A Halloween Christmas
Christmas shouldn't be a scary time of the year.31 total reviews
Comment from Regina Elliott
Hello John, I really love this
whimsical children's story
with a combination of
Halloween-time and Christmastide. It's always a
pleasant break from sad
poetry/short stories. I like
the positivity of Ben and
Russell's friendship, and
Russell finding Santa Claus,
and Christmas. Hats off to
you for such a superb imagination. Many blessings
to you & yours. ~
reply by the author on 24-Jan-2023
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Hello John, I really love this
whimsical children's story
with a combination of
Halloween-time and Christmastide. It's always a
pleasant break from sad
poetry/short stories. I like
the positivity of Ben and
Russell's friendship, and
Russell finding Santa Claus,
and Christmas. Hats off to
you for such a superb imagination. Many blessings
to you & yours. ~
Comment Written 24-Jan-2023
reply by the author on 24-Jan-2023
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Thank you so much, Regina! I appreciate you going back to read this one and thank you for the SIX.
Comment from Frank Malley
I've been trying on a curmudgeon jacket recently, but Mr. Ciarmelo's stories have somehow made me aware of how itchy and ill-fitting it is. I'm much happier in this wool sweater.
reply by the author on 08-Oct-2022
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I've been trying on a curmudgeon jacket recently, but Mr. Ciarmelo's stories have somehow made me aware of how itchy and ill-fitting it is. I'm much happier in this wool sweater.
Comment Written 08-Oct-2022
reply by the author on 08-Oct-2022
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Hahahaha! Thank you again, my friend! Yes, I would stick with the wool sweater! Thanks, Frank, for another six! I believe that's twelve stars in twenty minutes! My head is swelling! But don't pop it yet! LOL.
Comment from Theodore McDowell
Congratulations on the ATB rating for September for this one. Good post for the contest. This was a creative and touching story about helping a child deal with his fears. Well done.
reply by the author on 20-Sep-2022
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Congratulations on the ATB rating for September for this one. Good post for the contest. This was a creative and touching story about helping a child deal with his fears. Well done.
Comment Written 20-Sep-2022
reply by the author on 20-Sep-2022
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Thank you for the great review and congrats, Tim. I'm happy you read and enjoyed it.
Comment from Tpa
It was a beautiful children's story, easy reading and creative. I like the part of the bullfrog and the dragonfly. You are right an adult sometimes surrenders the reading of adult lit and dives into the imagination of the young.
reply by the author on 19-Sep-2022
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It was a beautiful children's story, easy reading and creative. I like the part of the bullfrog and the dragonfly. You are right an adult sometimes surrenders the reading of adult lit and dives into the imagination of the young.
Comment Written 19-Sep-2022
reply by the author on 19-Sep-2022
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Thank you for the great review and SIX stars, Tpa! I appreciate your reading, and I'm happy you enjoyed the time away from adult lit for a few minutes. Best, JohnC
Comment from irishauthorme
Had to give this my last 6'er, John! First, this is a really unique story idea, mixing Halloween and Christmas, with both holidays being real to children. Second, having the child Ben tell the tale, is perfect!
Your portrayal of the monster as a slightly loony and innocent monster took the scary edge off, and your physical description was just what a monster should look like. Your conclusion was both warm, and satisfying.
Oh, by the way, John, your inner child is well, happy, and eager to aid your writer's imagination.
I'm Irish. I know these things.
irish
reply by the author on 19-Sep-2022
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Had to give this my last 6'er, John! First, this is a really unique story idea, mixing Halloween and Christmas, with both holidays being real to children. Second, having the child Ben tell the tale, is perfect!
Your portrayal of the monster as a slightly loony and innocent monster took the scary edge off, and your physical description was just what a monster should look like. Your conclusion was both warm, and satisfying.
Oh, by the way, John, your inner child is well, happy, and eager to aid your writer's imagination.
I'm Irish. I know these things.
irish
Comment Written 19-Sep-2022
reply by the author on 19-Sep-2022
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Thank you from the bottom of my heart, my wonderful Irish friend. Your review was perfect and I'm honored to have it come from you. Thank you so much for the 6'ER as well.
Comment from Judy Lawless
I was thinking this would be an excellent story for children, John. You've created a new Christmas character that I'm sure small children would relate to, like your son did. We need new stories like this. Thanks for sharing this one, and good luck in the contest.
reply by the author on 18-Sep-2022
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I was thinking this would be an excellent story for children, John. You've created a new Christmas character that I'm sure small children would relate to, like your son did. We need new stories like this. Thanks for sharing this one, and good luck in the contest.
Comment Written 18-Sep-2022
reply by the author on 18-Sep-2022
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Thank you, Judy, for The great review and comments. I'm so happy you enjoyed it.
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You?re most welcome, John.
Comment from Marienkiefer
Beautiful descriptions and dialogue in your story.
This is lovely piece, I am really enjoying it...reading with joy and enthusiasm, really, it is great.
Favourite lines:
Great comparisons and imagery: could not scare a dragonfly off of a bullfrog's tongue, for example.
Also: the leaves quivered and drew in on the side.
The lines when :Ben wrapped himself tighter in his mother's coat as a question is whirling in his head like the leaves on the ground....I can't
tell you how beautiful this is here. You get thought, movement, action, emotion, plus the imagery in this boy in this overwhelming coat, Lovely lines
Love your October Halloween colours: yellow, orange,npurple, green
Very lovely humour and one-liners
I love magical elements in your story, imagination and creativity: hiding October, and finding Christmas.
Loving ending, in keeping with the story. I got such joy out of your story. Beautiful.
Six stars for you as I feel the magical, the imaginary and the fantastical in this story.
reply by the author on 18-Sep-2022
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Beautiful descriptions and dialogue in your story.
This is lovely piece, I am really enjoying it...reading with joy and enthusiasm, really, it is great.
Favourite lines:
Great comparisons and imagery: could not scare a dragonfly off of a bullfrog's tongue, for example.
Also: the leaves quivered and drew in on the side.
The lines when :Ben wrapped himself tighter in his mother's coat as a question is whirling in his head like the leaves on the ground....I can't
tell you how beautiful this is here. You get thought, movement, action, emotion, plus the imagery in this boy in this overwhelming coat, Lovely lines
Love your October Halloween colours: yellow, orange,npurple, green
Very lovely humour and one-liners
I love magical elements in your story, imagination and creativity: hiding October, and finding Christmas.
Loving ending, in keeping with the story. I got such joy out of your story. Beautiful.
Six stars for you as I feel the magical, the imaginary and the fantastical in this story.
Comment Written 18-Sep-2022
reply by the author on 18-Sep-2022
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Thank you so much for the great review, Marienkiefer and for the SIX stars. I'm happy you enjoyed it. Thanks again!
Comment from Sandra Nelms-Ludwig
No, John, you have not lost your inner child. You have rediscovered him in sharing this story you read to your seven-year-old son. I would type it on archival paper or get it printed on it and save it for your son and grandkids. I like so many things about this story. I like that you used large text so I could easily read it. I like that you used different font for the monster's notes. Now, that's being attentive to details. (Loved it!) The visual fits perfectly. This is a well-penned writing that has mellowed like fine wine. Good stuff!
reply by the author on 18-Sep-2022
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No, John, you have not lost your inner child. You have rediscovered him in sharing this story you read to your seven-year-old son. I would type it on archival paper or get it printed on it and save it for your son and grandkids. I like so many things about this story. I like that you used large text so I could easily read it. I like that you used different font for the monster's notes. Now, that's being attentive to details. (Loved it!) The visual fits perfectly. This is a well-penned writing that has mellowed like fine wine. Good stuff!
Comment Written 18-Sep-2022
reply by the author on 18-Sep-2022
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I'm honored by your review and six stars my good friend, Sandra. I do up my font size with thoughts of all of us legally blind people on site. LOL. I'm so happy you enjoyed this. I thank you.
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You are most welcome. You deserved it!
Comment from WLHall
What a great, creative story for a kid. You ought to have it published with a lot of artwork to go along with it. It was fun and descriptive. I would definitely read it to my young grandsons.
Nice flow and spag-free as I can tell. Good work and good luck.
reply by the author on 18-Sep-2022
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What a great, creative story for a kid. You ought to have it published with a lot of artwork to go along with it. It was fun and descriptive. I would definitely read it to my young grandsons.
Nice flow and spag-free as I can tell. Good work and good luck.
Comment Written 18-Sep-2022
reply by the author on 18-Sep-2022
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Thank you for the wonderful review, WL and the kind words.
Comment from Teri7
John, This is a very sweet and very well written story about the Christmas monster. You used great descriptive words, and it was so neat that Ben liked him. You used great imagery with your words also and the art work you chose. Thanks for sharing. Blessings, Teri
reply by the author on 18-Sep-2022
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John, This is a very sweet and very well written story about the Christmas monster. You used great descriptive words, and it was so neat that Ben liked him. You used great imagery with your words also and the art work you chose. Thanks for sharing. Blessings, Teri
Comment Written 17-Sep-2022
reply by the author on 18-Sep-2022
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Thank you, Teri for the great review. I'm happy you enjoyed It!
