Young Authors Get Creative Nudge

Even the best creative minds can use a little inspiration. Kindergarten through third grade children gathered Saturday for a writing workshop as part of the 14th annual Reading Rainbow Young Writers & Illustrators Contest, hosted locally by Twin Cities Public Television. The workshop was held at the Country Inn & Suites By Carlson Bloomington at Mall of America, and helped kids from the Twin Cities area prepare their story entries for the nationwide contest.

The Reading Rainbow Young Writers & Illustrators Contest encourages kids to write and illustrate an original story and submit it to the national contest, which is meant to encourage children's writing and story telling skills. Winning story entries are eligible for both local and national awards. Country Inns & Suites By Carlson recently signed-on as a presenting sponsor of the Emmy-Award winning Reading Rainbow program featured on PBS television.

The Twin Cities event was one of five being held across the country Saturday. Nashville, Charlotte, Salt Lake City and Indianapolis also hosted writer's workshops.