NGC’s Dragonzilla’s Short Story Challenge My Covid Stories Story Book 10 is the latest addition to a series of illustrated children’s books written by children aged 5 to 12 on the NGC Bocas Children’s Storytelling Caravan launched in 2011. Since then Bocas Lit Fest (BLF) has worked with hundreds of children throughout Trinidad and Tobago to create the Children Festival Book series 1 to 10.
The Storytelling Caravan empowers children to tell their own stories as a collective with imagination under the guidance of experienced storytellers. It nurtures not only an appreciation of literature and self-expression, but also empowers them with the practical and technical tools to envision a future career as professional, published writers.
When the COVID-19 lockdown prevented the Storytelling Caravan from physically working with children, the Drazonzilla’s Short Story Challenge was created- resulting in scores of submissions. Dragonzilla’s Short Story Challenge My Covid Stories Story Book 10 features the writings of the winners and finalists in the 5-8 and the 9-12 age groups.
These original stories, written by children cross over several genres- some exploring pandemic life through fantasy and others with stark realism. They give a glimpse into the emotions and life changing experiences of 2020 and 2021 by brilliant young writers – creating an invaluable record for future generations as well as a treasure trove of entertaining stories written for children, by children.
The stories from the NGC Bocas Storytelling Caravan have been converted into ‘read aloud’ and animated videos; and are available on demand on Youtube at www.storytime.bocaslitfest.com/
Dragonzilla’s Short Story Challenge My Covid Stories Book 10, along with series 1 to 8 of the Children Festival Books is available at Paperbased Book Shop, located at The Market at The Normandie, 10 Nook Avenue, St. Ann’s, Port of Spain.
Copies of the Children Festival Books can also be downloaded online at www.bocaslitfest.com/children/storytelling-caravan/