Only one entry per person will be accepted. Stories can be fact or fiction, prose or poetry. Children who cannot write may dictate their story to an adult. Text may be integrated into the illustration pages or on individual pages. Non English text must be translated on the same page and the translation text must adhere to word count.
Invented spelling is acceptable.
Preliminary judging will take place through the sponsoring PBS station which will send its first place winners to the National Contest. The National judges will include, but not be limited to, children's book authors, illustrators, publishers and educators - as well as representatives of organizations such as the American Library Association, National Council of Teachers of English, etc. Decisions of the judges are final. Each National winner will also receive a personal Reading Rainbow Library set of 10 tapes and books. In addition, their schools and public libraries will each receive a similar Reading Rainbow Library.