New short story competition offers more opportunity

New short story competition offers more opportunity for young authors

§ Short story competition offers eight classes years 1-8 the chance to become published authors & raise funds for Starship

§ Winning classes learn top writing skills from renowned authors

§ Book illustrated by rugby hero Keven Mealamu

§ Entries now open – close 27 May – see www.barfoot.co.nz/challenge

Barfoot & Thompson has launched their new Young Authors Challenge, offering more local primary and intermediate school children the chance to experience the joy of publishing their creative works.

Following the popularity of last year’s third annual Storybook Competition, Barfoot & Thompson has expanded the once single story book in to a compilation of short stories to enable more budding writers to take part.

This year, an unprecedented eight classes will be able to win the chance to have their short story feature in a real book, which will be printed and sold to benefit the Starship Foundation.

“This programme is about fostering a life long love for reading and writing, and we want as many children as possible to participate and experience the magic of creating their own story,” says Peter Thompson, Managing Director of Barfoot & Thompson, which fully funds the programme.

Mr Thompson encourages teachers to take advantage of the unique learning opportunity by entering their class’ best short story before 27 May.

“The Young Authors Challenge offers a range of benefits for students. It fits well within the primary and intermediate curriculums, and can also deliver real outcomes for the children involved, something that is recognised to enhance the learning experience,” he says.

In addition to seeing their creative works feature in a real book, the winning classes will be treated to special workshops with well-known Kiwi authors and their stories will be brought to life by rugby legend and amateur artist Keven Mealamu.

Mr Thompson said the winning classes would also get the pleasure of producing a book that will be a great help to other Kiwi kids.

“Once published, the storybook will be sold, with every cent raised benefiting the Starship Foundation. We also provide copies of the books for children who stay overnight in the Starship Children’s Hospital and the Whangarei Children’s Ward.

Past books including Room 22 and Jumbo, the Monster Caterpillar by the inaugural winners from Colwill School in West Auckland, The Weather Fish by Room 10 at Ahipara School and Paul and the Magic Pencil by Room 15 from Waiau Pa School in Franklin, have all helped raised more than $80,000 for the Starship Foundation.

Important information:

§ The Barfoot & Thompson Young Authors Challenge is open to all primary and intermediate classes at schools in Auckland and Northland.

§ Entries close on Friday 27 May.

§ Teachers can find out more at www.barfoot.co.nz/challenge.

ENDS

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