PBS Kids Go! Writers Contest

From Wisconsin Public Television...

Children have a wonderful ability to use their imagination in play, in school, and with their peers. One of the ways we can nurture their unique talents is by encouraging them to write and illustrate their own stories.Wisconsin Public Television is pleased to announce the 2010 PBS KIDS GO! Writers Contest. Through this program, WPT hopes to provide an opportunity for kids to share their stories with guidance and encouragement from their librarians and reading specialists.

The PBS KIDS GO! Writers Contest is a national-local contest designed to promote the advancement of children’s reading skills through hands-on, active learning. The contest encourages children in grades K-3 in communities across the country to celebrate the power of creating stories and illustrations by submitting their own original pieces. It extends the powerful tradition and annual success of the 15-year national “Reading Rainbow Young Writers and Illustrators Contest.” In the 2009 contest, a WPT participant was a national winner. Her story can be seen at www.wpt.org/kids.

The kickoff for the contest is Wednesday, January 27th and the final date for submissions is Friday, March 26th. We are asking for your help to get your library involved in the contest. You can help broaden our reach of the contest to your patrons by displaying and distributing posters and entry forms at your library. In addition, we invite you to consider organizing a writing event for interested children and their parents. WPT is happy to provide materials for your library to hold an event as well as promotions materials for the contest. Starting in January wpt.org/kids will have helpful story writing resources for facilitators and children. In addition, a new PBS KIDS GO! Writers Contest web site at pbskids.org/read will launch in early 2010. WPT will be giving a $50 stipend towards the cost of running the contest in your library.

Please join us in the PBS KIDS GO! Writers Contest and encourage your kids to write and illustrate their own stories. Thank you and we look forward to reading the work of your children! If you are interested in participating in this years contest, please send an email with your library name, address, and contact information to kids@wpt.org by January 30th. If you have any questions please feel free to contact Lynne Blinkenberg, Kristina Stadler or Jenna Schapiro at 608-265-5035 or email kids@wpt.org.