MrsP.com Announces writing Contest winners!

Be-a-Famous-Writer Prize Packs
Originally uploaded by MrsP.com

Back in September, MrsP.com announced that they would be holding their first ever "Be a Famous Writer" Contest. On January 15, MrsP.com announced the names of the two Grand Prize winners. Congratulations go out to Gabrielle Fuller, 8, from North Carolina, takes top honors in the 4- to 8-year-old category with her comic fairy tale, “Pretty Princess and Funky Frog.” In the 9- to 13-year-old category, Isabella Penola, 12, from New York, charmed the panel of famous judges with her poignant tale of an elderly gardener, “Spattered Mud and Crushed Petals”.

“Like everyone, I’m concerned about the state of education in America. But based on the quality of writing for my contest, I’m happy to say a lot of teachers out there must be doing a wonderful job,” said TV star Kathy Kinney, who portrays Mrs. P and is one of the creators of the website.

The Grand Prize winners will have their stories produced as videos featuring Mrs. P, which will be presented on her popular free, interactive digital website. Original artwork by award-winning illustrator, Robin E. Kaplan, will help bring the stories to life. The videos will be posted for a limited time on the website (www.MrsP.com) beginning in March for viewers all over the world to watch and enjoy. In addition, each winner will receive an actual bound copy of the story and illustrations as a keepsake to treasure for years to come. Powell’s Books (www.Powells.com), the largest independent bookseller and the sponsor of the contest, will provide the Grand Prize winners as well as the 8 other finalists with gift certificates to its store.

The judges for the writing contest included four top professionals in the writing field: Dave Barry, Pulitzer Prize-winning humorist and author of dozens of bestselling books; Andre Bormanis, writer and producer of the popular fantasy series, Legend of the Seeker and author of Star Trek: Science Logs; Craig Ferguson, host of the CBS Late Late Show and author of the acclaimed novel, Between the Bridge and the River; and Diana Leszczynski, author of Fern Verdant and the Silver Rose, a comic adventure recently selected as a Smithsonian Notable Children’s Book and currently being developed as a motion picture.

The MrsP.com writing contest is an annual event and runs every September. It was created along with the website to encourage a love of reading.

Thanks to a Truly Passionate Teacher

Culturatti Kids recently provided an author visit to the Lynhurst 7th & 8th Grade Center in Indianapolis, IN. Teacher, Shae Young requested authors, Erika Roman Saint Pierre and Barbara Randall, of the book, Locked In, for the visit. The subject of the presentation was domestic violence. The authors spoke to approximately 50 students and gave them advice on writing about painful or difficult subjects.

During their visit to Lynhurst, Culturatti Kids learned about the innovative writing club founded by Mrs. Young called True Passions. The students are not just given conventional writing assignments but learn about the life and works of contemporary poets, authors and rappers. Members of True Passions are encouraged to express their deepest emotions through freestyle poetry and spoken word. Mrs. Young also publishes the work of her students online and in an annual anthology. For more information on True Passions, visit their website at: http://truepassions.wikispaces.com/.

Culturatti Kids would like to thank Shae Young for being such an inspirational teacher and for her commitment to making literary art fresh for young writers.