Little Thoughts Press

@littlethoughtspress.com

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A print lit mag for kids featuring writing and artwork by both adult and youth creatives. EIC: @clairemtaylor.com littlethoughtspress.com

Theme announcement: In the Dark. visit littlethoughtspress.com/theme to learn more
River Vow by Linda Middleton Raindrop to river to the deep blue sea, we’ve made a loyal vow to thee. We’ve made this faithful pledge to keep you clean, for your fresh magic to be seen. Your turquoise ribbons meander for miles with willow whispers, iris smiles. You’re the swan-way for majestic snow wings, the blue palace for neon kings, the mirror for zigzag dragonfly moves, the rush and gush, soft peace that soothes. You’re the playground for molten otter twirls, swift fish swishes and shiny swirls. You’re home to deep dives, paw paddles and plops. You’re the heartbeat that never stops. We care about every silk twist and turn, open eyes and help others learn. We cherish your every dear bank and shore, each litter pick, we love you more. We follow your flow, always hand in hand, leave just footprints in soil and sand. We’ve fallen deeply for your soul of blue. You flow in us, we glow in you.
Litter-Picker by Claire Schlinkert Better to take a stick and get stuck in, and quickly clear the clutter from the track: the rusted, unloved bric-a-brac, the knick-knacks lost, the picnic scraps attacked by rats or left to rot... Better to purge the verge of plastic tat- to gather the endless wrappers and packets, to ransack the grotty, broken boxes, extract from cracks the shards of glass from broken bottles, and tackle the scourge of battered cans discarded in gutters... Better to scout it out, collect it up, and pack the lot in sacks to chuck, than not. Then stop and take stock: a pristine spot now spick and span where critters skitter through leaves lacking litter, where birds peck paths unscarred by garbage, where foxes flourish in rubbish-free forest; the wrecked and trashed restored intact to habitable habitat. Better to be a go-getter, non-quitter, litter-picker for the reward of all that. accompanied by artwork by Stephanie Buosi of a patch of ground that is covered in litter on one side, and clean and full of blooming flowers on the other.
Eli's House by Amanda McKenzie There’s a dad-shaped hole at Eli’s place. No big, deep belly laugh rumbling around the lounge When we tell our knock-knock jokes. No warm smell of pancakes wafting through the kitchen On Sunday morning. No fluffy purple robe hanging on the bathroom door Like a deflated cuddly monster. Eli’s mum says it’s good that I’m here. She says it’s too quiet without visitors. The house is laden with lasagna and lillies Both fighting to be the loudest smell. Eli asks if I can stay over And together, we make pancakes in the morning.
Chit Chat by Graham Seal Splish splash Mish mash Bing bong Ping pong Flip flop Tip top Bling bling Wing ding Knick knack Tick tack Wotta lotta Clap trap!
Feast by Andrew Sprung Forgot my lunch! Oh, that's mean. I'm gonna starve by 3:15. Brown bags blossom— my desk's bare. "Stay cool," Jess says— "We can share.” Tears off half his PB&J. "We won't let you starve today." Eve hands carrots, Chad adds chips. Three kids pass their drinks for sips. "See that?" Jess says, "Not so bad." Sweetest lunch I ever had.
A page from Little Thoughts Press Issue 12: Better Together featuring the poem "Love Letter" by Cathy Stenquist.
A poem called Cats and Dogs by Webb Smith accompanied by illustrations from Kim Wagner Nolan of cats and dogs falling down like raindrops. Cats and Dogs By Webb Smith It’s raining cats and dogs Let’s grab our bathing suits We’ll gambol while it pours No need for bumbershoots We’ll rollick, romp and run With mud between our toes The nimbus clouds have come To wash away our woes Behold the rhythmic beat Of rain on metal bins We’ll sing out loud and dance While spinning widdershins We’ll splash in billabongs Like happy pollywogs Come spend the day with me It’s raining cats and dogs
Cover of Little Thoughts Press Issue 13: Head, Shoulders, Spleen & Nose featuring an illustration of a child in a burnt orange dress preparing to spin around.
A page from Little Thoughts Press Issue 12: Better Together featuring the poem "How to Build a Little Library" P.J. Purtee.
A page from Little Thoughts Press Issue 12: Better Together featuring an illustration by Chuyu Chen of a puzzle of the world with one piece missing.
An image of kids working together to pick flowers. Over the image is a quote from David McMullin: "A good story can entertain, teach, help the reader understand themself better, and help them understand others."
Silly Love Sonnets contest badge featuring an illustration of a raccoon with a rose in its teeth against a backdrop of pink hearts.
A page from Little Thoughts Press Issue 11: Stirring Words with a sneak peek of the story Perfectly Imperfect by Isabelle Paruzel-Gibson. Accompanying the story is an illustration of a child lying on their stomach painting nature images.
Winning Wars With Peace by Pallavi Jesrani When injustice reigned all across the land, they raised uplifting voices, and took a steadfast stand. One sought independence one strove for civil rights, with strong resolve and passion that scaled the highest heights. They both revered the truth, and each one had a dream. Their stirring words aroused, and thousands joined their team. At no time did they use arms or ammunition. Non-violence was a core value of their missions. They marched away to Dandi. Made their own free salt. Marched off to Montgomery, and led a bus boycott.
A page from Little Thoughts Press Issue 11: Stirring Words with a sneak peek of the poem The Trouble with See-Saws by Paula Thompson.
A page from Little Thoughts Press Issue 11: Stirring Words with a sneak peek of the artwork, A Pickle in a Pickle by Ben Taylor. The illustration is of a team of pickles playing baseball. One of the pickles is caught in a pickle.
A page from Little Thoughts Press Issue 11: Stirring Words with a sneak peek of the poem Hurkle-durkle by Shaunessy Sinnett, accompanied by an illustration of a smiling child in bed long after the sun is up.
A page from Little Thoughts Press Issue 11: Stirring Words with a sneak peek of the poem Plankton Pageant by Lisa Billa.
A page from Little Thoughts Press Issue 11: Stirring Words with a sneak peek of the poem A Pebble Remembers by Mona Voelkel featuring an illustration by Kim Wagner Nolan of a busted castle and a smiling pebble on top of a pile of rocks.
A page from Little Thoughts Press Issue 11: Stirring Words with a sneak peek of the story The Spelling Knee by Kelly Clasen.
A page from Little Thoughts Press Issue 11: Stirring Words with a sneak peek of the poem Quibble by Mike Flowers, featuring artwork of by Kim Wagner Nolan.
Background image of blood vessels overlayed with text that reads Submissions Are Open for Issue 13: Head, Shoulders, Spleen & Nose.
A page from Little Thoughts Press Issue 11: Stirring Words with a sneak peek of the story Finding Grammy's Druthers, by Kimberly Beckham.
Colorful flyer promoting a special sale of all three 2025 Little Thoughts Press issues for only $18.
A page from Little Thoughts Press Issue 11: Stirring Words with a sneak peek of the poem Pandemonium by Rachel Burrows, featuring artwork of musical instruments by Imogen Hartland.
A page from Little Thoughts Press Issue 11: Stirring Words with a sneak peek of the poem Webster's Whatchamacallit Words by Susan Jakubowski.
Cover of Little Thoughts Press Issue 12: Better Together featuring an illustration of three different scenes of kids working together.
A page from Little Thoughts Press Issue 11: Stirring Words featuring a poem and illustration The Big Boom by Sally Mills.
A page from Little Thoughts Press Issue 11: Stirring Words featuring the poem Barn Owl by Annette Birdsall.
Theme announcement for Issue 13: Head, Shoulders, Spleen & Nose.
A page from Little Thoughts Press Issue 11: Stirring Words featuring the poem Thirsty Amaryllis by Carmela A. Martino.
A page from Little Thoughts Press Issue 11: Stirring Words featuring the poem Helter-Skelter by Val Harris. The poem is accompanied by an illustration from Imogen Hartland of colorful leaves scattered across the page.
drawing of a cartoon raccoon against a starry sky
A page from Little Thoughts Press Issue 11: Stirring Words featuring the poem The Thing Under My Bed by Evelyn Day, accompanied by Evelyn's illustration of a person in bed with the covers drawn up to their eyes. Something mysterious is peering out from beneath the bed..
A page from Little Thoughts Press Issue 11: Stirring Words featuring the poem My Grandmother's Words by Barbara Bleiman.
A page from Little Thoughts Press Issue 11: Stirring Words featuring the poem Stirring Seasons by Erin Zampaglione.
Illustration by Finn J. of a red dragon breathing out fire while birds fly over him. Accompanying the illustration is part of the poem "Whoosh" by Sadie Maskery.
Illustration by Kathryn Powers of a bear, raccoon and hedgehog happily dancing among spring flowers. Accompanying the illustration is part of the story "Ivy's Imagination" by Ada Lucia Freer.
Illustration by Kim Wagner Nolan of keys attached to a parachute floating down from where a kid dropped them from a fire escape. Accompanying the illustration is part of the poem "Catch" by Julie Stevens.
Illustration, Laundry Tree, by Anna Llewellyn of a tree with bare branches draped with clothes. Accompanying the illustration is part of the story "Where the Loved Clothes Go" by Sarah Ellyn
Illustration by Annette Hashitate of a child and a fairy looking at each other from across a white lily. Accompanying the illustration is part of the story "Sylvia's Safekeeping" by Kendra Cardin.
Submissions extended for Issue 12: Better Together to October 6th.
Illustration by Imogen Hartland of a child in a yellow slicker standing on a rock next to a lighthouse. Accompanying the illustration is a quote from writer Lisa Roullard: "Write about what you're interested in, even if you don't know much about it yet. You can learn as you go."
Illustration by Imogen Hartland of a child in a yellow slicker standing on a rock next to a lighthouse. Accompanying the illustration is part of the poem "On the Rocks by the Lighthouse" by Lisa Roullard.
Illustration by Kim Wagner Nolan of keys attached to a parachute floating down from where a kid dropped them from a fire escape. Accompanying the illustration is part of the poem "Keys for My Sister" by Nick Fordham.
Illustration, Saguaro Bird, by Jess Burbank of a woodpecker poking out of a cactus. Accompanying the illustration is part of the poem "Saguaro Home" by Deborah Reidy.
A list of topics to consider for our Better Together: A Celebration of Community and Collective Action submission theme: voting/voting rights post-disaster cleanup efforts the history behind designated days like Earth Day, Arbor Day, Labor Day (or similar days in other nations outside the US) kids organizing a bake sale/dance-a-thon/other fundraiser to raise money to support a friend or classmate a celebration of public libraries as free, safe community spaces unique, location-specific community projects. What’s something special about your community? a story about a student-led effort to increase recess time, add school clubs, or get pizza on the lunch menu--anything that takes the idea of collective action and organizing and applies it to kids helping a classmate who is struggling in class, or is being bullied/ostracized donating food/toys/school supplies buddy systems at school supporting small businesses young people around the world who have made a difference; visit: myhero.com/child. local heroes/activists more people should know about
Illustration by Althea M of three kids roller skating. Accompanying the illustration is part of the poem "Rollin'" by Jay Brazeau.
Illustration by Imogen Hartland of a child in a yellow slicker standing on a rock next to a lighthouse. Accompanying the illustration is part of the story "Timelooped Tommy" by Hezekiah Guzman.
Illustration, Laundry Tree, by Anna Llewellyn of a tree with bare branches draped with clothes. Accompanying the illustration is part of the poem "Made in Universe" by Fatmanur Koksal.
An illustration of kids on a fire escape. One kid is floating a set of keys attached to a parachute down to another kid. Artwork is titled 51st Street by Kim Wagner Nolan. A quote from the artist accompanies the illustration.
Illustration by Olivia McGinty of a person having their portrait painted. Accompanying the illustration is part of the poem "Ali the Artist" by Ian Brownlie.
Illustration by Kim Wagner Nolan of keys attached to a parachute floating down from where a kid dropped them from a fire escape. Accompanying the illustration is part of the poem "Outdoors Upstairs" by Hilary Elder.
Illustration by Kathryn Powers of a bear, raccoon and hedgehog happily dancing among spring flowers. Accompanying the illustration is part of the poem "Spring is Here" by Linda Hofke.
Illustration by Imogen Hartland of a child in a yellow slicker standing on a rock next to a lighthouse. Accompanying the illustration is part of the poem "I'll Be Here" by Rebecca Gardyn Levington.
Illustration by Jess Burbank of a woodpecker poking out of a hole in a cactus. Accompanying the illustration is part of the poem "A Sonoran Symphony" by Shaun Jex.
Illustration by Jessie Lehson of an old witchy woman outside a house made from bones, accompanied by a quote from Sadie Maskery that reads "Once you think sideways about any situation you can find questions to ask that aren't immediately obvious."
Illustration by Annette Hashitate of a child and a fairy looking at each other from across a white lily. Accompanying the illustration is part of the poem "Friends With a Fairy" by Olivia Park.
Illustration by Finn J. of a red dragon breathing out fire while birds fly over him. Accompanying the illustration is part of the story "Brave Fynnigan, The Fire-Eating Dragon" by Sharon Korzelius.