Saffron Walden constituency MP Kemi Badenoch has launched a short story competition for young people in Chelmsford and Uttlesford to mark World Book Day 2023 and the contribution the initiative has made to childhood literacy.
Celebrations on the day often include pupils dressing up as literacy characters that feature in their favourite books, but more importantly promotes reading for pleasure by offering every child and young person the opportunity to have a book of their own.
Mrs Badenoch has contacted local primary and secondary schools asking pupils to submit stories of no more than 500 words for the competition, set in or linked to a local town or village in the constituency. It has been split into two age categories, with a winner from years 5 and 6 and another from years 7 and 8 receiving a bundle of books kindly gifted from Pearson and WHSmith.
Local National Poetry Library listed children’s author Alison Miles, creator of the ‘Snippy the Crab’ series will join Mrs Badenoch to judge. If you are struggling to start your story, Alison has suggested as an opening line, ‘There are many tales told of *my town/village*, this is one…’
Commenting, Mrs Badenoch said:
“I am delighted to mark World Book Day this year with a short story competition.
“Like many parents with a busy schedule I treasure the time I can set aside to read to my children, especially since the single biggest impact on a child’s independent reading is whether a parent reads to them. World Book Day has become an established date in the school calendar and one that children (including my own) look forward to.
“Thank you to local author Alison Miles for kindly agreeing to help judge the competition. I wish everyone the best of luck and look forward to reading all of your stories.”
Entries are encouraged from all children in years 5, 6, 7 and 8 who live/go to school in the constituency.
Submissions should be sent to [email protected] with the subject line ‘Short story competition 2023’, or sent by post to Kemi Badenoch MP, House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA. Please include the child’s name, school/address and age.
Deadline is Friday 3rd March.
