The National Written and Illustrated By... Contest

Many children's authors and illustrators discover their passion for writing and/or illustrating during their early school years. Creativity sparks amid the burgeoning pursuits of reading, composition, journaling and art techniques. Often, kids are more comfortable with the creative process than adults and feel less threatened when asked to share their work with classmates or teachers.

For this reason, as well as to encourage those students who are timid or insecure about their imaginative endeavors, contests for students remain a successful outlet for discovery and reward of new talent in the Arts. Numerous entrants, winners and those who did not garner awards, have reaped the benefits of these competitions: courage to submit their work and the confidence which accompanies such; enhanced self-esteem and pride in their workmanship; tenacity and stick-to-itiveness.

Contests and awards open to students of varied ages are numerous; one example is The National Written and Illustrated By... Contest, held annually by Landmark Editions, Inc. In 1987, for the 14-19 year-old category, the National Written and Illustrated By... Contest was won by Stacy Chbosky, 14, for her remarkable tale "Who Owns the Sun?" The previous year, merit in this same age group was garnered by 19 year-old Dav Pilkey, for his story "World War Won". Both of these talented young people moved on to careers in the Arts.

Stacy Chbosky's "Who Owns the Sun?", is the simple yet moving tale of a young boy discovering his place in the universe. The unnamed narrator marvels at the wonders of God's creation, asking his adored father, who owns the sun, the wind, the flowers etc. The boy's father answers him, characterizing the strength, freedom and beauty of nature. Satisfied with his father's answers, trusting and proud of this hard-working, strong man, the boy accepts these truths.

Bringing lunch to his father in the fields one afternoon, the young boy stops to listen when he overhears two men talking about his father. Though their words are admiring, the young boy uncovers an awful truth and rushes to confront his father. Desperately hoping to hear he has misunderstood, the young narrator is devastated to learn that though the sun, wind, and rain might be free, that his father and mother and he, himself, are not.

The end of the book reveals the freedom later gained by this slave and his beloved father, leaving readers with a sense of rightness and peace.

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