NHPBS Kids Writers Contest
Send Us Your Stories!
See the winners from the 2020 NHPBS Kids Writers Contest...
The NHPBS KIDS WRITERS CONTEST is open to all kids in grades K-5. We are working on getting the stories from the 2021 and 2022 contests judged and posted on the web. the 2023 contest will officially launch on January 1, 2023.
If you have any questions about the contest email sadams@nhpbs.org
Basic Rules
- Kindergarten and first grade stories must have a minimum of 50 words and a maximum of 200 words.
- Second and third grade stories must have a minimum of 100 words and a maximum of 350 words.
- Fourth and fifth grade stories must have a minimum of 200 words and a maximum of 500 words.
- Stories must have at least five original, clear and colorful illustrations.
- Original art can include drawings, collages, and 3-D art created by the author or photographs taken by the author.
- Stories submitted by mail must be created on one side of the paper and numbered on the back of each page.
Rules, entry forms, and tips for writing a winning story can all be found right here in the blue box on the KIDS WRITERS CONTEST site!!
The Contest in the Classroom
The KIDS WRITERS CONTEST is a great way to promote writing and integrate the arts. It is aligned to New Hampshire reading, writing, and art standards. Writing activity sheets and a contest guide for parents, caregivers, and teachers are available in the resources section of the contest site.
Parent/Teacher Guides
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Contest Guide (PDF)
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Contest Poster (8.5x11, PDF)
About the Contest
The NHPBS KIDS WRITERS CONTEST is open to children in grades K-5. They are asked to write and illustrate an original story. The contest runs from September through March. We encourage schools, classes, and after-school programs and clubs to participate as well as home-school children. Children may also submit individual entries. Every child who enters the contest will receive a personalized response to his or her story, a ribbon, a certificate of achievement, and their story will be posted to the web.
Support for the NHPBS Kids Writers Contest comes from the NH Lottery.
Watch Online
Writing Tips From Julianna!
Are you working on a story for the CONTEST? Are you struggling with writer's block, having a hard time editing, or maybe you are having a hard time getting started. Not to worry, Julianna has some writing tips for you!
Fluffy Face
Read by Dena Marie P., fourth grade winner.
Penelope the Princess Chicken
Read by Logan B., third grade winner.
Lisa's Ice Skating Adventure
Read by Georgie G., second grade winner.
Asteroid Crash
Read by Rayaansh D., first grade winner.
Salsa vs. Guac
Forget the big football game, this story tells the story of the battle of the dips.
The Secrets of a Magician
Who is the mysterious magician that came into Alex's class and wowed the kids.
Abbracadabra: Carbon Footprint Disappear
The Gorilla family starts a movement to lower carbon footprints!
Boy Meets Food
Drawing on his artistic talents, Oliver creates some tasty friends.
Deep Into the Sea
Can you imagine all of the wonderful things you might see if you dive into the sea?
Building Bentley
Every snow person needs a friend like James who will build you up when you lose your snow!
What Do YOU Want to Be When You Grow Up?
What Do YOU Want to Be When You Grow Up? by Mackenzie S., Saco, ME "“ Tinker, tailor, soldier spy "“ what do you want to be when you grow up?
The Land of Quadrilaterals
The Land of Quadrilaterals by Kamara W., Rye, NH "“ While it might be hip to be a square, it is also cool to be a triangle!
Time Slows Down When You Wear a Frown
Time Slows Down When You Wear a Frown by Ella A., Chestnut Hill, MA "“ This thoughtful story looks at what makes you sad, mad, and grumpy and how you can overcome those feelings.
The Case of the Missing Tooth Fairy
The Case of the Missing Tooth Fairy by Meta D., Manchester, NH "“ What could possibly hold up the Tooth Fairy? Is she lost, on vacation, asleep on the job?
A Pet, A Pet, What Should I Get?
A Pet, A Pet, What Should I Get? by Pierce S., Saco, ME "“ This story will guide you through some of the things you should think about when choosing between a giraffe, a skunk and an octopus as a pet.
If Whales Ate Pizza
If Whales Ate Pizza by Elijah L., Hampton, NH "“ Ever wonder what toppings a whale would want on a pizza? Or where they would go to get a pizza?
Schmacey Hacks Time
Schmacey Hacks Time by Abner L., Franceston, NH "“ Be careful the next time you sit down in a chair; it just might be a portal to another dimension.
The Monster Who Turned Into a Worm
A little girl faces a monster in her closet.
Nina's Missing Tooth Adventure
Nina loses a tooth but her hen is happy to find it.
Enough Love
A little girl discovers that she has enough love in her heart.
Jacob and Jack Save the Ozone
The world is getting too hot!
Frog Learns to Meditate
Life can be very stressful for a frog. See how one frog uses yoga to find inner peace.
Bark-King
Imagine a world where dogs rule!
Pierce for President
What does it take to be president? What are some policies you would put in place?
Escar, Little Hippo, Ollie And The Sheltering Tree
Escar the Elephant and Little Hippo help orphaned animals find their special talents.
Claus Builds a Sandman
What does a lonely crab do in the winter on the beach? Why, he build a sandman of course!
Tree House
What would you include in the perfect tree house?
Escar the Excellent Elephant
Escar the elephant may be small, but he is very acrobatic!
Comic Book Making
The comic book market has really exploded in the past few years!
Cookie: A Story About A Purrfectly Different Cat
Cookie the cat might look a little different than most cats.
My First Day of School
The first day of school can be stressful.
Elliot to the Rescue
Elliot the dog races to save a helpless chipmunk in the story.
The Planet Police
Mia L. from Hampton, New Hampshire reads her story The Planet Police.
Escape from School
Sebastian S. from Saco, Maine reads his story Escape from School.
What If My Best Friend Was a Dog
Mackenzie S. from Saco, Maine reads her story What if My Best Friend Was a Dog.
My Guatemala
Eva F. from Atkinson, New Hampshire reads her story My Guatemala.
Orange Tulip
Dover, NH third grader Jishnu D. was the 1st place national winner for third grade in the PBS Kids Writers Contest. His story, "A Humble Book of Poems - With a Little Seasoning," is a collection of poems about the seasons.
Summer Haiku
Dover, NH third grader Jishnu D. was the 1st place national winner for third grade in the PBS Kids Writers Contest. His story, "A Humble Book of Poems - With a Little Seasoning," is a collection of poems about the seasons.
Rain Clouds
Dover, NH third grader Jishnu D. was the 1st place national winner for third grade in the PBS Kids Writers Contest. His story, "A Humble Book of Poems - With a Little Seasoning," is a collection of poems about the seasons.
Summer My Favorite
Dover, NH third grader Jishnu D. was the 1st place national winner for third grade in the PBS Kids Writers Contest. His story, "A Humble Book of Poems - With a Little Seasoning," is a collection of poems about the seasons.
Sitting by the Fire
Dover, NH third grader Jishnu D. was the 1st place national winner for third grade in the PBS Kids Writers Contest. His story, "A Humble Book of Poems - With a Little Seasoning," is a collection of poems about the seasons.
One Fall Evening
Dover, NH third grader Jishnu D. was the 1st place national winner for third grade in the PBS Kids Writers Contest. His story, "A Humble Book of Poems - With a Little Seasoning," is a collection of poems about the seasons.
Let's Play Together
Hampton, NH Kindergartener Mia L. was a national finalist. She wrote about the challenges a moose and a cat face as they try to find a game they can play together in her story "Let's Play Together."
You Don't Have to Have Super Powers to Be a Super Hero
Saco, ME second grader wrote about how doing everyday things can make you a superhero, especially to your little brother and sister, in his story "You Don't Have to Have Super Powers to Be a Super Hero".
The Apple Tree
Gorham, ME first grader Evelyn R. wrote about the memories two girls find in an old apple tree in her story "The Apple Tree."
Who?
Dover, NH third grader Jishnu D. was the 1st place national winner for third grade in the PBS Kids Writers Contest. His story, "A Humble Book of Poems - With a Little Seasoning," is a collection of poems about the seasons.
Driving in the Snow
Dover, NH third grader Jishnu D. was the 1st place national winner for third grade in the PBS Kids Writers Contest. His story, "A Humble Book of Poems - With a Little Seasoning," is a collection of poems about the seasons.
Writing Tips With Julianna | Working Through Writer's Block
The dreaded writer's block. Find out from Julianna just how to handle it!!