MrsP.com Be-A-Famous-Writer’ Contest

Written by Melissa Northway Thursday, 11 August 2011 09:03

“Reading is cool and so are you.” That is the tagline for MrsP.com – an award-winning and free interactive digital storybook destination. Mrs. P is played by TV actress and author, Kathy Kinney, who played Mimi on The Drew Carey Show. Ms. Kinney brings to life children’s classic stories that have stood the test of time. There is even a magical library that has some fun interactive animations for the children to enjoy while she is reading.

MrsP.com was founded in 2008 by Hollywood team Clay Graham, Dana Plautz and Kathy Kinney. They were brought together by a love of reading and a desire to help spark that same passion in young people everywhere. (Source: www.MrsP.com). They wanted to provide an entertaining resource for children to go to and see a “live” person read to them. MrsP.com donates ten percent of its profits to groups that support the cause of literacy. Surprisingly, 44 million adults in the U.S. can’t read well enough to read a simple story to a child. Research has found that more than three out of four of those on welfare, 85% of unwed mothers and 68% of those arrested are illiterate. (Source:www.readfaster.com/education_stats.asp) Organizations such as MrsP.com help provide a supplementary resource for parents and teachers to utilize.

I had a chance to speak to Ms. Kinney about MrsP.com and their upcoming 3rd Annual Be-A-Famous-Writer’ Contest. Ms. Kinney said that her mother was a big reader and that every week they would go to their local library. Some of her favorite childhood books include The Boxcart Children and The Hobbit. She mentioned that she really enjoyed watching Pippi Longstocking as a child because the children had to be resourceful. Some of her favorite moments while reading at events like the LA Times Festival of Books and KidFest NW, is seeing the children’s faces light up. She wants to help them to feel good about themselves and spark their imaginations. Once you see Ms. Kinney in action on the entertaining MrsP.com website – I think you’ll agree she does just that.

The group started the Be-A-Famous-Writer’ Contest to encourage children to celebrate the joy of reading and writing - as well as to inspire them. What a fantastic idea! Considering that more than $2 billion is spent each year on students who repeat a grade because they have reading problems – programs and organizations that support literacy are imperative to our children. (Source: www.readfaster.com/education_stats.asp) MrsP.com is endorsed by leading national literacy organizations, including Everybody Wins! USA, and the Association of American Publishers.

The two (2) Grand Prize winners’ stories will be read by Mrs. P and original illustrations will be created. They will receive a copy of their story in addition to having it posted on the MrsP.com website. All costs to produce the books are paid by MrsP.com. Additionally, there will be 10 finalists chosen that receive prizes from the contest’s sponsors; Powell’s Books and Sakura. What a fun and creative summer activity for you and the kids! Ms. Kinney encourages children to enter the writing contest by stating “If you can tell a story – you can write a story!” The contest is open to U.S. Residents and last year they had submissions from over 26 states! Go here to read more about the Be- A-Famous-Writer Contest: http://www.contest.mrsp.com/Default.aspx

About the Author: Melissa Northway is a mom, writer of children’s picture books, and has written a storybook app and book called Penelope the Purple Pirate. Her tomboy was the inspiration to write about a girl who likes to have adventures with her friends, and at the same time teach little ones the importance of treating others with kindness and respect. She supports the Be-A-Famous-Writer Contest and is donating signed Penelope copies to the first 10 submissions received in the 4 to 8 years of age category. Go here to see the fun prizes the final contestants will win: http://www.contest.mrsp.com/Prizes.aspx.