Do you know of any children who dream of becoming the next J.K. Rowling or Maurice Sendak and creating their own imaginary world of young wizards or wild things? If so, Thirteen/WNET New York encourages them to participate in the 14th Annual Reading Rainbow Writers and Illustrators Contest, which invites children – kindergarten through third grade – to write and illustrate their own stories. The national contest is sponsored by Reading Rainbow, the award-winning public television series hosted by LeVar Burton that inspires children to explore the world of books. Each year, the contest attracts upwards of 40,000 entries nationally.
Each kindergarten and first-grade participant must submit an original story of 50 - 200 words. Each second- and third-grade participant must submit a story of 100 - 350 words. Stories may be fact or fiction, prose or poetry, but must include at least five original, clear and colorful illustrations.
For complete rules and an entry form please visit www.thirteen.org/kids/rainbow or send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to: Reading Rainbow Contest c/o Thirteen/WNET New York, 450 West 33rd Street, New York, NY 10001. Deadline for submissions is March 25.
The contest is sponsored by WNED-TV, Buffalo and Smarterville Productions LLC. Major funding for the contest is provided by The Arthur Vining Davis Foundation and Country Inns and Suites.
Thirteen/WNET New York is one of the key program providers for public television, bringing such acclaimed series as Nature, Great Performances, American Masters, Charlie Rose, Religion & Ethics NewsWeekly, Wide Angle, Secrets of the Dead, NOW With David Brancaccio, and Cyberchase – as well as the work of Bill Moyers – to audiences nationwide. As the flagship public broadcaster in the New York, New Jersey and Connecticut metro area, Thirteen reaches millions of viewers each week, airing the best of American public television along with its own local productions such as The Ethnic Heritage Specials, The Thirteen Walking Tours, New York Voices, and Reel New York. Thirteen extends the impact of its television productions through educational and community outreach projects – including the Teaching and Learning Celebration – as well as Web sites and other digital media platforms. More information can be found at: www.thirteen.org.