RSPCA searches for the next Jemima Puddleduck
Children’s short story competition launched
Young people are being encouraged to go wildlife spotting this half term to get inspiration for a new children’s short story competition – Wild About Britain – run by the RSPCA.
The wildlife-themed contest is being launched today (Friday 26 October 2012) and is inspired by classic bedtime tales such as Wind in the Willows, Peter Rabbit and Fantastic Mr Fox – which a recent survey showed still top the list of the nation’s favourite wildlife stories and characters.
The rules are that it must be no more than 500 words long and feature an animal or animals from British wildlife. There will be two age categories – 11 years and under and 12 to 16 year-olds and a judging panel will award a gold, silver and bronze for each category and people can also vote for their favourite story online.
Chris Packham, RSPCA Vice President and ambassador for the competition, said: “What could be a more perfect way to enjoy half-term than go out into our autumnal woods and search out signs of animals like hedgehogs, foxes and badgers – then go home and write about them.
“Characters like Mrs Tiddywinkle, Fantastic Mr Fox and Badger from Wind in the Willows have thrilled children and got them excited about the wild world around them for generations. Now we are looking for a new family of inspiring wildlife personalities and think there may well be some budding young writers out there who may help us.
“With the Olympics, Paralympics and Jubilee it has been an incredible year for Great Britain – now it is time to remember that our wildlife is great too.
The survey* commissioned by the RSPCA found that Roald Dahl’s Fantastic Mr Fox was the nation’s favourite wildlife book, followed by the Beatrix Potter series and then Kenneth Graeme’s Wind in the Willows. Peter Rabbit was named the favourite wildlife character, followed by Fantastic Mr Fox and Badger from Wind in the Willows.
Ophelia Dahl, Roald Dahl’s daughter and chair of Roald Dahl’s literary estate, also comments, “I am thrilled that Fantastic Mr Fox has been voted the nation’s favourite wildlife story. I recall my dad trying out the tale on my sister Lucy and I, as a bedtime story. We’re delighted that clever Mr Fox is still a favourite across the country. I hope that such classic tales and memorable characters will inspire a generation of budding writers to get involved in Wild About Britain which I am delighted to be supporting. This is a brand new and hugely exciting competition for children where they can explore Britain’s great outdoors for inspiration and create their very own adventure.”
The closing date for the competition is midnight on Monday 10 December 2012 and the winner will receive a selection of books from Random House publishers and be published on the website. The full judging panel is to be confirmed but will include Chris Packham.
For more information see http://www.wildaboutbritain.org.uk
Notes for editors
* The survey was conducted amongst 1008 adults aged 16 – 64yrs in Great Britain via TNS OnLineBus during the 24th – 27th September 2012
Around 50% of the 1.1million phone calls to the RSPCA’s 24 hour cruelty and advice line concern wildlife and a lot of the charity's work involves improving their welfare and ensure they are not only treated better but valued, protected and celebrated.
As well as the short story competition, the RSPCA will be celebrating our native wildlife by launching themed timeline covers on the RSPCA_Official Facebook page and highlighting the work we do to rescue and care for our wild animals.
For more info about RSPCA wildlife work please visit http://www.rspca.org.uk/allaboutanimals/wildlife
RSPCA, Wilberforce Way, Southwater, Horsham, West Sussex RH13 9RS
Press office direct lines: 0300 123 0244/0288 Fax: 0303 123 0099
Duty press officer (evenings and weekends) Tel 08448 222888 and ask for pager number 828825
Email: press@rspca.org.uk Website: www.rspca.org.uk
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