Young Readers are invited to write a short story about one of their own real life or imaginary travel adventures anywhere in the world. The best story will be published on smartpoodlepublishing.com or lillybadilly.com. Three winners will each receive a cash prize of $25 plus free copy of the Travel Adventures of Lilly P. Badilly: Costa Rica, autographed to each winner by Author/Illustrator/Voice Talent Debbie Glade.

Contest Rules:

• This contest is free!
• The story can be short, but make it no longer than 1,000 words.
• The story should be based on a real life or imaginary journey you took anywhere in the USA or the world! (What did you see and do that made this adventure unique? What happened that was different or exciting?)
• The story must be original. Do not copy any other published work in your story!
• Parents, please do not help your kids write their stories.
• Submit your story via email to smartpoodle@comcast.net or mail it to Smart Poodle Publishing, PO Box 817468, Hollywood, FL 33081. Please include a parent’s email address, so we can notify you if you are a winner.
• Deadline is September 1, 2008.
• Contest is open to readers in the USA in 3 age groups.
  • • -ages 5-6
  • • -ages 7-8
  • • -ages 9-10
• There will be 3 winners – one winner in each age group.
• Each entry will be judged upon creativity, interest and how well the story is written.
• Winners’ stories will be published on our website using only the authors’ first names and last initials.
• Winners will be notified by september 15, 2008.
• If you have any other questions, send an email to smartpoodle@comcast.net.


Cool Contests,
Great Prizes at
Contest Alley

Here are some tips on encouraging your children to read more:

1. Make reading to your kids a daily habit. Your child is never too young for a story. Starting at birth will ensure your child will love reading as she grows.
2. Give your child the feeling that reading time is special by making sure there are no distractions.
3. Let your child choose the story.
4. Make reading fun by animating the story with your voice or having your child act out the story as you read or you acting it out as your child reads.
5. Talk about the story after you have finished reading. What was your favorite part?
6. Visit the library often, and check for special events for kids. Kids can have their own library card.
7. Give gift cards from your local or online bookstore to your child for holidays and celebrations. Encourage family members to do the same when they ask you what they can buy for your child.
8. Let your child see how much you enjoy reading.
9. Encourage your reader to write his own short story along with drawing a picture of the story.
10. Set up a place in your child’s room for a small library.

Please send us your tips and stories about reading with your kids!

We’ve got a new interview online.  Check it out. http://readerviewskids.com/InterviewGlade.html.

The Travel Adventures of Lilly P Badilly: Costa Rica has received its first ever review from readerviews.com. Seven-year-old reviewer Matthew Felicano said, “I liked The Travel Adventures of Lilly P Badilly: Cosa Rica a lot. It was educational and showed me new things about a new country. . . this book was really good.” Soon we will share an author interview with you and some other reviews. In the mean time, please tell me what you think of our book!

Hello readers! I am the author and illustrator of the book and voice on the CD. I want you welcome you to Smart Poodle Publishing and The Travel Adventures of Lilly P Badilly:Costa Rica. Take a few minutes to check out the website and learn all about Lilly and her exciting adventures. You can also learn more about Costa Rica here. You can order my book on this site with the help of your parents or grandparents. Please send me an email through the Contact Us link on the site or write a message here with your personal review of the book. Please include your first name and your age. Happy Reading everyone!Debbie Glade