Imaginations run wild in quest to find the next Beatrix Potter

RSPCA wildlife short story contest – shortlist announced
 

Press release: Wednesday, 30 January 2013

Stories about a squirrel who returns a stolen necklace to Princess Kate, a mouse who saves a spider from a fire and a frightened fox cub who has lost his mum are all on the shortlist of RSPCA competition Wild About Britain.

Twenty tales featuring all kinds of animal antics have now been selected from more than 200 entries to the a children’s short story contest inspired by classic bedtime tales such as Wind in the Willows, Peter Rabbit and Fantastic Mr Fox.

Entries had to feature an animal or animals from British wildlife and be no longer than 500 words, and will now be judged by an expert panel which includes wildlife TV presenter Chris Packham. They feature all types of wild creatures from foxes to owls and even a viper, and range from comic animal birthday parties to sad stories of foxes being chased.

Chris Packham, who is also an RSPCA vice president, said: “This is such a great opportunity for young people to really let their imaginations run wild – I am really looking forward to seeing what they have come up with.

“Children’s books have always been full of tales about wild animals and their adventures – from Peter Rabbit and Jemima Puddleduck to the Gruffalo. There’s just something about these kind of stories which really appeals to kids and wakes up their creativity.

“We hope this competition shows this off, as well as encouraging kids to really look around them and get inspired by the birds, squirrels and owls in their gardens and parks.”

The competition is divided into 11 years and under and 12 to 16 years age categories, with gold, silver and bronze awards for each. There will also be a people’s choice winner, voted for online by the public.

The gold and people’s choice winners will have their stories illustrated by professionals David Roberts, Paul Howard and Rebecca Cobb as well as tickets to the Roald Dahl Museum and a copy of Dahl’s Fantastic Mr Fox from Puffin Books. The silver and bronze award winners will receive a selection of children’s books from Random House.

The winners will be announced on Thursday, 14 March 2013. For more information or to view the full shortlist see www.wildaboutbritain.org.uk.

Notes to editors

• A list of the shortlisted young people, and where they are from, is available on request for regional media enquiries. Some of them have said they would be happy to be interviewed.
• The Wild About Britain initiative was launched last year to celebrate British wildlife and encourage people to get out and about and enjoying the natural world on their doorstep.
• Around 50% of the 1.1million phone calls to the RSPCA’s 24 hour cruelty and advice line concern wildlife and a lot of the charity's work involves improving their welfare and ensure they are not only treated better but valued, protected and celebrated.

For more info about RSPCA wildlife work please visit http://www.rspca.org.uk/allaboutanimals/wildlife