Spring is in the air, and I’m on the hunt for some budding illustrators. This Spring’s story is actually a poem I wrote called “Magic Through the Year” (a slightly bland title, so feel free to suggest a better one). It’s all about the magic that sits right under our noses… the magic we can discover each and every day in our very own, wonderful world!
Contest Rules:
- Read the poem, pick the month you like the best, and draw an illustration for that stanza!
- Illustrations must be sent to me (mez@riverotterbooks.com) by Friday, 23 March.
- Along with a photo or scan of your illustration, include in the email: your name, age (all ages welcome), and where you live, & tell me a little bit about your illustration!
Prizes:
- All illustrations will be featured on the website and newsletter.
- The winners’ illustrations will be included in the ebook edition that will be available to download, print and share!
Good luck, artists!
And here’s a little visual inspiration for you…
Magic Through the Year
In January, Falls with silent grace
A glistening shower of soft white lace.
The earth with pride is sure to glow,
When dressed in a shimmering gown of snow.
Magic’s yours for the taking,
If only you dare.
If you’ve not yet claimed it,
You must not care.
In February,
When nature’s left bare by the cold,
Is a grand time to go out hunting Leprechauns’ gold.
Take a peak in mum’s garden, or on window sills
For the shining golden heads of spring’s first daffodils.
Magic’s a treasure most precious,
Though not terribly rare.
So don’t waste one more moment
Before claiming your fair share.
In gently March,
When earth’s long sleep is shook,
The sprite’s and pixies sneak out for a look.
But should spring showers threaten their fun with gloom,
They’ll pop up, spit spot, and umbrella mushroom.
Magic’s no fib,
No story, or fable.
Don’t suppose you can’t find it.
You are perfectly able.
In April,
Sky’s majestic concerts play
While silver streamers the night array.
Tucked snug in bed, safe, dry, and warm,
You can dream to the music of a spring thunderstorm.
Magic’s no secret,
It’s as plain as blue sky.
If you’d like me to prove it,
Why just open your eyes.
In May
When day gives way to night,
I watch the flickering fairy lights.
They disappear in the blink of an eye.
What a curious creature, the firefly!
Magic isn’t just in books.
If you haven’t found it,
You haven’t looked.
In June,
You’ll find a magical gem
To put in your pocket should you have the whim.
Watch violet turn green before your eyes
When june bug opens his wings and flies.
Magic comes in packages
Of every size.
Should you come across it,
Don’t be surprised.
In hot July,
While seaside dreaming,
I can hear the mermaids singing.
There sweet and mystic voices swell
Deep down inside an old conch shell.
Magic is found
In every cranny and nook.
If you’ve not yet found it,
You’ve not yet looked.
In August,
Silvery silken nets are cast
To catch moon droplets of liquid glass.
Morn’s sunbeams turn these to dew drops instead,
That dangle from each dainty spiderweb thread.
No need for a wand,
spellbook, or white rabbit.
If it’s magic you seek
Just reach out and grab it.
In September,
When nights are cool, crisp, and quite clear,
The sky’s faithful watchman is sure to appear.
A sign that fall’s magic will be upon the world soon,
Is the sleepy-eyed man on the pale harvest moon.
Magic’s oh so much more
Than a make-believe game.
Why to miss out on magic
Would be a most dreadful shame.
In October,
You may encounter upon neighbors’ porches
A mischievous nymph with eyes shining like torches.
But don’t be alarmed by his snaggle-toothed grin,
For jack-o-lanterns, quite often, make jolly good friends.
So if life’s too ordinary,
Then do precisely as I say:
Take a daily dose of magic,
And add dazzle to each day.
In November,
Fair rubies drip from trees;
But shaken by an autumn breeze,
They dance down gracefully as you please,
To make fall’s rainbow rug of leaves.
Magic is there.
It doesn’t hide.
If you’ve never seen it,
You’ve never tried.
In December,
When magic falls in drifts like the snow,
A billion flick’ring candles set all earth aglow.
On still, frosty nights, these bring joy near and far,
To hearts warmed and eyes twinkling under heaven’s kind stars.
So whatever the season, day, or the hour,
Enjoying some magic requires no special powers.
Just open those eyes up,
Dust off your nose and ears.
With practice,
you’ll find magic every day of the year!
Now get illustrating!