News / Library is accepting submissions for the 39th young author and illustrator contest

library is accepting submissions for the 39th young author and illustrator contest

BELLEFONTE, PA (January 29, 2024)— Every year since 1985, the Centre County Library and Historical Museum has hosted the Young Author & Illustrator Contest for children in grades 1-6 in Centre County. The contest attracts more than 100 entries each year, as it is a great way for the next generation of storytellers to express their creativity. Children can truly focus on their storytelling strengths and style as entries can be composed of only pictures, only writing, or both. The contest is also educationally inclusive, as children who go to any type of school in Centre County are invited to join, whether they go to a private school, public school, charter school, or even home school! Some teachers even utilize the program as a class project, with every child in the classroom submitting an entry to the contest.

2024 will mark the 39th year of the Young Author & Illustrator contest. Children throughout the county are called to submit their stories by April 1st. Young storytellers can choose to work alone or work together (if they are in the same grade) to write and illustrate a story. All stories will be judged by community leaders and library staff. Stories in each grade level, 1st – 6th, are judged against all other stories in that grade level. The ultimate goal is for children to win 1st place in their grade. This will result in the publication of their story and its addition into the library’s permanent collection. Ultimately, 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners from each grade—along with 2 honorable mentions—will be chosen. While not all winners will have their stories put into the library collection, all placing stories are eligible to be purchased as a hardbound book for $22 per book. Winners will also have their stories celebrated in late April during the Young Author and Illustrator award ceremony. Award winning storytellers and their guests can look forward to a presentation from a guest author and a live reading of an excerpt from their winning story!

Encourage young storytellers you know to enter the Young Author and Illustrator contest. Not only will they be able to tell their story, they have the chance to have that story added to the library’s collection. The collection already includes over 100 books written and illustrated by Centre County children. The next books added could be from children you know! Have them make Centre County history.

For media inquiries please contact

Elizabeth Schwartz

Communications Manager

eschwartz@centrecountylibrary.org

814-355-1516 x1016