Grade 5 and 6 students from participating schools in Greater Shepparton are encouraged to write and illustrate a children’s book suitable for a child aged three or four years old.
Each school can select three entries from participating students to put forward to a judging panel, with the entries having to be endorsed and sent in by the school.
Entries for the competition close on Monday, September 11.
The judging panel will pick a winning story, which will be professionally printed and included for 12 months in the ‘book bag’, which is distributed by council’s maternal and child health nurses.
Winners in the past have represented a range of schools throughout the region, including Congupna Primary School, St Mel’s Primary School, Goulburn Valley Grammar School, Shepparton East Primary School, Orrvale Primary School and Bourchier St Primary School.
Last year’s winning story, What is your superpower?, was written by Congupna Primary School Grade 5 student Asim Ismet.
Council manager early years Sally Rose encouraged students to get involved.
“The winning story is distributed to close to 1000 children each year from their maternal and child health nurse,” Ms Rose said.
“Reading is such an important and enjoyable activity for children, and this annual competition aims to encourage a love of books and reading among children and their families.
“The quality of entries we receive each year continues to grow and we look forward to seeing the creativity of the stories submitted by Grade 5 and 6 students this year.”
For more information about the Best Start Story Writing Competition, contact your school or council early years project officer Belinda Schmedje on council@shepparton.vic.gov.au or call 5832 9700.
