Childrens Stories Writing Contests

Finnish learning initiative launches Kalulu story writing competition

“The Grapho Learning Initiative from Finland presents one solution to tackle illiteracy. It is a research-based learning environment which includes GraphoGAME, an innovative learning-game which helps children learn to read in a few hours. Also, the initiative offers scientific support from some of the best universities in the world to develop the game into several languages (GraphoWORLD). Once the basic reading skills are achieved, the GraphoLEARN platform offers children exciting stories in their local languages,” Lehtimaki stated. “The aim of the writing competition is to create new stories in Zambian languages for young children to read. These stories will open a door to an exciting world that attracts children to learn more. But before you can read, you need to acquire adequate reading skills. As we know, there are still too many illiterate children in the world,” Lehtimaki stated. “The first step is to launch the ‘Kalulu story writing competition’ for creative writers and illustrators. In the competition, we wish to find exciting new stories for children from 7-10 years old written in Nyanja, Bemba, Luvale, Kaonde, Tonga, Lozi or Lunda. The length of the stories should be 150 – 400 words (1 – 2 pages). And the maximum number of stories to be submitted by one writer is five. The writers and illustrators can work either in pairs or individually,” Lehtimaki stated. “The jurors are top experts from University of Zambia (UNZA) and Curriculum Development Center (CDC). They will be recruited by CAPOLSA which is the newly established UNZA Centre for the Promotion of Literacy in Sub-Saharan Africa. There are four categories of awards, each valued at K1 million. Best creative story, best illustrated creative Story, best poetry and best illustrated poetry. And the winner of the Grand prize of K2 million will be selected from all entries. The stories have to be posted before August 15th to POST.NET Box 90, P/Bag E835, Kabulonga, Lusaka or emailed to: “The winning stories will be financially rewarded and they will be distributed free-of-charge to children. The organizer is entitled to copy, distribute and modify the stories for the purposes of enhancing the reading skills of children. Any other use of the stories will be agreed separately. Under the cooperation with the Zambian Ministry of Education, the reading materials can also be accepted as part of the Zambian primary school curriculum,” stated Lehtimaki.

Tommy Donbavand >> Story Writing Competition - Winner!

This year’s spooky story writing contest attracted over 150 entries – the highest number ever!  The standard of writing – from creepy characters to petrifying plots – was incredible, and I’d like to thank everyone who entered.  However, there can only be one winner, and this year it is…

Cira from Sandycroft CP School!

Many congratulations to Cira!  Her story, Dagger Nails , had suspense, action, and an ending that made me shiver.  You can read it in full below.

Cira’s prize is that she will become a character in one of my future books.  However, while all previous winners have been included in the Scream Street series – those adventures are now complete.  So, Cira will appear in one of the books in my brand new, top secret series – Project FC !  I’ll be in touch soon to tell her all about it.

Now, here’s Dagger Nails , by Cira…

—

The children’s bedrooms were dark and musty as they entered the twilight hour.

Each child was still awake even though it had gone midnight. “Beware he’s coming he’s coming he has razor sharp nails in fact DAGGER nails, if you see hear click clack click clack run away as fast as you cannnnn” the voice faded. Each child was still with fright, the room was silent once more.

The next morning each child met up at the park.

Sylvia, Emily, Corina, Brandon, Keith and Clyde were their names.

They all Started to chatter at the same time.

“Did you hear the voice last”… Emily broke off as Brandon started talking over her.

“Last night was”…

Clyde cut over Brandon, his long blond hair flopping over his brown chocolate drop eyes.

“Everyone calm down lets all talk at different times so we can all be heard” He talked fast like he always did.

Everyone was silent.

“Emily you go first” Clyde urged her

“Well last night I heard a deep voice” Emily didn’t want to carry on.

Ebony

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