As if writing my own advent calendar wasn’t enough, this year I found myself contributing to someone else’s. Words & Pictures, the website of the Society of Children’s Books Writers and Illustrators, has been posting an image a day and inviting people to tweet their own micro-stories.
‘Oh hang on,’ said Father Christmas. ‘Did I leave the blooming oven on?’
It’s been a real pleasure, lingering over some wonderful images and imagining the possibilities for the characters depicted. It’s also been excellent reminder of how to keep my writing succinct. I’ve even dabbled with rhyme for the first time since primary school. So don’t say you haven’t been warned before you cast your eyes over ten of my favourites.
‘We’re going on a bear hunt!’
CRUNCH, CREAK
‘In slippers?’ said bear.
CRIK, CRAK
‘Can’t stop m-‘
SLIP, SPLASH
‘You said I could get Sky with these things on.’
‘Sure you can Toby, I just need to give you the red button.’
You won’t get a present here, now you’ve wrecked my bed.
I don’t care to share old bear, my nosy box in red.
‘One good thing about this cold is being able to blow bubbles out of my nose. Sometimes I can even catch a star.’
Their teeth grew long over the winter months, their stomachs empty. Now they turned on the snow bunny reducing him to slush and buttons.
The three unwise animals arrived. ‘Really sorry, I forgot your present,’ said cat. ‘But here’s a star I found above your shed.’
‘YOU DARE WRAP ME IN FILTHY RUFFLES AND TRIVIAL BAUBLES!’ The furious fir roared at his young tormenter.
A difficult rhyme today, one fears
Instead a question: Do birds have ears?
‘I pray that this is the Christmas somebody puts me in an ironic Ladybird book.’
And that’s your lot for 2015. Thanks so much for reading my advent calendar. See you same time, same place next year?
Tyger Tale 
“Ha!” with bells on,yet more “Ha!”
Your captions form the very star
On top of pics, like Christmas trees,
Hearts young and old will surely please.
You can see why Hallmark rejected my application as versifier for their cards. Brilliant captions, especially the knowing and very up-to-date final one. Have a lovely Christmas!
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Fantastic! Thanks Chris, Happy Christmas to you too.
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Thank you for another lovely advent calendar, we are enjoying a couple of books from last year, and will no doubt add some from this year for next year.
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