TUCSON, Ariz. (May 5, 2009) – Twelve writers in kindergarten through third grade were recently recognized for their winning stories in the 15th Annual Reading Rainbow Young Writers and Illustrators Contest.

The young authors and illustrators from Tucson and Southern Arizona were recognized for their unique creative writing and original artistic efforts for the contest, which is in its 15th year in 2009. The special ceremony recognizing local winners was May 3 at the University of Arizona Poetry Center. This special event was presented by Arizona Public Media. Children’s author Jennifer J. Stewart was the event speaker.

A panel of Tucson-area authors, educators and community volunteers reviewed 319 entries submitted by K-3 students from 17 schools in southern Arizona. Each student wrote and illustrated an original story for the contest, and winners received certificates signed by Reading Rainbow host LeVar Burton, in addition to Reading Rainbow bags stuffed with books, DVDs and gift certificates from Bookmans Entertainment Exchange. Winning stories included:

Kindergarten: First Place - My Special Blanket by Sophia Smith-Gatto
Runner-up - How the Moon is Shiny by Stephanie Gonzalez-Knott Honorable Mention - Family Time is Fun by Elissa Marie Ornelas

First Grade: First Place - A Girl with Magical Shoes by Carolina Sanchez Runner-up - The Dragon and His Crown by Sasha Gil Honorable Mention - Garden of Lullaby by Hanna Bennion

Second Grade: First Place - Watermelons Are Taking Over by Faithe Elsberry
Runner-up - The Pickle Aliens and the Cacti by Seo-Hyun Yoo Honorable Mention - A Day in the Life of a Dung Beetle by Andy Liaupsin

Third Grade: First Place - The Gentle Tornado by Katie Soler
Runner-up - Carnotaurus Hatches the Eggs by Daniel Knight Honorable Mention - The Best Tea Party Ever by Maura Pierce

The Emmy award-winning PBS television series Reading Rainbow is broadcast in Southern Arizona by Arizona Public Media and can be seen weekdays at 4 p.m. on KUAT Kids digital television channel 27.2; on Comcast cable channel 200 and Cox cable channel 80. More quality kids programming can be found on the Arizona Public Media website at www.kids.azpm.org/

About Arizona Public Media Arizona Public Media® is a member-supported non-profit media organization of The University of Arizona, this year celebrating 50 years of public broadcasting service to Southern Arizona. Arizona Public Media (AZPM) broadcasts PBS stations KUAT Channel 6 and KUAS Channel 27; Digital TV Channels 6-1 PBS-HD; 6-2 V-me (en español); 6-3 Create; KUAS Channel 27-1 PBS-HD; 27-2 PBS Kids; 27-3 PBS World, the UA Channel (Cox 116/Comcast 76); classical music station KUAT-FM 90.5/89.7; NPR affiliate KUAZ 1550AM/89.1 FM; and the Ahora channel (en español) on KUAZ-HD2. AZPM also produces award-winning original local programming from its digital studios on the campus of the University of Arizona in Tucson, Arizona. More information on PBS programming and community events in Southern Arizona can be found at www.AZpublicmedia.org

Arizona Public Media is a registered trademark of the Arizona Board of Regents.