Treehouse Tales Young Writers' and Illustrators' Contest Rules

Contest Rules Overview

- Each entry must be an original work-written and illustrated by the entrant.

- Invented spelling is acceptable.

- A child who does not write can dictate their story.

- Subject matter may be prose or poetry, fiction or non-fiction, and illustrations should

complement and enhance the text.

- All four-grade levels, kindergarten through Third Grade, are judged separately.

- Parents and teachers are encouraged to work with children, however, the overall

concept and text must be the child's.

Eligibility

The Treehouse Tales 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 WCNY, Public Broadcasting System, and other 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 and First Grade stories must be 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.

- The word count includes “a”, “an”, and ”the”, but not the words on non-story pages such as the title page.

Illustrations

- Must have at least five (5) original, clear, and colorful illustrations.

Story Text

- Must be printed legibly (or typed)

- Can be dictated for transcription if the child cannot write.

- May be integrated into the illustration pages or on individual pages.

- Non-English text must be translated on the same page; the translation text must

Adhere to word count.

- Invented spelling is accepted.

Format

- Stories must be created on one side of the paper only.

- Number each page on the back.

Official Entry Form

- Must be complete, legible, and must include parent, guardian, and/or teacher (if appropriate) signatures.