"Benjamin's New Home" is my first picture book story. I submitted the manuscript to the children's magazine, Highlights, in the hopes for publishing primarily and financial bonus secondarily. I received a form rejection in the mail yesterday. The silver lining in the rejection was that the editors on staff only said no to the present need for the story. They held high esteem for the writing, concept, and appropriate age audience. To have a national publication hold such esteem and only giving a pass because they do not need the work at this time means a great deal to me, a true validation for me as an author with potential.
"Benjamin's New Home" deserves publication in any format. And so I present to readers of Puppy Love my first picture book story.
Benjamin's New Home
By Lauren Hovis
Once upon a time in the small village of Rockaway Falls, there was a young puppy named Benjamin.
Benjamin was very special. His coat was light brown and smooth. His brothers and sisters had dark brown and even black coats that were wavy. Benjamin was shy and quiet. His brothers and sisters were loud and not shy at all.
Benjamin lived with his brothers and sisters at Chessie's House, the animal shelter in Rockaway Falls. This animal shelter was very popular. Parents from Rockaway Falls and nearby villages came to Chessie's House to adopt a dog or a cat. Children came to Chessie's House to look at the adorable puppies with their tiny bodies and floppy ears. Every young animal and every older animal got to go home with a new family, including Benjamin's brothers and sisters. . .but not Benjamin.
"You'll find a home someday, Benjamin," said the owner of Chessie's House every night before leaving.
"No one is going to love me," Benjamin thought every night before falling to sleep.
One day, a new family - the Banks - moved to Rockaway Falls. Thomas Banks found work in the village's post office. Anne Banks stayed at home to care for their young children, 7-year-old Sarah and 9-year-old John.
Sarah and John were very special. They were shy, quiet, and very smart. They played only with each other because their old home was so deep into the countryside that no one their age was nearby to play and be their friend. On their first day of school at Forest Elementary in Rockaway Falls, no one asked to be their classroom buddy or playground buddy. Sarah and John were so shy when everyone at Forest Elementary already had friends. This made Sarah and John very sad.
"Why won't anyone like us, Mommy?" they asked every day when they came home from school.
"You are still new. Your classmates don't know you yet," their mom said every day. But Anne felt that Sarah and John were so shy and quiet, no one knew how to be their friend.
Thomas and Anne Banks did not like to see their children so sad. So for a special treat to make everyone happy, the Banks family visited Chessie's House.
Anne and Thomas spent time with the older animals. Sarah loved the kittens. But John was in love with only one the moment he walked in - Benjamin. John could tell that Benjamin was special because he was quiet and all of the other puppies were barking and getting attention. John knew how to be friends with special people. He petted Benjamin's soft, smooth coat and smiled as he looked into Benjamin's happy brown eyes.
At the end of their visit to Chessie's House, Benjamin got to go home with his new loving family - John, Sarah, Anne, and Thomas Banks.
The End
