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Every few months, a friend, co-worker or acquaintance will tell me they are working on a picture book or they know someone working on a picture book. Most people assume writing a picture book is easy. Throw in some rhymes and some cute child-friendly message, and boom you have a book. The truth is, picture book writing is really hard. Even if a writer creates the right rhythm, structure and logic, an editor may not feel that the story is compelling, funny, poignant or plain marketable enough.

Rejection is abound. I once heard Jerry Spinelli speak at a conference. His speech was about perseverance and rejection. He told us that he had boxes and boxes of rejection letters criticizing his now  award-winning novels.  I'm working on developing a tough skin. Rejection is a huge part of being a writer.

I thought you might like to read one of my un-publishable stories. It's based on a personal experience I had in first grade with my so-called best friend. For a variety of reasons, the story isn't quite picture book material. Still, it might be fun for you and your kids to read a piece that almost-was and perhaps may one day be.

You are welcome to share this story with anyone you think may enjoy it. I only ask that you keep my "by line" at the top and the copyright notice and web site address at the bottom. 

KICKING JENNIFER LEE
By Shari Becker

Georgie Anne and Jennifer Lee were best friends.

Georgie Anne loved Jennifer Lee’s pink painted toes, her scary stories, and the way she sang silly songs. Jennifer Lee loved Georgie Anne’s quirky corkscrew curls, her blueberry bubble bath, and the way Georgie Anne drew dangerous dinosaurs. They agreed on everything and never fought – not even a little.

When Georgie Anne heard that Jennifer Lee was going to the same school as she was, she became very excited. On their first day, Georgie Anne and Jennifer Lee decided to wear matching outfits – green shirts, denim jumpers and green and white striped tights. They held hands and played together. Everyone knew they were friends.

Miss Grace, their teacher, smiled and gave lots of hugs – They loved her!

On their second day of school, Miss Grace introduced the class to circle time. “How many days are in a week?” she asked.
“Eight!” called out Jennifer Lee waving her hands in the air.

Miss Grace smiled, “That’s a great guess Jennifer Lee,” she said, “But not quite right. Does anyone else have a guess?”
Georgie Anne raised her hand, “Seven,” she said.

“Excellent,” said Miss Grace, “And what day is it today?”

“Tuesday,” said Georgie Anne. Right again.

Jennifer Lee frowned and did not hold Georgie Anne’s hand during the afternoon. She pouted on Wednesday when she spelled Wednesday wrong, and stomped her feet on Thursday when she fed the class fish, Theodore, turtle food by accident.

“Don’t worry,” said Georgie Anne, “Everyone makes mistakes.” But Jennifer Lee was unhappy for the rest of the day and for the whole next day, too.

The next week, Georgie Anne wore a purple dress just as she and Jennifer Lee had planned. Jennifer Lee wore jeans.

“Purple dresses are boring,” said Jennifer Lee.

 “PEEE-EWWW,” said Jennifer Lee when Georgie Anne walked by, “Do you smell that stink? It smells like rotten blueberries.”

Georgie Anne told her mother that she was too sick to go to school. But her mother took her temperature and said she was just fine.

Then one day, Miss Grace asked Jennifer Lee to circle the W word on the black board. Jennifer Lee couldn’t find it. Neither could Derek Dugan or Peter Piper. But Georgie Anne knew exactly where it was.

At free play time, Jennifer Lee spun around and hissed at Georgie Anne, “Everyone hates a know it all.”

“I’m not a know it all,” whispered Georgie Anne. It felt like her stomach was falling to the floor..

“Yes you are!” said Jennifer Lee. “You think you know everything, but you don’t know anything important”

Georgie Anne felt her feet getting very angry.

“And, you’re ugly, too,” continued Jennifer Lee. “You have the messiest hair in the whole school. Don’t you have a brush?”
Didn’t Jennifer Lee love her quirky corkscrew curls? Georgie Anne turned around and saw her reflection in the classroom mirror. Her hair looked exactly the same.

Georgie Ann felt her legs stiffen.

“Everyone hates you Georgie Anne,” Jennifer Lee finally said, “You have no friends.”

Georgie Anne’s eyes welled with tears. She didn’t know what to say. “Oh yeah, well you … you … you,” and before she knew what was happening, Georgie Anne kicked Jennifer Lee right in the leg.

The kids in the classroom gasped. Jennifer Lee began to wail and Miss Grace came running.

“So there,” thought Georgie Anne, but then, Miss Grace shot a look at her. It was not happy look.

Georgie Anne told Miss Grace every bit of her side of the story as big tears ran down her face. Miss Grace sent Georgie Anne to Australia to cool off, and Jennifer Lee to Zimbabwe.

Georgie Anne sat in Australia looking down at her hands. She knew Australia was for kids who had been naughty.

When her mother picked her up at the end of the day, she frowned, “You and I are going to have a chat when we get home,” she said. “Miss Grace and I are going to think about what the consequences will be.”

Georgie Anne felt big tears welling in her eyes again. Now Mommy was upset, too. It felt like the whole world was mad at her.

Georgie Anne would have to sit in Australia and Jennifer Lee would have to sit in Zibabwe for half of free time for two days – that was a lot of sitting.

Jennifer Lee and Georgie Anne didn’t talk the whole week. Even though she was still mad, Georgie Anne missed her friend. 
Miss Grace offered to help Georgie Anne and Jennifer Lee write letters to each other saying they were sorry. Jennifer Lee gave Georgie Anne her letter first:

Dear Georgie Anne,
I’m sorry I was mean. I didn’t like that you knew all the answers. It made me feel dumb. I still like your quirky corkscrew curls, but I think I’m getting tired of blueberries.
Your maybe friend, Jennifer Lee.

Later that day, Georgie Anne gave Jennifer Lee her note.

Dear Jennifer Lee,
There are lots of things you know. Like how to sing silly songs and tell scary stories. You’re a better counter than me, too. I’m sorry I kicked you, but you were mean to me. What do you think about strawberries?
Your maybe friend, Georgie Anne.

Jennifer Lee helped Georgie Anne count to 36, and Georgie Anne helped Jennifer Lee read a really tough word – elevator.
One day, they wore matching overalls to school. Jennifer Lee thought it was funny since they hadn’t even planned it!
Georgie Anne and Jennifer Lee agreed that maybe they could be friends again…

Maybe even best friends the week after that.

Copyright 2007 Shari Becker