Array ( [article_id] => 15398 [company_id] => 1 [user_id] => 0 [article_type_id] => 58 [article_seo_url] => mfs23 [details] => Array ( [Title] => My First Story 2023 [Description] => Get your pupils writing with an engaging story starter video and exciting choice of story templates! [Subheading] => What adventures will your class take Ellie & Robin the elf on? [Age] => 5-7 [Intro] =>

My First Story is an exciting story writing competition for 4-7 year-olds.

There are 5 themed templates, plus a 'create your own' blank template that all share a simple story starter to help your pupils write their story.

Introduce the lesson using the story starter video to engage your pupils, then they finish the story of Ellie & Robin the elf. Where do they go? What do they do? How will their story end? We can't wait to find out!

Check out the free online resources for download for an immersive creative writing lesson. Every entrant receives a bookmark and sticker, and stories are then read by our editorial team and selected for publication in a real book, giving your pupils a purpose for their writing.

For every 30 entries you submit you get a free copy of the book your pupils feature in so every participating school receives at least 1 free copy. It's free to enter so get involved today!

The Magic Door is also open for this age range, the theme is open and entry forms plus lots more additional resources can be downloaded here.

Closing date: 21st July 2023.

[Rules] =>

Only one entry per pupil, there is no limit to the number of entries per school. Teachers please submit your entries altogether where possible!

Ask your pupils to write their story (or an adult can scribe/type it), ensuring their name, age and school name are included.

Stories can be on a template or an A4 sheet of paper or typed (on a computer or in the Online Writing Portal).

Pupils' stories must be their own work!

250-word limit.

Stories can be on any theme but must be inspired by the My First Story story starter.

UK entrants only.

Free to enter.

Open to 4-7 year-olds.

[School Prizes] =>

The school that submits the best overall set of entries will win The Young Writers' Award of Excellence and a £100 National Book Token for their class.

PLUS every participating school receives a free copy of the book their pupils feature in! (Remember, you receive 1 free copy for every 30 entries you submit! E.g. 1-30 entries you receive 1 copy, 31-60 entries you receive 2 copies, etc)

(The winner will be chosen from entries submitted in the Summer Term 2023. The prize will be sent in the following term.)

[Student Prizes] =>

Our 5 favourite published writers will each win a fantastic creative writing goody bag!

PLUS

Every entrant receives a bookmark and sticker. We award a certificate of merit to all young writers chosen for publication.

(Winners will be chosen from entries received in the Summer Term 2023. The prize will be sent in the following term. Goody bag image is an example, contents may differ.)

[Tips] =>
[YouTube] => WV-qgwAY69I [Opens] => 2023-06-05 [Closes] => 2023-07-31 [Extended] => 1 [Orion ID] => 581 [RR Ontraport ID] => 555 [DL Ontraport ID] => 554 [Post Class] => KS1 [Orion Teacher Year] => [How to Enter] => We're looking forward to reading your pupils' stories! [Winners Subheading] => We're delighted to announce the winners... [Winners Intro] =>

Thank you to everyone who has taken part, we have loved reading your stories!

We award 5 x pupil winners a creative writing goody and 1 x school winner The Young Writers' Award of Excellence and a £100 National Book Token.

Here are the winners and their stories, enjoy!

[Winner Word] => [Schools/Clubs] => Schools [Thumbnail] => https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/bonacia-sites/young-writers/competitions/my-first-story-2023/9887-thumbnail.jpg [Background] => https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/bonacia-sites/young-writers/competitions/my-first-story-2023/4559-background.jpg [Logo] => https://s3-eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/bonacia-sites/young-writers/competitions/my-first-story-2023/8588-logo.png [Independent Intro] =>

My First Story is an exciting story writing competition for 4-7 year-olds.

There are 5 themed templates, plus a 'create your own' blank template that all share a simple story starter to help your child write their story on the template they choose.

Introduce the activity with the story starter video to engage them, your child then finishes the story. Where do they go? What do they do? How will their story end? We can't wait to find out!

Every entrant receives a bookmark and sticker, and stories are then read by our editorial team and selected for publication in a real book giving your child a purpose for their writing.

Closing date: 21st July 2023.

[Independent Rules] =>

One entry per person.

Ask your child to write their story (or an adult can scribe/type it), ensuring their name, age and full home address are included.

Your child's story can be on the entry form or an A4 sheet of paper or typed.

Your child's story must be their own work!

Your child's story can be on any theme but must be inspired by the My First Story story starter.

250-word limit.

UK entrants only.

Open to 4-7 year-olds.

[Independent Prizes] =>

Our 5 favourite published writers will each win a fantastic creative writing goody bag!

PLUS

Every entrant receives a bookmark and sticker. We award a certificate of merit to all young writers chosen for publication.

(Winners will be chosen from entries received in the Summer Term 2023. The prize will be sent in the following term. Goody bag image is an example, contents may differ. Independent Entrants are eligible for pupil prizes.)

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