First Book Announces the Cheerios New Author Contest!

Do you have a great idea for a children’s story that you’d like to share with millions of people? Well, you are in luck! We are excited to announce that Cheerios® has launched its annual Cheerios® New Author Contest and is searching for the next great children’s book author.

This contest is a part of the Cheerios® Spoonful of Stories program, which has helped to distribute books to children in need and has encouraged millions of parents to read with their children. Each year, one winning submission is published by Simon and Schuster and distributed in millions of Cheerios® boxes throughout the nation. First Book volunteers will read the thousands of submissions for the contest and help to decide the winner.

Laurie Isop of Renton, Wash. was named Grand Prize Winner of the Cheerios® New Author Contest in 2009. In spring 2011, Laurie’s book, How Do You Hug a Porcupine? will be featured in three million specially-marked boxes of Cheerios®, and will be available in bookstores as well; the official release date is July 26, 2011.

If you have a great a story that you’d like to share with children ages three to eight, please visit www.spoonfulsofstoriescontest.com to find out more about this contest. Entries will be accepted from March 22-July 15, 2011.

There were over 8,000 submissions last year, so get to work on your genius idea and good luck!