taste became a meal and a meal became a feast.

Now, the last of the hive’s winter storage was gone!

The Queen would be furious.

Benjamin searched high and low for a single morsel to save.

But there wasn’t a drop.

He asked a neighboring hive for help.

But they weren’t very sympathetic.

“Buzz off!”

He pleaded with a passing bear.

But that was dangerous.

“Grrr… Find your own honey!”

Benjamin’s antennae drooped as he faced the queen.

“Your majesty? I… ate the last of the winter honey.”

The Queen’s eyes narrowed.

She pointed to the exit.

“Banishment?” Benjamin worried.

But the queen smiled. “Watch.”

The gatherers returned, bellies full of nectar.

And the workers were already busy making honey!

Benjamin grinned and buzzed to do his part.

The winter supply was gone, but so was winter.

Spring had arrived!

***

Thanks for reading, friends! And good luck to everyone who entered. I'm looking forward to reading all of the submissions.

Meet Kailei Pew

Kailei believes in books. She believes in imaginative play. She believes in having fun, getting messy, and being silly with her kids. Thus For Little Readers was born.​ Kailei also writes picture books and is currently seeking representation. She loves creating books that bring children and parents together. Kailei hopes that her own books will one day be featured in her blog. ​Prior to staying home with her children and writing picture books, Kailei worked as a reading teacher and middle school mentor. She was a 2019 Write Mentor Mentee and a finalist in Susanna Leonard Hill's 2019 Holiday Writing Contest.

Corona Critique Giveaway WINNERS

Well friends, that's a wrap! What an awesome week this has been. I can't thank our amazing donors enough! And thanks to each of YOU for connecting, commenting, & following along. This has been so fun and I consider myself a winner for connecting with each of you!

If you aren't on this list, I hope this post will give you some hope:

https://www.kaileipewbooks.com/post/when-the-answer-is-not-yet

AND THE WINNERS ARE...

1. Congratulations @Dstiveson! You’ve won a query critique from @jmcgowanbks!

2. Congratulations @Maureeneganva! You’ve won a query critique from @MadmoiselleClel!

3. Congratulations @Meetpokapaka! You’ve won a PB critique from @LynnetteNovak!

4. Congratulations @AshleyCCongdon! You’ve won your choice of a PB or query critique from @KaitlynLeann17!

5. Congratulations @Lightmypath24! You’ve won a query critique from @BonnieS_agent!

6. Congratulations @Marynadoughty! You’ve won a query critique from @BonnieS_agent!

7. Congratulations @debBuschman! You’ve won a query critique from @BonnieS_agent!

8. Congratulations @_lisafurness! You’ve won a query critique from @BonnieS_agent!

9. Congratulations @sheilaSchmotzer! You’ve won a query critique from @BonnieS_agent!

10. Congratulations @ZiemkeMichele! You’ve won a query critique from @TinaPSchwartz!

11. Congratulations @LindseyBHobson! You’ve won a query critique from @TinaPSchwartz!

12. Congratulations @PPFleegrr_87! You’ve won a query critique from @TinaPSchwartz!

13. Congratulations @tonnyef! You’ve won a query critique from @TinaPSchwartz!

14. Congratulations @LisaSBilla! You’ve won a query critique from @TinaPSchwartz!

15. Congratulations @Annemweaver! You’ve won a query critique from @CathieHedrick!

16. Congratulations @Lexidonah4! You’ve won a query critique from @CathieHedrick!

17. Congratulations @CharlotteGunnu1! You’ve won a query critique from @CathieHedrick!

18. Congratulations @Marianariosrmz1! You’ve won a query critique from @CathieHedrick!

19. Congratulations @KLFavata! You’ve won a query critique from @CathieHedrick!

20. Congratulations @dlkgottier! You’ve won a PB critique from @Chrysa_Keenon!

21. Congratulations @CohnNatalie! You’ve won a 1st impression PB critique from @alayne_kay!

22. Congratulations @RoseCappelli! You’ve won a PB critique from @taralazar!

23. Congratulations @AduseiAdusei! You’ve won a PB critique from @alastairheim!

24. Congratulations @mgoldenbooks! You’ve won a PB critique (rhyming if you have it) from @DianaMWrites!

25. Congratulations @KrisRashid! You’ve won a PB critique from @BeaBirdsong!

26. Congratulations @carriecookhere! You’ve won a PB critique from @jlacera and @MeganLacera!

27. Congratulations @AudDayWilliams! You’ve won a PB critique from @AmySparkes!

28. Congratulations @janetFsheets! You’ve won a PB critique from @BrianGehrlein!

29. Congratulations @christinenanfra! You’ve won a PB or dummy critique from @KyerstenHayes!

30. Congratulations @BoskoLori! You’ve won a PB critique from @StaceyCorrigan3!

31. Congratulations @Mjwalvoord2! You’ve won a PB critique from @ebrownbooks (F under 1000 words, NF under 1600)!

32. Congratulations @ HannahLapehn! You’ve won a non-rhyming PB critique from @JLMcKay1!

33. Congratulations @theSheilster! You’ve won a PB critique from @LoriDegman!

34. Congratulations @rkthill! You’ve won a PB (800 words or less) with query critique from @June_Smalls!

35. Congratulations @Jcwharton! You’ve won a PB critique from @Doherty60!

36. Congratulations @deaBrayden! You’ve won a Non-rhyming PB critique from @KatyDuffield!

37. Congratulations @BettyWriteStuff! You’ve won a PB critique from @PammCalvert!

38. Congratulations @ChandraCMayer! You’ve won a non-rhyming PB critique from @anna_lazowski!

39. Congratulations @Cjfriess! You’ve won a PB critique from @eboxer!

40. Congratulations @ManjuBeth! You’ve won a non-rhyming PB critique from @RosiePOV!

41. Congratulations @ JesReinerHarris! You’ve won a PB critique from @AJacksonBooks!

42. Congratulations @Pennymmcnally! You’ve won a PB critique (NF or Lyrical if you have it) from @lisadkerrwrites!

43. Congratulations @KaleeGwar! You’ve won a PB critique from @nancytupperling!

44. Congratulations @AudreyHackett0! You’ve won a non-rhyming PB critique from @jopastro!

45. Congratulations @Ttorrible! You’ve won a PB critique from @LaurenKerstein!

46. Congratulations @Rebecca_A_T_A! You’ve won a PB critique from @LLeslie!

47. Congratulations @ UrbanMuseWriter! You’ve won a PB critique from @LisaLJRogers!

48. Congratulations @Sjpicturebooks! You’ve won a PB critique from @RandiLynnMrvos!

49. Congratulations @AReynosoMorris! You’ve won a PB critique from @LisaGerin1!

50. Congratulations @MattieNoall! You’ve won a PB critique from me! @PewKailei!

If you aren't one of the official winners, I hope that you consider this week a win because of the connections made and hope felt. I know that I had a blast getting to know you all! I hope you'll stick around for my regular programmed picture book reviews with fun activities for the kiddos. If you'd like to be featured on this blog, send me a message!

Meet Kailei Pew

Kailei believes in books. She believes in imaginative play. She believes in having fun, getting messy, and being silly with her kids. Thus For Little Readers was born.​ Kailei also writes picture books and is currently seeking representation. She loves creating books that bring children and parents together. Kailei hopes that her own books will one day be featured in her blog. ​Prior to staying home with her children and writing picture books, Kailei worked as a reading teacher and middle school mentor. She was a 2019 Write Mentor Mentee and a finalist in Susanna Leonard Hill's 2019 Holiday Writing Contest.