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The deadline for entries for Polka's Writing the World - China 2008 story-writing competition has now passed, but read on for more information about future Writing the World competitions and to read acclaimed children's writer Jamila Gavin's China-inspired story.

In January 2008 Polka Theatre launched a story-writing competition for children of primary school age. Over the next five years, we want children to write short stories inspired by different parts of the world. For this year, the focus is on China. We have been delighted to receive over 500 entries! Please check back in early 2009 for details on entering next year's competition.

The deadline for entries was Friday 5 April, 2008. The winning stories were announced at Polka as part of a special China Family Fun Day on Saturday 14 June.

About the Writing the World - China 2008 competition

Polka asked primary age children to write a story that was in some way inspired by China. It might be set in China, either now or in the past. It might have a character in it who is Chinese, or who has been to China, or is interested in China. It might involve an object or photograph from China. It's up to you to decide on the connection.

There were three age categories:
Years 1 & 2: who had to create a storyboard of 6 pictures, with a caption underneath each one.

Years 3 & 4: who had to write a short story of up to 500 words.

Years 5 & 6: who had write a short story of up to 1000 words.

The winning entrants in each age category each won £25 of book tokens. Their stories were performed by professional actors at Polka Theatre on Saturday 14th June 2008, and you can read them below.

To help children to find out more about China we created a resources page and set up an exchange with a school in China.

The winners and their stories

Congratulations to:

Years 1 & 2 winner, Natalie Tsang. You can read her winning storyboard, Panda goes to China by clicking here. 

Years 3 & 4 winner, Xavier Leonard. you can read his winning story, The Chinese Adventure by clicking here.

Years 5 & 6 winner, Ruqayyah Steel. You can read her winning story, Gengzhi, The Golden Girl by clicking here.

Jamila Gavin's China-Themed Story

While children were writing their stories to enter the competition, Polka commissioned acclaimed children's writer Jamila Gavin to come up with top tips to inspire others and to write a 1000-word story of her own. Click here to read Jamila's top tips page, to see some of her early ideas and a first draft of her story. You can read her finished China-themed story by clicking here.