Shankar's International Children's Competition (SICC)

Born of Shankar's genius and vision, Children's Book Trust blazed a trail in publishing books for children as general readers and not textbooks. In 50 years of publishing, CBT has brought to children a varied fare of mysteries, adventures, romances, tales from old lore and history, cultural values, science and information.
Healthy, rich in content, live in line and colour, and brought out with excellence, these books have become valued possessions of millions of children in all age groups. Quite a few of the titles have been entries in the Competitions held by CBT. They have, over the years, opened up new vistas and finer perceptions in the arena of children's books.

Children's Book Trust (CBT) invites manuscripts for the XVIII Competition for Writers of Children's Books 2009

Category I: Fiction (above 12 years) comprises full-length girl/boy centred stories on realistic themes woven around Indian cultural ethos. Could be contempory fiction pertaining to present-day life and scenario, or a portrayal of events that happened long ago. The plot must be bold and frank, complete with a strong storyline, and should have scope for pondering and discussion. (25-30,000 words)

Category II: Science Fiction (above 12 years) Distinct from realistic fiction, stories in this category include imaginative renderings that reflect scientific thought; stories that have scope to transport us beyond the horizons of current technologies; stories that prompt us to glimpse not only the future but have potential to help us observe possible incarnations of scientific progress. (20-25,000 words)

Category III: Non-Fiction (above 12 years)
(a) Environment: Broadly in the purview of 'For Nature's Sake' and focusing on the silent majority working for the cause of environment, this category includes current developmental efforts and the spirit of innovation in conservation; a call for direct public action. For example: 'Stop burning dead leaves!', 'Climate change is happening!', 'Glacier retreats is a fact!' Besides these, it could include jungle trails, efforts made for conservation of critically endangered species like vultures and sparrows, in reducing carbon footprints, in curbing forest encroachments, in improving our environment and so on. The idea is to bring to light the positive results that can be achieved, with simple efforts, to sow the seeds of interest in children and to create a passion for the outdoors and nature. (3,000 words)
(b) Surviving Disaster: Real-life situations, real-life heroes; managing disaster or fighting for survival; pain and loss, or pulling through a crisis. Not quite heroic tales, the idea is to teach children basic survival strategies; to make them emotionally stronger to handle death, disease and destruction. (3,000 words)
(c) Health: Includes basic scientific facts about the working of the human body, the theories and discoveries; also home remedies, ayurveda, tribal art of healing, and such like. The idea is not to bring out a health-science book but to make children understand their bodies; to educate them on the medicinal properties of certain foods, to discourage them from relying heavily on junk food and to make them aware of the importance of regularly exercising their body or adopting a fitness regime to enjoy sound health both in mind and body. (3,000 words)
(d) Role Models: Stories/Profiles of outstanding individuals who have contributed back to life and society; valiant men and women, contemporary heroes, celebrities, leaders, who have made a mark in their chosen field. The idea is not to exult in their success or to encourage blind worship, but to highlight the challenges in the achievement; the obstacles they encountered and overcame; to appreciate the fact that they did not lose hope and kept sight on the goal till the end. The road to success is never easy and the winner is known, not for the role he played, but how he played it. The purpose of this category is to motivate children to think beyond their narrow boundaries; to encourage self-motivation; to stay focused under all circumstances. (3,000 words)

Category IV: Short Stories (9-12 years)
(a) Sovereign Tales: Stories of kings, queens, princes and princesses, turning points in history and historical blunders. Not intended as history books, the idea is to inculcate in children an interest for the subject through events, situations, occurrences that involved real people in real times. (3,000 words)
(b) No Mountain is High Enough: Stories of courage and overcoming disability; spirited tales of people coping with disease, pain or loss. Motivating stories that re-define 'disabled' as 'differently-abled'. (3,000 words)

Category V: Heritage and Culture (9-12 years) Interpretation of the renderings from sacred texts; lesser known stories from the scriptures, explanations of vedic philosophies and so on; the idea is not to confuse but to enthuse the child to imbibe good values from all religions; to create a willingness to learn, to benefit from this great wisdom passed down the ages. (2,500 words)

Category VI: Get Ready for a Magical Time (9-12 years) Imaginative, fictional thoughts given a free rein; stories of fairies, apsaras, mysterious mountains and enchanting forests; tales of magical spells and real-time magicians. Indulge in fantasy and allow the unthinkable to happen! (5,000 words)

Category VII: Concept Books (3-5 years) Largely in the genre of non-fiction, the approach to this category must be conceptual rather than factual. The idea is to make children understand words and their relationship to situations/things and may be used for the development of skills basic to all learning, eg. sensory skills, organizing skills and reasoning skills. Could possess the quality of humour and rhythm. The idea is not to bring out conventional material like the alphabets, numbers, names of objects, etc. but to develop creative literature which will make the little ones aware of their environment and goad them to find out more. (250 words max.)

Category VIII: Read-aloud Books/Picture Books (5-8 years) Should lend themselves readily to a number of self-explanatory illustrations. Authors are not expected to submit illustrations/ drawings along with the manuscripts. (500-600 words)

Manuscripts in Category III should be accompanied by a select bibliography or a list of references used.

Each manuscript should indicate the number of words it carries. A departure from the given length, beyond a marginal limit, would disqualify the manuscript.

	P R I Z E S
	Category I: Fiction Above 12 years • 25–30,000 words
First Prize		Rs. 20,000
Second Prize		Rs. 15,000
	Category II: Science Fiction Above 12 years • 20–25,000 words
First Prize		Rs. 20,000
Second Prize		Rs. 15,000
	Category III: Non-Fiction Above 12 years • 3,000 words
(a) Environment	6 Prizes	Rs. 4,000 each
(b) Surviving Disaster	6 Prizes	Rs. 4,000 each
(c) Health	6 Prizes	Rs. 4,000 each
(d) Role Models	6 Prizes	Rs. 4,000 each
	Category IV: Short Stories 9-12 years • 3,000 words
(a) Sovereign Tales	6 Prizes	Rs. 4,000 each
(b) No Mountain is High Enough	6 Prizes	Rs. 4,000 each
	Category V: Heritage and Culture 9–12 years • 2,500 words
6 Prizes		Rs. 4,000 each
	Category VI: Get Ready for a Magical Time 9-12 years • 5,000 words
First Prize		Rs. 6,500
Second Prize		Rs. 5,000
	Category VII: Concept Books 3–5 years • 250 words max.
First Prize		Rs. 5,000
Second Prize		Rs. 4,000
	Category VIII: Read-aloud Books/Picture Books 5–8 years • 500–600 words
First Prize		Rs. 7,000
Second Prize		Rs. 5,000

Rules

1. This competition is open to persons above 18 years.
2. The Trust is looking for manuscripts for books of interest to children as general reading and not textbooks.
3. The manuscripts submitted should be in English, typed in minimum double spacing on one side of the paper with not less than one     inch margin on the left. A computer printout or a photostat copy of the manuscript should be legible and readable.Two copies of     each    entry must be submitted. Entries submitted via Internet shall not be considered.
4. There is no entry fee. A participant may submit not more than three entries under a category, each manuscript being treated as     separate. The category should be clearly indicated on the manuscript. Each entry should be an original, unpublished work and     must carry the Declaration that the author agrees to abide by the rules of the competition. In case of multiple entries a photostat of     the Declaration could be used.
5. The Declaration should carry the full name and address of the author in block letters in English. The manuscript must not carry      these details.
6. Entries submitted for any earlier competition held by CBT will not be considered.
7. All rights as prescribed under Section 14 of the Indian Copyright Act 1957 shall vest with the Trust on the author's signing the     Memorandum of Agreement. Objection to/ disagreement with any of its provisions by the author shall cause the award to be     withdrawn and the manuscript returned to the author.
8. The prizewinning manuscript will, in the normal course, be published by CBT. The Trust's decision in this regard shall be final. The     author would have to provide a copy of the prizewinning manuscript on a CD when required.
9. The prize money will be paid in Indian currency.
10. In the case of manuscripts written by more than one person, the prize money will be equally divided among the co-authors.
11. A manuscript that has won a prize and has received the payment will not be entitled to further payment under any head, on its      publication.
12. CBT reserves to itself the right not to declare a particular prize if no entry is found suitable.
13. Manuscripts that do not win a prize may be considered for possible publication with the concurrence of the authors, and at the      sole discretion of CBT.
14. Entries should be addressed to:

Competition For Writer's Of Children's Books
Children's Book Trust
Nehru House
4, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg
New Delhi-110002

15. The last date for receipt of entries is June 30, 2009.
16. Entries will be judged by a Jury appointed by CBT. The Jury's verdict will be final. There will be no further correspondence in this regard.
17. The results are expected to be announced on October 30, 2009, or as soon thereafter as possible.
18. CBT shall not be responsible for any loss of or damage to the manuscripts in transit or otherwise.
19. CBT will not return the non-prizewinning manuscripts or retain these beyond three months of the announcement of the results.
20. Any legal dispute that may arise shall be settled under the jurisdiction of Delhi courts.

DECLARATION
Vide Rule 4
(Please fill in block letters)

I ............................................................................................certify
that my manuscript entitled .............................................................
......................................................................................................
in the category ...............................................................................
is an original writing and an unpublished work. It has not been submitted
elsewhere for publishing. I agree to abide by the rules and conditions of
the competition.

Date: (Signature)
Address........................................................................................... ....................................................................................................... .......................................................................................................
Telephone..........................................Fax........................................
e-mail .............................................................................................

This Declaration duly signed is to be attached to the manuscript.

For any other information contact:-

General Manager
Children’s Book Trust
Nehru House
4, Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg
New Delhi 110002
Tel: 91-11-23316970-74
FAX: 91-11-23721090
e-mail: cbtnd@vsnl.com
cbtnd@cbtnd.com