Charlotte and Bronson's PBS Kid's Go Writer's Contest!

Oh, how my kids LOVE contests.  Ever since Tanner and Ashlyn were old enough to watch PBS Kids we have had our eye on that PBS Kids Go Writer's Contest.  The contest is open for kids ages Kindergarten through 3rd Grade.  We started noticing this contest about the time Ashlyn and Tanner were in second grade and at the time I had been writing free lance articles for magazines so the writer's bug was real in our house.  The PBS Kid's writing competition gave our kids to compete like mom in a writing competition.  They had so much fun writing and illustrating their stories that Ian couldn't wait for the next year when he would be old enough to participate.  And much to our surprise Ian took second place in the Kindergarten division.  And that cemented the fact that we would be participating in this contest every year for the rest of our lives.  When Charlotte was finally old enough to enter she took first place in the Kindergarten division.  And finally this year Bronson was old enough to enter and was so excited to find out that he took 2nd place in the Kindergarten division and much to our surprise Charlotte took 2nd place in the 2nd grade division.  The awards ceremony is always so much fun.  This year it was held on the ISU campus.  The kids were able to read their stories to an audience while their illustrations played on a slide show.  They were then given a bag of swag which included several chapter books, picture books, a REAL metal slinkie, some noise putty, pencils, and other toys.  And then to our great excitement, this year they were presented with $100 dollar checks to be deposited in a college savings account!!  And to top it all off the kids got a cake with their names on it for dessert.

As if that wasn't all enough, the local newspaper ran an article that spanned three pages including pictures, details about the contest, and the kids stories.  They pretty much became celebrities at their schools.  You better believe they will be competing again next year!

Love these creative little bugs.  Here are their stories.  The stories with the illustrations will appear on the PBS Kids website soon and you can view them by clicking on this LINK.

Bronson's story had to be under 250 words and that is not easy to do to get a whole story out and developed.  This is what he came up with:

The Volcano Problem

By Bronson Fillmore

Once on an island called Nundis, a group of friends lived together.

One day, Peg and Cat were walking into town.  They saw a volcano with a puff of smoke.  “We’ve got a really big problem,” said Peg.  Cat ran to the tower and rang the bell.  The villagers ran to the tower to talk about the problem.

“Oooooahhh,” said Curious George.  “George, are you saying that we should move to another island?” said The Man in the Yellow Hat.  “Ahhhh!” said George, which meant, “Yes!”

Martin Kratt said, “Maybe we could cut down the volcano!”

Pinkalicious said, “We could fill the volcano hole with pink frosting to stop the lava.”

Daniel Tiger said, “We could tell the volcano to stomp three times to make itself feel better.”

The villagers all argued that their idea was best.  Curious George climbed to the top of the tower, and yelled, “Ooohaww!”  Everyone stopped arguing. “George,” said the Man in the Yellow Hat, are you saying we should work together?”  George said, “Ahhhh!” which meant, “Yes!”

The villagers worked together to pack their things onto a boat and cruised to another island.  They were safe and happy because they learned to work together.

Charlotte's story had to be under 350 words.  Here is her story:

Snow Sisters

By Charlotte Fillmore

Elizabeth is ten years old.  Elizabeth has red hair.  Elizabeth can dance and draw.

Elizabeth is an only child.  Elizabeth is lonely.  “Go and play,” says Elizabeth’s mom.  Elizabeth needs a friend.  Elizabeth wants a sister.  Elizabeth makes Snow Sister.

Snow Sister is eleven years old.  Snow Sister has white hair.  Snow Sister can smile and wave.  Snow Sister and Elizabeth are not lonely anymore.

Elizabeth and Snow Sister read together.  They play stuffed animals together.  They have a cold tea party together.  “Time for school, Elizabeth” says Elizabeth’s mom.

Elizabeth goes to school.  Snow Sister is lonely.  Snow Sister gets a fever.  She starts to sweat.  She loses weight.  She misses Elizabeth.

Elizabeth comes home from school.  It is a warm day.  Snow Sister looks sick.  Elizabeth is worried.  Elizabeth doesn’t want Snow Sister to melt.  She lays Snow Sister down on a sled and takes her to the edge of the lake.  She cuts a chunk of ice from the bank.  She puts Snow Sister on the ice boat and pushes her towards Antarctica.  Elizabeth is lonely.

Snow Sister arrives at Antarctica.  A family of penguins takes her in and feeds her snow soup.  They fatten Snow Sister up and help her feel better.  Snow Sister misses Elizabeth.  She waves goodbye to her friends.

On the first day of Winter, Elizabeth looks out towards the lake.  She sees Snow Sister!  She is happy.  She meets Snow Sister at the lake.  She puts Snow Sister on her sled and brings her home.  The girls hug.  Their friendship keeps them warm (in snowman version).

Elizabeth has a surprise for Snow Sister.  She goes into her house and brings out her new baby brother.  Baby brother waves to Snow Sister.  Snow Sister smiles.

Elizabeth makes Snow Sister a snow dog and a snow cat.  No one is lonely.

Blackfoot Morning News Article LINK.