Calling All Writers and Illustrators in Alabama (K-3)!
Alabama Public Television encourages children in kindergarten through third grade to get creative and take part in the 2025 APT Young Writers Contest. Children can write about any subject they choose, fiction or non-fiction, in poetry or prose, and then create pictures to go along with their story. See contest rules for details.
State winners in each grade level (K-3) will receive trophies and gift certificates. First place winners in each grade level will receive a laptop computer. Every child who participates will receive a certificate of recognition for their work.
Download your entry form and submit it with your child’s book. Include a self-addressed, stamped envelope if you would like the book returned. Deadline for entries is March 15, 2025. State winners will be notified in May.
2025 Important Contest Dates
September 15, 2024
First date to Submit Your Story to APT
April 1, 2025
Last Date To Submit Your Story to APT
May 15, 2025
Judging Completed and Alabama Winners Announced
Alabama Public Television’s kids writing contests have inspired thousands of young authors in Alabama during the last twenty years, and several have become national contest winners.
Request A Form from APT
If you are having issues downloading our entry form, and would like to request a form by mail, please write to:
APT Young Writers Contest
Alabama Public Television
2112 11th Avenue S. #400
Birmingham, AL 35205-2884
The APT Young Writers Contest is an educational outreach initiative of Alabama Public Television. For assistance, please contact Dwayne Johnson here.
Young Writers Contest Past Winners by Year
2024 Winners
KINDERGARTEN
1st Place to “Petal – The Flower That Needs to Grow” by June Jordan, Birmingham, Ala.
2nd Place to “Boredom Survival Guide” by Gunner Cho, Pike Road, Ala.
3rd Place to “Brave Sister Saves the Day” by Georgia Kate Gleason, Owens Cross Roads, Ala.
FIRST GRADE
1st Place to “Jeff and Bob Adventures Chapter 1: Food” by Grace Anne Childers, Owens Cross Roads, Ala.
2nd Place to “A Field Trip to Planet Glug-Glug” by Nehara Bakshi, Vestavia, Ala.
3rd Place to “A Sea Turtle Dance Off” by Melody Franklin, Hurtsboro, Ala.
SECOND GRADE
1st Place to “Desi Loves Pizza” by Everly Mosco, Birmingham, Ala.
2nd Place to “Jack’s Wierd Day” by Oliver James Gurganus, Gurley, Ala.
3rd Place to “My Shirt Almost Choked Me!” by Colin Kimble, Montgomery, Ala.
THIRD GRADE
1st Place to “A Flamingo with Short Legs” by Adam Xue, Montgomery, Ala.
2nd Place to “The Cat Milk Thief” by Zoey Rice, Auburn, Ala.
3rd Place to “Finding Courage During the Vietnam War” by August Farmer, Huntsville, Ala.
2023 Winners
KINDERGARTEN
1st Place to “Bobby Wants Candy” by Deuce Mann, Alexander City, Ala.
2nd Place to “The Buffalo Jumped Over the Fence” by Olan Michael Thornberry, Section, Ala.
3rd Place to “It’s My Birthday” by Kydall Alicia Gadie, Trussville, Ala.
FIRST GRADE
1st Place to “The Shakeshift Pets” by Colin Kimble, Montgomery, Ala.
2nd Place to “The Handy Dandy Guide to Surviving a New School” by Ren Hawkins, Clanton, Ala.
3rd Place to “Zora and the Dragon Lyda” by Brooklyn Ryan, Pell City, Ala.
SECOND GRADE
1st Place to “Wax and Wings” by William Talalight, Owens Cross Roads, Ala.
2nd Place to “The Christmas Reindeer” by Adam Xue, Montgomery, Ala.
3rd Place to “The Loser’s Boat” by Billy Kindred, Gurley, Ala.
THIRD GRADE
1st Place to “Curious Cat’s Field Trip” by John Luke Allcorn, Cullman, Ala.
2nd Place to “The Real Spirit of Christmas” by Ellis Brewer, Tuscaloosa, Ala.
3rd Place to “Lilly’s Big Field Trip” by Emily Bearden, Huntsville, Ala.
2022 Winners
KINDERGARTEN
1st Place to Cora Davis for “The Dragon That Lives On a Mountain By Me”
2nd Place to Anna Grace Williams for “My Horse Luke”
3rd Place to Rennly “Ren” Hawkins for “Animal Hero”
FIRST GRADE
1st Place to Kellen Lockwood for “Haumea Hatches”
2nd Place to Emma Cho for “Meloudy and the Magic Berries”
3rd Place to Billy Kindred for “The Snowman”
SECOND GRADE
1st Place to Augustine Warner for “Suzie and Her Chickens”
2nd Place to John Luke Allcorn for “The Power of Teamwork”
3rd Place to Lakyn Smith for “A Chase at Friendly Farm”
THIRD GRADE
1st Place to Anvika Haradanahalli for “Cloud’s Enchanted Day”
2nd Place to Aubrey Ann McGuire for “Moving”
3rd Place to Viviann Stricklin for “All About College”
2021 Winners
Kindergarten:
First Place to Kace Powell of Sylacauga for “Three Monsters”
Second Place to Kenzie Garrett of Alexander City for “Stuck on Mars”
Third Place to Kellen Sara Lockwood of Huntsville for “Dog Heroes”
1st GRADE
First Place to John Luke Allcorn of Cullman for “Harry’s Adventures”
Second Place to Shiloh Kizer of Adamsville for “The Little Kitten”
Third Place to Lorenzo Torres of Madison for “Turtle Is Lost”
2nd GRADE
First Place to Ethan K. Chatterton of Hoover for “The Duck Who Needed an Umbrella”
Second Place to Lila Golightly of Helena for “The Tulip Who Wanted to be a Human Girl”
Third Place to Anvika Haradanahalli of Hoover for “The Mystic Island”
3rd GRADE
First Place to Brennan Lockwood of Huntsville for “C.I.A.: Children’s Investigative Agency”
Second Place to Brycelyn Blackmon of Boaz for “Hippo Hippo”
Third Place to Jon Thomas Macri of Madison for “Missing”
2020 Winners
Kindergarten:
First Place to Ves Peters of Alexander City for Snakes
Second Place to Cooper Scott of Alexander City for The Mysterious Dog
Third Place to John Luke Allcorn of Cullman for Symbol of America
First Grade:
First Place to Sam Wade of Hoover for A Sunflower’s Life
Second Place to Ethan Chatterton of Hoover for The Boy Who Wanted to Touch the Stars
Third Place to Sharisia Upchurch of New Market for Leslie’s Pets
Second Grade:
First Place to Bria Cecil Moses of Crossville for Anna’s Alliteration Adventure
Second Place to Jon Macri of Madison for How to Get the Perfect Christmas Tree
Third Place to Brycelyn Blackmon of Boaz for The Snake’s Feast
Third Grade:
First Place to Anna Kate Allcorn of Cullman for Cherokee Girl
Second Place to Alodie Hill of Arab for My Favorite Birds
Third Place to Janie Kate Taggart of Montgomery for Pig People.
2019 Winners
Kindergarten:
First Place to Seth Schouten of Alexander City for The Brave Lion
Second Place to Ethan King Chatteron of Hoover for The Spaghetti River
Third Place to Sadie Claire Bishop of Kellyton for The Ocean Camouflage
First Grade:
First Place to Brennan Lockwood of Huntsville for A Dog in My Family
Second Place to Juliana Torres of Madison for The Short Princess
Third Place to Mary Michael Hardy of Newville for Slime Gone Wrong
Second Grade:
First Place to Summer Lee for Lilly’s First Sleepover
Second Place to Anna Kate Allcorn of Cullman for Frogs, Flies, and Huckleberry Pies
Third Place to Alodie Hill of Arab for The Great American Ballerina
Third Grade:
First Place to Abram J. Powell of Cullman for Camping Under the Bluff
Second Place to Sarah Ann Hicks of New Hope for Unicorn Diaries
Third Place to Margot Smith of Birmingham for Petunia & Clyde
2018 Winners
Kindergarten:
First Place to Bria Cecil Moses of Crossville for Eagle Girl
Second Place to Brennan Lockwood of Huntsville for Story of Me and the Groundhog
Third Place to James Adams of Alexander City for The Goat and the Pig
First Grade:
First Place to Anna Kate Allcorn of Cullman for The Golden Goat
Second Place to Ezra Kizer of Adamsville for Cosmo
Third Place to Knox Irvin of Birmingham for Dinosaurs
Second Grade:
First Place to Owen Chatterton of Hoover for Animals That Eat Ice Cream
Second Place to Knox Irvin of Birmingham for Fun to Run, Fly and Swim with Animals
Third Place to Ila Hardin of Harvest for Bifocals
Third Grade:
First Place to Emma Rodgers of Homewood for Sincerely Santa
Second Place to Aoife Martin of Birmingham for The Pencil That Couldn’t Draw
Third Place to Carmyn Thomas of Alexander City for Kangaroo the Helpful Dog
2017 Winners
Kindergarten:
First Place to Alodie Hill of Arab for The Farm
Second Place to Ezra Kizer of Adamsville for Jack
Third Place to Anna Kate Allcorn of Cullman for Little Fuzzball
First Grade:
First Place to Addison Barber of Montgomery for My Brandy
Second Place to Ila Hardin of Harvest for Cat Travel
Third Place to Knox Irvin of Birmingham for Dinosaurs
Second Grade:
First Place to Lucy Fields of Jasper for The Left Out Fairy
Second Place to Harmony Franklin of Hurtsboro for Mom Takes Me to the Queen Artist
Third Place to Landri Kilpatrick of Florence for Why Did it Have to Be Me?
Third Grade:
First Place to Joshua Macri of Madison for Dinosaurs at the Door
Second Place to Faith Swanson of Daphne for Magic in the Meadow
Third Place to Ian Chatterton of Hoover for Food Fight
2016 Winners
Kindergarten:
First Place to Owen M. Chatterton of Hoover for Hootie, The Shy Little Owl
Second Place to Liddie Quick of Cullman for The Bee
Third Place to Anakin Powell of Cullman for The Dark Cave
Third Place to Abram Powell of Cullman for Camping at the Beach
First Grade:
First Place to Emma Rodgers of Homewood for Abbie and the Ungrowing Flower
Second Place to Harmony Franklin of Hurtsboro for Where’s My Key
Third Place to James “Luke” Craiger of Gardendale for Flight
Second Grade:
First Place to Weston Talalight of Owens Cross Roads for Paperland
Second Place to Sanika Nair of Birmingham for Chloe and Gloria
Third Place to Lily G. Smith of Hazel Green for The Mermaid Treasure
Third Grade:
First Place to Della Johnson of Alabaster for i and e Learn a Lesson
Second Place to Alicia Gaspar of Albertville for Molly the Monkey
Third Place to Macy Brooks of Hollywood for The Adventures of Math Heroes: The Math Heroes Meet Geometry Guy
2015 Winners
Kindergarten:
First Place to Asa Kizer of Adamsville for The Eagle Can Do Many Thangse
Second Place to Haven Delorey of Cantonment, FL for Two Dancing Cows
Third Place to Emma Rodgers of Homewood for The Lonely Ladybug Family
First Grade:
First Place to Ian Chatterton of Hoover for The Elephant Who Needed a Bath
Second Place to Chloe Esther Noever of Owens Cross Roads for The Flairy
Third Place to Sydney Theall of Birmingham for The Rescue
Second Grade:
First Place to Della Johnson of Alabaster for The Chicken That Was Chicken
Second Place to Chaden Hill of Arab for Mystery of the Dark Chibi
Third Place to Tessa Hanson of Woodstock for The Adventures of Prairie Girls
Third Grade:
First Place to Karissa Moses of Crossville for Lisa Swims Through the Cycle
Second Place to Eva Ledvina of Birmingham for Siblings Can Be Useful
Third Place to Karalina Man of Ider for My First Time at the Beach
2014 Winners
Kindergarten:
First Place to Samantha Turral of Tuscaloosa for La Historia de las Mascotas de Mary (The History of Mary’s Pets)
Second Place to Alexandria Roden of Ider for Pig Escapes
Third Place to Andrew Lea of Henagar for My Nightmares
First Grade:
First Place to Ellie Errett of Cullman for Princess Ellie and the Magic of the Paintbrush
Second Place to Kailee Cline of Harvest for The Elephant that Never Ate a Peanut
Third Place to Della Johnson of Alabaster for Lulu the Moon is Falling
Second Grade:
First Place to Karissa Moses of Crossville for Lisa Adds Up
Second Place to Karalina Mann of Ider for My First Day Camping
Third Place to KayLee Mann for of Ider Adventures of Library Pig
Third Grade:
First Place to Melody Jordan of Cragford for A Great Friendship
Second Place to Rebekah Cline of Harvest for The Dream World Adventure
Third Place to Izabella Kulczykz of Birmingham for The TV Remote
2013 Winners
Kindergarten:
First Place to Jacob Doshier of Hartselle for How My Dad and I Caught a Snake
Second Place (tie) to Becker Mayor of Birmingham for Pig Escapes
Second Place (tie) to Della Johnson of Alabaster for Happiness of Spring
First Grade:
First Place to Karissa Moses of Crossville for Lisa Saves the Day
Second Place to Madalyn Steely of Spanish Fort for Pepperoni Princess
Second Grade:
First Place to Rebekah Cline of Harvest for Tori’s Butterfly
Second Place to Farrah Leigh Hawkins of Birmingham for Ava Goes to the Flower Disco
Third Grade:
First Place to Harrison Coleman of Birmingham for Max Gets Better at Math
Second Place to Cheryl Kaye Marshall of Birmingham for Aly Changing
2012 Winners
Kindergarten
First Place to Ben James of Athens for All About My dog Shelly
Second Place to Holly Davenport of Gadsden for Monster Sports
First Grade
First Place to Evelyn Carswell of Franklin for John and Betsy: The Missing Cat
Second Place to Maddie Errett of Cullman for A Magical Adventure
Second Grade
First Place to Cheryl Marshall of Birmingham for Aly’s Great Adventures
Second Place to Pete Talalight of Owens Crossroads for Tricky Tom and the Tooth Fairy
Third Grade
First Place to Hannah Willcutt of Fayette for The Bear Parade
Second Place to Jackson Baggett of Cullman for Spider Gets a Pet
2011 Winners
No contest was held in 2011.
2010 Winners
Kindergarten
1st place Hattin Berryman from Waterloo, AL “Gramy Goes to Space”
2nd place Cheryl Kaye Marshall from Birmingham, AL “The Good Dog”
3rd place Sofie Jean Pickett from Phenix City, AL “Finding Grandma”
First Grade
1st place Jackson Baggett from Cullman, AL “The Spider Who Couldn’t Swim”
2nd place Evan Nicholas Leary from Montgomery, AL “Weasler and the Big Purple Blimp”
3rd place Eden Kennedy Morris from Birmingham, AL “The Pug Parade”
Second Grade
1st place Taylor Elana Moore-Jones from Dixon’s Mills, AL “Sunny Days are Here”
2nd place Maria Joy Moxey from Mobile, AL “Lizzy the Dancing Scientist”
3rd place Benjamin Starkey from Southside, AL “A New Day”
Third Grade
1st place Ellie Talalight from Gardendale, AL “The Crab who wasn’t Crabby”
2nd place Molly Kay Rose Richardson from Prattville, AL “The Very Special Gardener”
3rd place Jordan Hale from Hartselle, AL “Jake: Best Day Ever!”
2009 Winners
Kindergarten
First Place – Ryan Woods, World Scouts Dog Club, Owens Cross Roads, AL
Second Place – Reagon Neil Carter, The Animal Band, Dothan, AL
Third Place – Evan Nicholas Leary, The Lighthouse, Montgomery, AL
First Grade Winners
First Place -John Paul Sellers, Mr. Sheep Shaved, Cottondale, AL
Second Place – Percy James Pickett, Foods of the Rainbow: Colorful Fruits and Vegetables,Phenix City, AL
Third Place – Claire Blasingame, My Trip to China, Huntsville, AL
Second Grade
First Place: Jordan Hale, Jake Goes to the Barbershop, Hartselle, AL
Second Place: Mark Dyer, Max and Mark, Hanceville, AL
Third Place: Enoch Sparks, Magic Songs, Hazel Green, AL
Third Grade
First Place: Emma Hovanes, Doodle the Poodle, Huntsville, AL
Second Place: Amanda Dennis, Two Inches Tall, Morris, AL
Third Place: Alex Freeburg, The Night Sky, Birmingham, AL
2008 Winners
Kindergarten:
First Place- The Turtle’s First Trip to the Moon by Caroline Quina of Mobile
Second Place- Buggy Bug’s Birthday by Percy James Pickett of Phenix City
Third Place- Winter, Winter by Taylor El’ana Moore-Jones of Dixon’s Mills
First Grade:
First Place- Mean Jake Goes to the Dentist by Jordan Hale of Hartselle
Second Place- Gymnastic’s Girl by Maggie Mann of Warrior
Third Place- When My Hair Was Very Long by Claire Wright of Madison
Second Grade:
First Place- The Forgotten Fairy by Sabrina Rue of Northport
Second Place- The Day Coyote by Ellie Talalight of Gardendale
Third Place- Daisy the Duck by Terrell Ann Bolton of Warrior
Third Grade:
First Place- A Child’s Look at Poetry by Kelly N. Miles of Montgomery
Second Place- The Queen Who Didn’t Like Rubies by Isabella Gillette of Hartselle
Third Place- Oliver’s Missing Bike by Tori Arrington of Fort Payne
2007 Winners
Kindergarten
First Place – How Stacey the Mermaid Got Her Legs by Lauren Choi of Birmingham
Second Place – When I Was a Baby by Aaron Dyer of Dutton
Third Place – The Butterfly Likes to Fly by Tori Allen of New Market
First Grade
First Place – Anne Rescues Her Pig by Jewell Marie Holland of Montgomery
Second Place – Lucky Lawrence by Kacie Fleming of Russellville
Third Place – Love on a Snowy Day by Nicholas Swinney of Trussville
Second Grade
First Place – The Lonely Star by Cheyenne James of Weaver
Second Place – My Guinea Pig by Skyler Jones of Bessemer
Third Place – Maggie’s Poetry by Maggie Rowell of Brewton
Third Grade
First Place – The Unlucky Girl by Pate Simmons of Birmingham
Second Place – A Baby and a Cat by Stella Davis of Birmingham
Third Place – The Soccer Men by Will Dailey of Birmingham
2006 Winners
No contest was held in 2006.
2005 Winners
First Place
Luke Reynolds of Albertville
Lauren Doyle of Bessemer
Chanda Shaw of Huntsville
Tayllor Hanson of Woodstock
Second Place
Dakota Caffee of West Blockton
Ariel Odom of Mobile
Michael Kathryn Cassity of Trinity
Jordan Sanders of Huntsville
2004 Winners
Kindergarten
First Place to Joshua Samuel Judkins of Auburn for Joshua’s Famous Picture
Second Place to Ariel Odom of Mobile for The Frog That Ate Olives
First Grade
First Place to Michael Kathryn Cassity of Trinity for The Girl Who Cried Tooth
Second Place to Madison Underwood of Birmingham for Violin Lessons for Oslo
Second Grade
First Place to Rachel Cohrs of Hoover for Look Around
Second Place to Nathaniel Craft of Hueytown for There’s A Snake In My Boot
Third Grade
First Place to Hunter Wallace of Gadsden for Charlie the Trolley goes to the Circus
Second Place to Matthew Shapiro of Huntsville for The Chaotic Wizard
2003 Winners
First Place
Jessica Goodwin of Decatur for Bob the Ball Ornament
Rachel Cohrs of Birmingham for I Wish I We’re a Dog
Hattie O’Hara of Decatur for Red Ribbons
Annalise Holmes of Eva for Planet Opposite
Honorable Mentions
Jonathan Reddix of Alabaster for Flying My Kite
Luke Henry of Russellville for The Mouse Who Had Kittens
Mason Wooliver of Somerville for Tito and the Forest
2002 Winners
Kindergarten
First Place to Brock Dunaway of New Brocton for Big Ears
Honorable Mention to Tayllor Hope Hanson of McCalla for A Sad Day
First Grade
First Place to Sarah Grace Tucker of Birmingham for No Boys Allowed
Honorable Mention – Alivia Malynn Dart of Jasper for Brianna’s Bad Paintings
Second Grade
First Place – Hayley Suzanne Stewart of Trinity for I Wish I Had a Sister
Honorable Mention – Sarah Clancy of Satsuma for Fun at the Beach
Third Grade
First Place – Andrea L. Williamson of Hartselle for Angela’s Apple Tree
Honorable Mention – Neil Chakraborti of Tuscaloosa for The Garage Sale
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