Potential Children’s Authors

Originally posted as a giveaway on May 10, 2009 on The Zimmer Zoo.

A few days ago, MyBlogSpark.com sent me 4 children’s books: Monkey and Me by Emily Gravett, Duck for President by Doreen Cronin, When Dinosaurs Came with Everything by Elise Broach, and The Great Dog Wash by Shellie Braeuner. (My kids are really enjoying the dinosaur one.)

What do these books have in common? They are all a part of Cheerios Spoonfuls of Stories. The Great Dog Wash even won last year’s New Author contest!

And I have the opportunity to give away a similar book gift set to one lucky reader!!

I’m also happy to promote the opportunity for anyone out there who has dreamed of becoming a children’s author! (If you’re interested in the giveaway but not the author part, feel free to skip the next few paragraphs.)

Over the past seven years, Cheerios Spoonfuls of Stories has given away more than 35 million children’s books by distributing them free inside cereal boxes and has donated nearly $3 million to First Book, their non-profit partner, which provides books to children from low-income families.

In addition to encouraging children to read, Cheerios is looking for anyone interested in writing children’s books. Now in its third year, the Cheerios Spoonfuls of Stories New Author Contest is a way to encourage previously unpublished, up-and-coming children’s book authors and to continue to nurture a love of reading. Entries are being accepted March 16 through July 15, 2009 and will be judged on appropriate story and content for children ages 3-8, emotional connection, writing quality, uniqueness, and read-aloud potential. More details on the contest can be found at www.spoonfulsofstoriescontest.com.

Shellie Braeuner, the first year’s winner, won for her book “The Great Dog Wash”. This nanny from Nashville won a $5,000 cash prize and the opportunity to have her book reviewed by Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing. Simon & Schuster offered Shellie a book deal – and will publish her book, illustrated by Robert Neubecker, in hardcover this summer. In addition, Cheerios will be featuring “The Great Dog Wash” free inside 1.5 million boxes of Cheerios. The book has been specially printed in paperback in both English and Spanish and will be available free inside boxes of Cheerios this spring.

Cheerios is also announcing the winners of the second New Author Contest:

• Lori Degman, of Vernon Hills, Ill., won the top prize for her story, “1 Zany Zoo.” In addition to winning a $5,000 cash prize from Cheerios, Degman earned the opportunity to have her book reviewed by Simon & Schuster Children´s Publishing. Simon & Schuster has since offered Degman a book deal; her book is expected to be released in 2010, initially in paperback distributed inside Cheerios boxes, and later in hardcover sold in the market.
• Cheerios also named two runners-up in the contest: Tameka Fryer Brown, of Charlotte, N.C., for her story “I’m Not Eating That!” and Joan Stradling, of Star Valley, Ariz., for her story, “Who Invites a Pig to Dinner?” Both Brown and Stradling will receive a cash prize of $1,000 from Cheerios.

Are you or someone you know an aspiring children’s book author? Then GO FOR IT!!