Cheerios Spoonful of Stories

One of the goals I would like to complete before my 40th birthday in October is to write a children's book. I have found a great place to start. You know how Cheerios has been putting books in boxes of cereal for the past several years? I just found out they have given away 35 million over the past 7 years. That is a lot of books! But, they don't want to just encourage readers, Cheerios wants to find new authors. For the third year, the Cheerios Spoonfuls of Stories New Author contest helps to encourage previously unpublished children's books authors to wreite new books. Entries are being accepted until July 15, 2009. Juding will be based on appropriate story and content for 3-8 year olds; emotional connection; writing quality; uniqueness; and read aloud potential. (Details: Spoonful of Stories Contest.) Last years' winner, "The Great Dog Wash" by Shellie Braeuner will be in this 1.5 million boxes this year. It is printed in both Spanish and English. She won $5000 and the chance to have her book reviewed by Simon & Schuster. They are publishing the book in hardcover this summer. Would you like a chance to win "The Great Dog Wash" and 3 other books that will be appearing in a Cheerios box near you? To enter: Leave a comment about reading. (Ideas: How often do you read to your kids? What is your favorite storybook character? What storybook character is most like you? or your kid?) Bonus entries (leave a separate comment for each): * Add my button to your blog * Follow me on twitter * Twitter about this giveaway * Follow my blog * Subscribe to my blog Contest ends Thursday, May 14th. Please make sure your profile is public or include your e-mail address in your comment. If I can't easily find my winner, I'll have to pick another one. Limited to US addresses only.