World Book Day: Young Writers Competition

Writing is an incredible life-long skill for children to have. By allowing children to express themselves through writing, their imaginations and creativity are sparked.

The competition was split into two age categories: 7 - 9 and 10 - 15. Children were invited to submit a title and up to 500 words on the following themes:

Ages 7-9 – ‘I was flying my kite at Dunstable Downs when suddenly...’

Ages 10-15 – 'I was walking through the woods at Dunstable Downs when...'

Each age category was judged separately by a team of staff and volunteers, who were looking for characterisation, plot, originality, language and enjoyment.

Our winners

The Blue-Butterfly Kite by Carlo Garcia Mesa, age 7

I was flying my kite at Dunstable Downs when suddenly my kite got stuck in a tree. Then a magpie swung from tree to tree, pecked at my kite and broke it into pieces. Then the magpie took my kite and got all the shiny pieces of it.

Another magpie came and wanted to have a peck at the kite as well. Both birds started fighting each other and some black and white feathers were floating down to the ground. After a while I realised my kite was ruined and decided to go for a walk to think what to do next. It felt amazing to think that I was at the highest point in Bedfordshire county.

For some reason I remembered a Spanish book that my Mum read to me called "Buscar" (Searching, if you like). The main character spends his time looking at the ground instead of appreciating his whole surroundings.

In the next hour my eyes were caught by beautiful wild flowers. There was a particular one which looks as if a bee was resting on it. I saw an old lady walking and she told me that this flower's name was bee orchid. I explained to her what happened to my kite and she said "That is in the past now and we cannot control the past but go over there as there are some butterflies who may cheer you up". So I thanked her and kept on walking. She was right. I saw two butterflies kind of black and white, fluttering about. Their colours made me think of the magpies but I smiled at the thought of them.

When I was able to appreciate the upper-side of one of the butterflies I was mesmerised by its lovely pattern. Suddenly I thought of my sister because how this butterfly's wings were decorated reminded me one of her drawings. (She is very good at making 3D art). Then a smaller butterfly appeared. It was blue. I thought to myself " what a coincidence, the name of my sister, Celeste, means light blue, the colour of the sky".

I was finding my hiking more magical by the minute and I wanted to explore further. This time I chose to look up and I saw paragliders far away. I thought "they look small like the butterflies but this is only because they are far away".

Then I thought of the word ‘magical’ and of the title of one of my Mum’s books, the Magic of Reality. I also thought of my kite and of the wonderful walk that I was having. I was enjoying the warmth of the sunshine very much too. I wanted a kite though. ‘Ok Carlo, I thought to myself. I know what to do. I will do a few jobs, I will save some money and I will buy a new kite. And it will be a blue butterfly kite.’ I imagined that kite and I felt very happy.

Peace, Silence and a Gentle Reminder by Aadhavi Alexandra Selvakumar, age 10

I was walking through the woods at Dunstable Downs, and the early morning mist still clung to the grass, the sun had just begun to break through the lowhanging clouds. And the air was cool and fresh, filled with the scent of damp earth and the faint, sweet aroma of wildflower that dotted the edges of the path. The woods felt peaceful, as if I was the only one who had decided to take advantage of the stillness of the day.

The trail beneath my feet was soft, made of a mixture of packed earth and fallen leaves that crunched quietly with each step. I could hear the hum of birds twittering, it felt far removed from the serene world of the Downs. The trees around me stood tall and dense, their trunks dark and covered in moss, while their branches reached upward, twisting and intertwining like the fingers of old friends. Shafts of pale sunlight broke through the canopy, casting beams of golden light that lit up patches of the forest floor, creating soft pools of warmth in the cool shade.

I passed a cluster of ancient oaks, their gnarled branches spreading out like arms, welcoming visitors. A few acorns lay scattered beneath them, some still with their caps intact, while others had already sprouted tiny green shoots. It was as though the forest was quietly inviting life to begin anew, every little detail offering a glimpse of something larger, something ancient.

The path curved slightly, and the woods began to open up as I neared the edge of the downs. The trees thinned, and I found myself standing on a small rise that offered an expansive view of the surrounding countryside. The hills stretched out before me in all directions, their soft green slopes rolling gently beneath the grey sky.

Turning back into the woods, I walked a little deeper, passing a small stream that wound its way through the trees. The water was crystal clear, rippling over the smooth stones beneath it. The sound of the water was soothing, a constant murmur that seemed to blend with the faint rustle of the wind through the leaves.

As I continued, the light changed, becoming softer, the sun now fully risen and casting a warm glow over everything. The woods felt different, almost alive in the way the light shifted, the colors deepening and brightening at once. I took a deep breath, feeling the cool air fill my lungs, and smiled to myself. It was a quiet walk, but a full one, as though each step brought me closer to a deeper understanding of the world around me.

By the time I made my way back to the entrance of the woods, the mist had lifted, and the day had begun in earnest. I left the woods behind, feeling as if I had carried a small part of them with me—peace, silence, and a gentle reminder to slow down and pay attention to the beauty that lies in the simplest of moments.

Congratulations to Carlo and Aadhavi. They have both won a notepad and pen from our shop and a book of their choice from our second-hand bookshop.