2027 SMOKY HILLS PBS KIDS Writers Contest

The Smoky Hills PBS KIDS Writers Contest is a fun and educational opportunity for children in 1st through 5th grade to showcase their creativity through writing and illustration. Each year, young authors are invited to submit an original story inspired by the contest theme. Entries are judged by grade level, with 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners selected in each grade.

NEW in 2027

Winning authors will be invited to the Smoky Hills PBS studio to receive their awards and experience what it's like to be on television! During their visit, winners will have the opportunity to read their stories on camera, becoming part of the annual Smoky Hills PBS Writers Contest Awards Show. It's a memorable experience that celebrates creativity, builds confidence, and gives young storytellers the chance to share their imagination with viewers across central and western Kansas.

2027 Theme:

"If I Could Make My Own TV Show..."

What would your TV show be about? Would it feature talking animals, superheroes, science experiments, cooking adventures, or something unique? 

For the 2027 Smoky Hills PBS KIDS Writers Contest, children are invited to use their imagination and create an original story inspired by the theme "If I Could Make My Own TV Show...". We can't wait to see the creative characters, exciting adventures, and imaginative ideas that young storytellers bring to life!

How the Contest Works

Children Eligible to Enter:  Kansas children in grades 1st - 5th 

Submit Story:  There are 2 ways to submit stories.  Either by mail or by online submission (See "HOW TO ENTER STORIES" below)

Winners:  There will be three (3) winners in each grade level, for a total of fifteen (15) winners.

1st Grade - 1st place, 2nd place, 3rd place 

2nd Grade - 1st place, 2nd place, 3rd place

3rd Grade - 1st place, 2nd place, 3rd place

4th Grade - 1st place, 2nd place, 3rd place

5th Grade - 1st place, 2nd place, 3rd place

**A panel of judges will select the winners, and the winners will be announced in the first week of May during the premiere of an award show on Smoky Hills PBS.

Prizes: All winning entries will receive a prize package, have their stories published on SmokyHillsPBS.org, on SHPBS social media platforms (@SmokyHillsPBS), and be featured in the Smoky Hills PBS KIDS Award Show.   

Questions?  Email writerscontest@shptv.org

This packet contains a series of resources to help children break down the process of story writing.  It includes activities to help children with brainstorming, revising, and illustrating.

The 2027 contest will be open for entries on September 1st.

Mail Stories to:

Smoky Hills PBS

PO Box 9

Bunker Hill, KS  67626

**Each story submitted must be accompanied by a completed entry form.

OR 

Email Stories to:

writerscontest@shptv.org

**Please include both the story (.pdf) and the ENTRY FORM.  

JANUARY 4th, 2027

The Purple Animals

by:  Brynn Giannetti

Osborne Elementary

Lizzo and Stripe's Big Fight

by:  Jaycee Koelling

Osborne Elementary

Get Me Out of Here!

by:  Ryder Morris

Osborne Elementary

Charlie's Happy Zoo

by:  Ripley Gillespie

Russell

The Tigers Journey

by:  Brynn Johnson

Colby

Moving Zoos

by:  Emily Kuhlman

Colby

The Tigers and Bears Escape

by:  Kinsley Wagner

Otis-Bison

Ship Wrecked Zoo

by:  Elsie Mai

Russell

Hadley the Monkey

by:  Henleigh Wegener

Otis-Bison

The Missing Lion

by:  Lennon Mai

Concordia

Zoo Attack

by:  Emmett Wright

Sterling

A Day at the Zoo

by:  Journey Goering

Salina

The Secret Adventure

by:  Harper Lamatsch

Hoisington

The Zoo World Series

by:  Jenson Miller

Gorham

Pebbles' Special Surprise Party

by:  Karly Dopita

Zurich

Elaina Ballerina

by:  Elaina Schroeder

Hays

The Kitty Rescue

by:  Evelyn Johnson

Sterling

The Snow Monster Who Hates Christmas

by:  Reata Schultze

Osborne Elementary

The Babysitter

by:  Mila LeSage

Hays

Butterscotch - Friends Forever

by:  Elsie Mai

Smart Cookies Tutoring, Russell

Riley's Surprise

by: Riley Schroeder

Hays

Blueberry Jeffrey and His Adventure

by:  Addison Little

Otis-Bison Elementary

The Discovery of the Huge Robot

by:  Jake Brack

Otis-Bison Elementary

Erik the Gnome Meets New Friends

by: Halle Cory

Otis-Bison Elementary

The Sock

by:  Chiara Lueger

Beloit

The Clock That Couldn't Tick

by:  Jenson Miller

Gorham

My Lake Strip

by: Bryce Irwin

Hays

Zellie's Lofty Dream

by:  Rebekah Lueger

St. John's Catholic School, Beloit

Miss Kay's Garden

by:  Jayden Keller

Damar Elementary

LUCKY the Lost Kitten

by:  Brynn Halbleib

Oakley

Winners of the 2024 PBS KIDS Writers Contest

Scroll down to explore our winning stories and meet the brilliant young authors behind them!

• First Place - Happy Love by Madelyn C. - Osborne Elementary - Osborne
• Second Place - The Lost Animals by Maverick Nicholson - Osborne Elementary - Osborne
• Third Place - Daisy's Flower by Mila LeSage - Lincoln Elementary - Hays

• First Place - The Missing Horse Named Winner by Karlie Gasper - Osborne Elementary - Osborne
• Second Place - An Adventure With Friends! by Owen Mai - Smart Cookies Tutoring - Russell
• Third Place - Wonderful Places  by Everly Reimer - Meade Elementary - Meade

• First Place - Space Explorer by Lincoln Kelly - Otis-Bison Elementary - Timken
• Second Place - Dad's Birthday Weekend at Wilson Lake by Noah Fanshier - St. John-Hudson - St. John
• Third Place - Detective Peaches by Zoey Funk - Otis-Bison Elementary - Olmitz

• First Place - The Story of Lexi by Madison Mawhirter - St. John-Hudson Elementary - St. John
• Second Place - The Queen of Space by Clara Yust - Harvest Christian School - Ulysses
• Third Place - Hallie and Pablo by Hallie Bonner - St. John-Hudson Elementary - Stafford

• First Place - The Homeless Puppy by Andelyn Reimer - Meade Elementary - Meade
• Second Place - Little Owl's Shiny Gem by Gannon Klein - Jefferson Elementary - Great Bend
• Third Place - The Mountain by Daisy Scott - Jefferson Elementary - Great Bend

Frequently Asked Questions

When can I send in my child's story?

We accept stories all year long.  The deadline for stories is usually at the end of February.  Your entry must be postmarked by Feb. 24th.  

Where do I mail my entry?

Smoky Hills PBS

PO BOX 9

Bunker Hill, KS  67626

Can stories be dictated to an adult?

Yes. Children who cannot write may tell their story to an adult who will write it.

Does spelling Count?

No.  The judges do not consider spelling, 'best guess spelling' is okay.

Can clip art, coloring book characters, or stickers be added to illustrations? Can someone else make my illustrations?  No. Your illustrations need to be your own work. 

Do I need to bind my story?  No. We will accept your story whether it is bound, stapled, or simply paper-clipped.

Will I get my original story back?

If you would like your original story back, include an envelope and postage when you mail in your story. After judging is concluded, we will mail back your original copy in the envelope you provide.

When will the stories be judged, and how are they judged?

Stories will be judged from March through early April.  Stories are

judged on originality, creative expression, storytelling, illustrations, and overall impression.  Some things that make a story special include colorful art; a unique story; a story with a good beginning, middle, and end; illustrations that match the story; attention to details; and following the contest rules.

How will I know if my story won?

Smoky Hills PBS will announce winners through a 30-minute production where we read the winner's stories.  The names of finalists and winners will be posted on our website the same day the production airs.  The Writer's Contest Winners show airs in May. More details on this will be announced in April.  

For more questions or inquiries, please contact shptv@shptv.org