Yoto, the audio platform for kids behind the critically acclaimed and award-winning Yoto Player, launches Inspired Tales, an international callout to find the very best young writers in the UK, USA and Canada. Supported by The National Literacy Trust, and best-selling author, Sophie Dahl, all children under the age of 15 have the opportunity to have their story published in audio with Yoto, becoming part of the next generation of independent, creative minds.
Inspired Tales is open for free entry from 27th October until 31st December. Children will be able to enter the competition via two age categories, including under nines and nine to fourteens, who will be in with the chance of having their story published on audio.
Research has proven that audio improves creativity and imagination in children, better supporting story comprehension and literacy than reading alone. Yoto’s ambition is to help parents provide opportunities for their children to be in an environment where this creativity is encouraged.
The winners will be selected by a judging panel of experts, writers and artists, with the announcement due in the new year. As a judging panellist and ambassador of the first ever Inspired Tales competition, Sophie Dahl will be reading contenders entries, and hosting a meet and greet with the lucky winners in early 2022.
Sophie, author of bestselling children’s book, Madame Badobedah, said, “I’m incredibly excited to join the judging panel for Yoto’s inaugural Inspired Tales short story competition. What a joyful thing, to get to read all of YOUR stories. I love that you can write about whatever you want; there are no rules on theme. It’s up to you! The winners of this competition will be involved in the creative process from start to finish, launching their original work on Yoto’s platform in a fully realized way, and that too will be super exciting to witness. The evenings are drawing in, my reading glasses are firmly on, let the stories commence!”
Prizes will be awarded in both age categories across the UK, America and Canada. The overall winners in each category will have their story recorded and made into an exclusive Yoto Card, then distributed worldwide across ecommerce and retail channels, with full marketing support.
For complete creative involvement from start to finish, winners will be involved in the professional production of their own story, from editing to sound recording, to artwork and everything in between.
In keeping with Yoto’s commitment to inclusive learning and development, runners up will receive a generous Yoto bundle containing a Yoto Player, audio cards, headphones, Adventure Jacket and book vouchers.
Ben Drury, Co-Founder and CEO Yoto, said, “At Yoto we have always strived to encourage creativity and imagination beyond the use of a screen and it is our hope that this opportunity to become a published audio author will inspire children to use their minds and further their love of storytelling. We believe that this is an important part of any child’s development, and we can’t wait to see the stories imagined and developed by our next generation of creative thinkers. Good luck to all of those who enter!”
With no limitations on theme or topic, children are encouraged to put pen to paper and start telling stories. Whether written at home or at school, further guidance on the competition can be found here.
