PBS Kids' Writers Contest open until March 31

Do you have a child who likes to write and draw?

Children in kindergarten through fifth grade are invited to enter the PBS Kids' Writers Contest. The contest is produced by WQED, WPSU, PBS39 and WVPB and is based on the Reading Rainbow Young Writers and Illustrators Contest.

All entries must be postmarked by March 31.

Only one entry per child will be accepted and all stories must be written by the entrant. (No co-authored stories.)

Word count requirements

• 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 150 words and a maximum of 550 words.

• The word count includes "a," "an," and "the," but not the words on non-story pages such as the title page or those that enhance the illustrations.

• Text must be printed or written legibly or typed.

• Children who cannot write may dictate their story to be printed, written legibly or typed.

• Text may be integrated into the illustration pages or on separate pages.

• non-English text must be translated on the same page and the translated text (English text) must adhere to word count.

• Invented spelling is accepted.

Format AND Illustrations

• Stories must have at least five original, clear and colorful illustrations.

• Original art can include drawings, collages, and 3-D 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.

To enter

Each entry must include the official PBS Kids Writers Contest entry form, with the required signatures.

Entries will be judged by a minimum of three judges on or about April 10.

Forty percent will be awarded for creativity and originality of plot and/or themes; 40 percent will be awarded for story structure and use of literary devices; and 20 percent will be awarded for relevance, quality and originality of illustration.

Winners will be notified on or before April 31.

There will be first-, second- and third-place winners per grade, as well as an honorable mention winner per grade.

For a complete set of rules and regulations, as well as an entry form, go to www.wqed.org/education/writers-contest/enter.