11th Annual PBS SoCal KIDS Writers Contest Now Accepting Student Submission. PBS SoCal announced today the 11th Annual PBS KIDS Writers Contest is now accepting multilingual submissions of original stories from kindergarten through third grade students across Southern California. Each year the contest encourages creative thinking and storytelling in students to build literacy and strengthen hands-on, active learning skills through illustrations of their own stories. In June, KPCC’s Education Reporter Kyle Stokes will return as host of the Awards Ceremony to congratulate winners of the contest with award certificates and prizes for their writing efforts. The submission information and entry form are now available at www.pbssocal.org/writerscontest. The deadline for entry is May 1, 2020.
All entries will be judged on their originality of plot and themes, story structure and use of literary devices, relevance, quality and creativity of illustration. Each submission must be original student work—written and illustrated by the entrant. First, second, and third place winners will be chosen from each grade. Every child who submits an original piece will be recognized for participation with a Certificate of Appreciation. Prizes are as follows:
Four (4) First Place Prizes values at $199.00 each: PBS KIDS Playtime Pad, $50 gift card, Books and PBS KIDS goodies.
Four (4) Second Place Prizes valued at $154.99 each: PBS KIDS Playtime Pad, $25 gift card, Books and PBS KIDS goodies.
Four Third Place Prizes valued at $95.00 each: $25 gift card, Books, and PBS KIDS goodies.
Four (4) Special Category Prizes valued at $120.00 each: $50 gift card, Books and PBS KIDS goodies.
Entries must be postmarked by May 1, 2020, and must include the PBS SoCal entry form signed by the child’s parent, guardian or teacher available at www.pbssocal.org/writerscontest
Contest rules are as follows:
Entry Rules English
Reglas de Entrada Español
Contest entry form is as follows:
Entry Form English
Formulario de Participación Español
Submissions can be fact, fiction, non-fiction, poetry or a prose story and must include at least five colorful illustrations. Each submission will be considered by PBS SoCal education staff on the combination of originality, creativity, structure, relevance to themes and overall quality. PBS SoCal will also select one winner per Humor, Illustration, Science Fiction and Kindness categories.
Three winners from last year’s 10th Annual PBS KIDS Writers Contest will have their short stories become animations on-air — brought to life by the PBS SoCal team, and narrated by Anikke Fox (Trust Docs). The animations feature the unique stories of Moses H., “The Moldy Avocado,” Hannah Y., “Girl of Fire” and Ezra K. “Friends Make Friends.” These animated short stories will also be available to watch online beginning Mon., Jan. 13 at www.pbssocal.org/writerscontest
