Young writing competition launched for Bookfest (From Wimbledon Guardian)

Merton schools' young writing competition launched for Wimbledon Bookfest 2013

8:00am Saturday 9th March 2013 in News By Lauren May, Chief Reporter

Merton schoolchildren are being asked to get their creative juices flowing with the launch of Wimbledon Bookfest’s 2013 writing competition this week.

The 2013 Young Writers Competition was officially launched on March 7, which is World Book Day.

Children’s author Steve Cole, who penned the Astrosaurs and Cows in Action series, visited Wimbledon Chase School and St Mark’s Primary School in Mitcham, where children from more than 10 schools attended.

This year’s competition carries the theme War and Peace chosen by judges to tie in with the forthcoming 100 year anniversary of the Great War.

Fiona Razvi, festival director said: "Last year over 30 schools took part in the competition and we are expecting it to be just as popular this year.’

"There’s all sorts of references the children can look to.

"For example the classic picture books by Wimbledon born Jill Murphy’s ‘Peace at Last’ and ‘5 Minutes Peace’ give a very domestic interpretation and of course there’s Michael Foreman’s ‘War and Peas."

"Our judges tell us its originality and creativity they look for."

The competition is aimed at children aged 4-18 years and is run in partnership with schools.

For more information visit wimbledonbookfest.org or email education@wimbledonbookfest.org.