Pickering hosting Tails of Hope children’s writing contest

The City of Pickering is putting the focus on its young writers of tomorrow with its second annual Tails of Hope Short Story Children’s Writing Contest, with the launch party for the contest this Saturday at the Pickering Town Centre.

The contest encourages children to use their imagination to create an animal-related story of their own (14 – 20 pages long). Select stories will be professionally published, and children will be given their own copy to share with family and friends.

“We were blown away by last year’s authors and decided to make this an annual event,” said Lindsey Narraway, Supervisor, Pickering Animal Services. “Children with exposure to animals tend to have greater self-esteem, less loneliness, and enhanced social skills. Children are the future, and as educators and professionals in the field, it is our goal to help cultivate a generation that is kind, confident, and empathetic to animals of all kinds.”

The Launch party will be from 12-4 April 30 and attendees will get an opportunity to learn more about the contest and hear young authors from last year read their stories, with story time sessions place at 12:30 & 2:30 pm. at Centre Court in the BeMIndful Garden.

Pickering Animal Services, Pickering Public Library, HiFive Kids Dental & Braces and the Pickering Town Centre are sponsoring the contest. Visit pickering.ca/storycontest or call (905) 427.0093 to learn more or to register.