I Love Costa Rica’s Rain Forest! Young Travel Writers and Artists Contest

S U M M A R Y

Contest / Scholarship

Type:

Art

Description:

Prizes donated by Rand McNally’s online store at www.RandMcNally.com

Smart Poodle Publishing presents

First Place Winners in three grade categories (5K-1st grade, 2nd-3rd grade, 4th-5th grade) will each receive these three prizes (Value listed):

Rand McNally Personal Journeys World Pinable Wall Map ($84.99)
Rand McNally Hard Bound World Atlas ($24.95)
Kids' Travel Activity Bundle ($15.80)
A Check for $100

Second Place Winners in three grade categories (5K-1st grade, 2nd-3rd grade, 4th-5th grade) will each receive these two prizes (Value listed)
:
Rand McNally Traveler Series Kids Illustrated Wall Map  ($64.99)
Kids' Travel Activity Bundle ($15.80)

Third Place Winners in three grade categories (5K-1st grade, 2nd-3rd grade, 4th-5th grade) will each receive this prize (Value listed):

World Knowledge Bundle ($22.90)

About the Essay

The story should a real or imaginary travel adventure set in the Costa Rican rainforest.
Read all you can about the plants, animals and natural environment (including preservation) of Costa Rica’s Rain Forest online and at your local library. Start with the Lilly Badilly website. www.lillybadilly.com/costarica.htm. Make sure you can find the country of Costa Rica on a map!
In your story, include info about the real plants, animals, and natural environment of Costa Rica’s Rain Forest.

About the Artwork

Draw, color or paint a picture (using any medium i.e. crayon, pencil, markers, paint) to submit with your essay.
Your picture should be completed on an 8.5” X 11” sheet of paper & must be mailed to Smart Poodle Publishing along with Entry Form.

Sponsor:

Smart Poodle Publishing and Rand McNally

Sponsor's Goals:

Mission Statement
Smart Poodle Publishing believes that young, intelligent children deserve imaginative books that entertain and educate them without being condescending. We also maintain that supplementing what children read with what they hear is crucial to emotional and intellectual development. That is why a CD is included with each of our books. We set out to educate, entertain and delight not only the young reader, but also his or her entire family.

Our Motivation
Just step into any bookstore in America, and you’ll find the sheer number of books and magazines to be somewhat shocking. Combine that with all the information out there in cyberspace, and it can be overwhelming for readers to make a choice. Many children's books are a joy to read - from the classics to brand new stories. However, we have found that many more are lacking in quality. The creators of Smart Poodle Publishing found this to be especially true with some children’s picture books. Some stories seem to be unoriginal or uninteresting. Some even have bland artwork. Many themes have been recycled so many times that it is hard to find a book for a young curious child that is unique, yet doesn’t talk down to the reader. At Smart Poodle Publishing we know that all children are gifted children who want to laugh and learn at the same time.

Our goal is to provide original, entertaining and educational reading materials for intelligent, inquisitive children. Our books combine extraordinary, educational storytelling, geography and humor with colorful artwork. We take this a step further by recording our books on CD, complete with narration, hilarious voiceovers, sound effects, music and songs. Those who are just learning to read can listen and follow along with the pictures. Best of all, our books are loved by the entire family! How often have you read a child a book and been a bit bored? Not with Smart Poodle Publishing books! Grandparents, parents and siblings of all ages with enjoy reading and listening along.

Deadline:

2009-11-30

P R I Z E S

Total # of Prizes:

Low Prize:

Top Prize:

$100

R E Q U I R E M E N T S

Applies To:

Art

For Residents of:

Grades:

1,2,3,4,5

Other Requirements:

Contest Rules

This contest is free! No Purchase necessary.
Contest is open to USA residents in 3 grade level groups as of the contest deadline date November 30, 2009 (5K-1st grade; 2nd-3rd grade; or 4th-5th grade).
The story should be no longer than 1,000 words.
Give your story an original title.
The story must be original. Do not copy any other published work in your story including The Travel Adventures of Lilly P Badilly: Costa Rica.
Parents, please do not help your kids write their stories or draw their pictures.
Please type your story so it can be easily emailed to the publisher.
At the end of your essay, list the names and authors of any books used to research your story, and also include any websites you used for your essay.
Submit your story via email in a Microsoft Word Attachment or just paste it into the text of the email. No fancy fonts please. Email it to smartpoodle@comcast.net. We will reply via email to confirm it has been received. Include child's name, grade (as of 9/30/09) and parent's email address.
Click on website to print out an Entry Form with a checklist and mail it in with your artwork.
Mail your original 8.5 X 11 inch artwork with name and parent’s email address on the back to Smart Poodle Publishing, PO Box 817468, Hollywood, FL 33081. DO NOT fold artwork. It will fit in a 9 X 12 envelope. You may include a hard copy of your story if you like, but the story must still be emailed.
If you want your artwork returned, please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope.
Deadline to enter has been extended to November 30, 2009. Stories must be emailed by this date & artwork postmarked by this date.
Previous Smart Poodle contest Winners and Honorable Mentions are not eligible for awards.
Teachers: You may send in entries from your students and use your email address rather than a parent's. All artwork from a class can be mailed togther.
Judging

Stories will be judged by travel and teaching professionals.

Stories will be judged on the following criteria: 1) Originality and creativity of both the essay and artwork 2) Quality of writing (appropriate for the age of the child) 3) Demonstrated understanding of the Costa Rican Rain Forest 4) How well the entrant follows the contest rules

Prizes/Awards

All prizes donated by Rand McNally’s Online Store at www.randmcnally.com.
There will be 9 winners - One First Place Winner, one Second Place Winner and one Third Place Winner in each of the 3 age categories: 5K-1st grade; 2nd-3rd grade; or 4th-5th grade. (See prizes listed above.)
Winners’ stories will be published on our website and Rand McNally’s website using the authors names & photos. We will request photos after winners are chosen.
Winners will be notified by December 15, 2009.
Prizes will be mailed by Smart Poodle Publishing to winners.

smartpoodle@comcast.net

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