Searching For Spring

This picture book story is for Susanna Hill’s “Just Spring” Contest.  The entry has to be under 350 words (I barely made it with 349) and end with the line, “[character name] knew spring was here at last!”  The deadline is March 18th.  To read more about the contest visit http://www.susannahill.blogspot.com/   Wish me luck!  

Sybil was tired of winter.

She was tired of her puffy pink coat.

She was tired of wet socks and runny noses.

She was tired of gray skies, bare trees, and crusty snow.

Sybil was ready for spring.

One morning her dad announced, “Today is March 20^th, the first day of spring!”

Sybil squealed in delight and rushed to the door expecting to find apple tree blossoms, sprouting daffodils, and warm rays of sunlight.

Instead she found empty branches, patches of snow, and a cold gust of wind.

She slammed the door and turned angrily to her dad.  “You lied,” she said.  “It’s not spring.” 

“Sybil,” her dad said bending next to her, “Spring doesn’t come all at once.  It may not look like spring now, but keep your eyes peeled.  Soon you will see signs of spring.”

Sybil was disappointed, but she liked the idea of searching for signs.  “You mean like clues?”  She asked.

“Sure,” said her dad.  “You can be a detective.”

Sybil took her detective work very seriously.  Each morning she stepped outside in search of spring.

On Monday, the snow melted off their roof, but it still felt like winter.  Spring had not come.

On Tuesday, the sun shone brightly all day long, but Sybil remained unconvinced.  Spring had not come.

On Wednesday she did not need to wear her puffy pink coat.  Sybil was happy to leave it behind, but winter still hung in the air.  Spring had not come.

On Thursday the snow patches on their lawn disappeared.  She felt hopeful, but it was not enough. Spring had not come.

On Friday her teacher told the class to “Enjoy Spring this weekend!” But Sybil thought to herself, “It’s still winter.”  Spring had not come.

On Saturday she saw a robin pecking at worms in the grass and thought, “That is a good sign.” But she was looking for something more.  Spring had not come. 

On Sunday she spotted three tiny green sprouts reaching toward the sky.  This was the sign Sybil had been looking for.  She knew Spring was here at last!

That's all folks!  Thanks so much for reading.  If you would like to see my illustration process go to http://heatherdentstudio.blogspot.com/2013/03/the-illustrating-process.html  I had a lot of trial and error!