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Calling all writers aged 5–15! Join our 2026 summer Reading Quest and enter our 500-word short story competition.

Your challenge: Choose one or more of our Curious Creatures and make them the main character in your story. What kind of mischief or adventures will the Curious Creatures get up to this summer?

The Curious Creatures are our new animal detectives here to help you with your Reading Quest this summer. The creatures (pictured above) include a tortoise, a pig, a polar bear, a fox, a pigeon and a raccoon.

We’ll be giving out bookish prizes for the winning entries!

Short story ideas

Here are some starter ideas to get you thinking (or why not invent your own!):

• The Curious Creatures sneak into a library after closing time and discover a secret door.
• They go on a sunny seaside mission and find something unexpected in the sand.
• They try to plan the perfect picnic… and everything goes hilariously wrong.
• They make a new friend – but the friend needs help fast!

This is your story – be creative!

How to enter the competition

• Print off our story template and write your story (up to 500 words)
• Make sure a Curious Creature is the main character
• Add your name, age, and a parent/carer contact
• Hand it in at your local library, or submit your short story online using the below form (you can type out your short story in the text box, or you can upload your story as a PDF document).

You can also email your short story submission to us at readingquest@suffolk.gov.uk.

Ready, set, write! We can’t wait to read your Curious Creatures story!

The deadline for short story submissions is 30 June 2026. You can read our full T&Cs at the bottom of this page.

Submit your short story

Full Terms & Conditions

• The competition runs from 22 May to 30 June 2026. Entries received after this date will not be considered.
• The competition is open to Suffolk Residents, aged between 5 and 15 years old.
• The competition is open to children. Entries must be submitted by a parent or guardian aged 18 or over, who provides their contact details.
• By entering, the parent/guardian agrees that Suffolk Community Libraries may use the email address provided to:
  • administer the competition and contact winners
  • notify entrants of the outcome
• Marketing consent: If you would like to receive updates about Reading Quest and other children’s and family activities, you will be given the option to opt in separately. You can unsubscribe at any time.
• Winners and runners-up will be selected by an expert panel based on creativity, originality, and engagement with the Curious Creatures theme.
• Winners and runners-up will be contacted within 30 days of the competition closing using the parent/guardian email address provided.
• Prizes are non-transferable and no cash alternative is available.
• By entering the competition, you agree that Suffolk Community Libraries may publish winning and shortlisted entries (including the child’s first name and age) in promotional materials and online.
• Personal data will be processed in accordance with Suffolk Community Libraries’ privacy policy.