1,200 students from over 50 countries worldwide put their own modern twist on a classic tale in our international writing competition. We’re delighted to announce the wining entries!
Our Twist on a Tale competition
Launched on International Literacy Day (Sunday 8 September 2019), the Pearson My Twist on a Tale writing competition encouraged four to 16-year-olds to tear up the rule book and give their own 21st Century take on classic tales and regional folk stories, reflecting the diverse and modern-day world within which they live.
Over 1200 students from 50 countries around the world entered the competition. We were overwhelmed and astounded by the level of creativity and imagination that was put into each and every story.
Eight fantastic winning stories were selected by our judges for their exceptional writing, creativity and for their representation of a modern day, diverse world reflecting the writer’s own personality, location, heritage, interests or experiences.
Our judges – Ross Young and Phil Ferguson, series creators of our Power English: Writing and writing representatives for United Kingdom Literacy Association – had this to say:
‘It’s our hope that as young writers you had a good time crafting these wonderful stories. We certainly loved reading them. Thank you! You can now enjoy the satisfaction that comes from being published authors and seeing the result of that hard work! This is what writing for pleasure is all about’.
The winning stories
| Key Stage Category | Student Name | School | Story |
| Key Stage 1 | Maryam Saquib Imam | Jawahir Al Riyadh International School Kingdom of Saudi Arabia |
The King |
| Key Stage 2 | Hayley Williams | International School of the Turks and Caicos Islands Turks & Caicos Islands |
Three Little Conchs |
| Key Stage 2 | Husnur Hajigizi | British School of Baku, Azerbaijan | The Parachute Kingdom |
| Key Stage 3 | Abigail Tutuko | Pearling Season International School, Qatar | DJrella |
| Key Stage 3 | Jacob Lydon | Casablanca American School Morocco, Morocco | Little Miss Mu-Fêt |
| Key Stage 3 | Ana Luiza Pinheiro | International School Zurich North, Switzerland | The Reader Ogre |
| Key Stage 4 | George Nnona | Corona Secondary School, Nigeria | The Short Princess |
| Key Stage 4 | Oluwalaonoayo Ashiru | Corona Secondary School, Nigeria | Becoming Imara |
Each of the winners’ stories have been collated into a collection of short stories for all to read. Find out more about Pearson’s My Twist on a Tale and download a copy of the book now.
Thank you to everyone who took part in the Twist on a Tale competition and keep up the good writing work!
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