Reading Rainbow's
12th Annual Young Writers & Illustrators Contest

Eligibility

• The Reading Rainbow Young Writers and Illustrators Contest is open to children in kindergarten, first, second and third grades.
• Each grade level will be judged separately.
• Children of employees of Reading Rainbow, GPN, Nebraska ETV Network, WNED-TV, Lancit Media, the Public Broadcasting System and Public Broadcasting Stations are not eligible.

Entry Guidelines

• Entrants must be in kindergarten, first, second or third grade.
• Only one entry per person will be accepted.
• Only single author stories qualify (no co-authored stories).
• Stories can be fact or fiction, prose or poetry.

Word Count

• Kindergarten & first grade stories must contain a minimum of 50 and a maximum of 200 words
• Second & Third grade stories must contain a minimum of 100 and a maximum of 350 words
• The word count includes "a," "an,"& "the," but not the words on non-story pages such as the title page.

Story Text

• Text must be printed legibly (or typed). Children who cannot write may dictate their story to an adult.
• Text may be integrated into the illustration pages or on individual pages.
• Non-English text must be translated on the same page and the translation text must adhere to word count.
• Invented spelling is acceptable.

Format & Illustrations

• Stories must be created on one side of paper and numbered on back of each page in lower right corner.
• Stories must have at least 5 original, clear & colorful illustrations.

Official Entry Form

• Entry form must be complete, legible, and must include parent (& teacher, if appropriate) signature.

Entry Form

Each entry must include the official Reading Rainbow Young Writers & Illustrators  Entry Form, with the required signature of a parent/guardian (and, if appropriate, the signature of the sponsoring teacher), confirming that the story & art are original, and granting permission to use the entry for promotional purposes.

National Judging, Awards & Notification

Entries will be locally judged on originality, creative expression, storytelling, and integration of copy and illustrations. Decisions of the judges are final. Each winner’s story will be posted at www.wipb.org and 1st and 2nd place winners will receive a local prize package. 

Return of Entries

The Contest administrators will make every effort, but are not required, to return entries only if accompanied by a stamped, self-addressed envelope of an appropriate size.  WIPB-TV is not responsible for late, lost, stolen, misdirected, damaged, mutilated, incomplete or illegible entries, or postage-due mail.

Rights Associated with Contest

Winners grant WIPB the right to use their names and likenesses in advertising and promotion without further compensation or permission, except where prohibited by law.  By entering, entrants agree to abide by the above stated rules, and warrant that their entry is their original work and does not infringe upon or violate rights of any third party, and grant to WIPB the right to edit, publish, promote, and otherwise use their entry materials without permission, notice or compensation.

No royalties will be paid at this or any time.