Be A Famous Writer Contest! Have Your Child's Story Turned Into A Book!

Wouldn't it be awesome to have your child's story turned into an illustrated book and video? 

Mrs. P.com's "Be a Famous Writer Contest" offers children the opportunity to write and submit their stories and offers great prizes to winners, finalists and contestants. 

Want to hear more about it? Listen to what Mrs. P has to say:

We absolutely adore Mrs. P and her site because she truly knows how to unlock the world of travel through books for children.

We had the opportunity to interview Mrs. P about her site and her awesome contest and here is what she had to say:

What sparked your interest in creating a writing contest for children?

MRS. P:  Technology has helped make entertainment for children immersive and visually spectacular.  All the kid has to do, really, is sit there and be entertained.  I thought it would be nice to offer an option that requires the child to use her or his own imagination and creativity.  I'd hate for that to become a lost art.  On a more selfish level, I started the contest because I love to read stories written by kids. They can be so funny and surprising and beautiful.

We see that your contest is open to children as young as four years old. If four year olds cannot formally write their story, is it okay to have them dictated? Is it permissible for parents/caretakers/teachers to help edit a contestant's story?

MRS. P:  Oh, certainly.  The important thing is that the kids create the stories from their own imaginations.  If they have help with spelling or grammar or putting it down on paper, that is perfectly fine.  Some of the greatest writers in history have had help from their editors.  F. Scott Fitzgerald was a terrible speller, but he wound up writing the great American novel. Who knows?  Maybe his original title before it was edited was "Thuh Grate Gatsbee."

What are some characteristics of a winning story?

MRS. P:  All of the winning stories have been very different.  The only thing they seem to have in common is they move the reader in some way - by making them smile or cry or just care about the characters.  Beyond that, and this not very scientific, the winning stories just seem to "stick" with the reader.  After you put the story down, you find yourself thinking about it and the characters.  I suppose that means the writer has captured something real.  

We love the digital story time you offer on your website. What do you like the most about bringing these books to life for young minds?

MRS. P:  The stories we read and hear as kids stay with us for the rest of our lives.  They inform our choices in ways we aren't even aware of.  The classic stories I read have withstood the test of time because they have something real and important to teach us.  Helping kids discover these treasures makes me very happy.  I also love playing all the characters with all their different voices when I read.  It's like karaoke for book lovers!

What is your favorite story to read to children?

MRS. P:  Oh my, there are so many, and I go through phases of what my favorite is at any given time.  Right now, I'm enjoying "Jack and the Beanstalk."  The "fee-fi-fo-fum" part is so... empowering.  And when I read it to kids in-person, we all shout it out together.  Too much fun!

What are some classic books you suggest for every home with children?

MRS. P:  First of all, I would recommend a collection of stories by the Brothers Grimm.  There's a reason we're still reading them hundreds of years after they were compiled.  They are the source material for many, many of our movies, TV shows, video games and contemporary stories.  I would also keep a collection of Han Christian Andersen's stories on my shelf.  His writing has a gentle, compassionate love of humanity that teaches a wonderful lesson to kids.  Of course, there are countless newer works for children that have so much to offer - and just having books around the house is in itself important.  Someone once said they never feel quite comfortable in a house without books, and I think I'd agree.  

Click here to see some of the fun prizes that you can win by entering the Be-A-Famous-Writer Contest and enter your child today!!