Broadcaster Lucy Kennedy encourages children in Tipperary to take part in Specsavers short story competition

Author and broadcaster Lucy Kennedy has teamed up with Specsavers to encourage budding authors to get creative and enter its nationwide short story competition.

The competition has been launched to help celebrate Specsavers’ sponsorship of the Junior and Senior Children's Book of the Year categories at the An Post Irish Book Awards 2023.

As author of the much-loved children’s book series, The Friendship Faries, as well as mum to three young children, Lucy is encouraging kids to put pen to paper for the Specsavers competition.

She says: ‘This competition is a brilliant way for children to get creative by thinking outside the box. Writing is an amazing way to build confidence in children as it allows them to communicate their own viewpoint, thoughts and feelings. Writing isn’t about having the best grammar or spelling; it’s about encouraging self – expression through a safe space. I would encourage all parents and guardians to get their children involved in this competition as it’s great way for children to use their imagination and they might even win something for their school too.’

Writing encourages children to explore their imagination, bolster their literacy learnings and put their reading skills into practice. It’s a fun and great way to help children fall in love with reading and writing.

The winner of the junior and senior category of the Specsavers short story competition will win €500 for their school library along with all the shortlisted children’s titles for 2023. A new element to the prize giving this year includes an exclusive visit from Lucy to the winner’s schools for a reading of her latest book in The Friendship Fairies series.

To further support Specsavers involvement in the An Post Irish Book Awards campaign, Lucy is also getting involved in a Q&A, over on Specsavers’ social media channels. This is due out on the 23of this month so be sure to check it out for some hints & tips!

To enter Specsavers’ competition simply create a short story, no longer than 500 words. The ask is to write a short story inspired by the below picture –

 “I stepped out of the front door clutching my new binoculars. My mum said they were magic, but didn’t tell me what they could do…”