Award-Winning Author To Judge National Children’s Writing Competition

Award-winning War Horse author Michael Morpurgo is to judge a children’s creative writing competition as part of Yorkshire Festival of Story (YFOS 21), an online event happening next month.

Children from across the UK are challenged to write a 750-word fairy tale that features a tree or trees. Open to children aged 7-11 and in conjunction with Hull Culture & Leisure Library Service, the writing competition provides a fun and interactive way for children either at home or school to engage with the natural world and pave the way for a brighter future for the planet, inspired by stories of change and collaboration. 

Michael Morpurgo will judge each story and three winners will receive book tokens and a tree planted in Story Wood in the Yorkshire Dales. Each tree will feature a QR code so visitors to Story Wood can scan and download each winning story. Michael will write a personal response to each winner and they will also receive a signed copy of his latest book, ‘When Fishes Flew.’

Michael Morpurgo said: ‘A connection with nature is vital for young people and for all of us. I’m delighted that this competition is focusing on nature writing and very much looking forward to reading the entries.’

YFOS is organised by Settle Stories and will run for two weeks in November. Following last year’s success, the festival which will champion diverse voices, will be online again and the theme will explore we want the world to look like next and ask how we can pave the way for a better future.

Settle Stories’ CEO and Artistic Director, Sita Brand adds:

‘Our aim is to help children discover the power of storytelling and create the future they want to see. This generation is growing to be great custodians of our planet – more so than many adults, and this competition allows them to unleash their creativity while making a long-term positive difference.’

The Children’s Fairy Tale Competition is open to all and closes on 18^th October. Visit https://www.settlestories.org.uk/whats_on/fairy-tale/ to download a resource pack and during the festival.

Prizes include:

1st place

• £100 book token
• Tree planted in our Story Wood with a QR code linking to your story 
• A personalised response to your story by Michael Morpurgo 
• A signed copy of Michael Morpurgo’s latest book ‘When Fishes Flew’

2nd Place

• £50 book token 
• Tree planted in our Story Wood with a QR code linking to your story
• A personalised response to your story by Michael Morpurgo 
• A signed copy of Michael Morpurgo’s latest book ‘When Fishes Flew’

3rd Place

• £30 book token
• Tree planted in our Story Wood with a QR code linking to your story
• A personalised response to your story by Michael Morpurgo 
• A signed copy of Michael Morpurgo’s latest book ‘When Fishes Flew’

Runners up

3 runners up will receive:

• A personalised response to your story by Michael Morpurgo 
• Tree planted in our Story Wood with a QR code linking to your story
• A signed copy of Michael Morpurgo’s latest book ‘When Fishes Flew’

All eligible entrants will receive a certificate. To enter you must be between 7-11 years old and live in the UK.