Cheerios® Spoonfuls of Stories® Children’s Book Contest

Cheerios invites previously unpublished adult authors to submit their children’s book manuscripts in the second Cheerios® Spoonfuls of Stories® Children’s Book Contest. Cheerios will provide cash prizes to up to three winners, and the top winner will have their book evaluated by Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing for a potential book deal. A book deal is not guaranteed. For a complete list of rules, go to Spoonfuls of Stories® Contest Official Rules.

Last year, Shellie Braeuner, an SCBWI member from Nashville, TN, was named the grand prize winner. In addition to her $5,000 prize from Cheerios, Braeuner received a book deal from Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing. Her winning story, The Great Dog Wash, is being published and will be printed and available in Cheerios boxes in the spring of 2009. The book also will be available in hardcover on bookshelves in the summer of 2009. Two first prize winners, Alison Anderson of Cumberland, WI., and Kate Heilman, an SCBWI member from Chicago, each received $1,000 from Cheerios.

Deadline: July 15, 2008

Prizes: $5,000 grand prize and winning story will be reviewed by publisher for a potential book deal. Two $1,000 finalist prizes.

Target age group: 4 to 8 year olds

Word length: 500 words or less

Open to: Authors 18 years or older

Submit your entry online: Spoonfuls of Stories® Contest

Judging Criteria:
 
1. Age Appropriate 
    Is the topic/subject matter appropriate for children ages 4 to 8?
    Are the words and the tone appropriate for young children?

2. Emotional Connection 
    Does the story provide an emotional connection with the reader?
    Does it provide a lesson for kids?
    Does it bring a tear to your eye?
    Does it offer high giggle-ability? 
    Are the characters and storyline engaging/appealing?

3. Writing Quality 
    Is the book well-written overall?

4. Uniqueness 
    Is the storyline/plot distinctive or extraordinary?
    Does it re-tell a known story or historical event in a new or
    different way?

5. Read Aloud Potential 
    Is this a book you can easily read aloud with children?
    Is it a book that could be enjoyed again and again?

Stories must be in English text only, and not illustrated.