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Get everything you need to bring Monster Mayhem to your classroom.
BUILD A MONSTER!
There are no rules for what a monster should look like. Get students mixing, matching, and inventing...
WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?
One eye or ten? Legs, wings, tentacles, horns, claws, or something completely different?
WHAT DOES IT FEEL LIKE?
Cute and fluffy, enormous and scaly, slimy, spiky, spotty, or stripy?
WHAT DOES IT DO?
What does it like to do, eat, or wear? Does it have a strange talent or special skill?
WHERE DOES IT LIVE?
In space, on land, under the sea, high in the sky, or somewhere nobody has discovered yet?
Then give it a name! Students can add labels or a few words about their monster to bring their creation to life.
1
IMAGINE
Dream up a monster
2
DRAW
Create their monster
3
DESCRIBE
Add labels or a few words
4
ENTER
Send their creation in
LOW PREP. BIG IMAGINATIONS.
Monster Mayhem is simple to offer and easy for young children to understand.
Give students an entry form, get them imagining their monster, then let them draw, color, label, and describe their creation in their own way.
DRAWING MEETS EARLY LITERACY
Monster Mayhem gives young children an imaginative reason to draw, name, label, and describe their own creation. They can build confidence expressing ideas visually while adding simple words and descriptions at a level that works for them.
PRIZES & RECOGNITION
FOR STUDENTS
Their monster could feature on the front cover
Our favorite picture from each book will feature on the front cover.
5 WINNERS
From those front cover pictures, 5 students will each win a stationery set.
PLUS:
Every entrant receives a bookmark and sticker for taking part. Students whose work we’d love to publish also receive a certificate.
FOR SCHOOLS
Young Writers’ Award of Excellence
The school with the best set of drawings will receive Young Writers’ Award of Excellence.
Free copies for your school
Your school will receive a free copy of the book your students feature in.
The more entries you send, the more free books you’ll receive:
1–30 entries = 1 free copy
•
31–60 entries = 2 free copies
•
and so on.
Closing Date: Friday Oct 30, 2026
We've worked with over 20,000 schools. Here's what some of them have to say...
“
”
This is my sixth year using YW to publish my students' writing and they are so easy to work with! My students are always excited to use the provided theme and challenge themselves to be chosen!
Thank you so much for another opportunity! The class really enjoyed this.
Justina Denapoli, Father Vincent Capodanno Catholic Academy, NYSee more...
The students enjoyed the freedom of this project (Peculiar Pets). It got them excited to write.
Amanda Peterson, Christ The King School, NYSee more...
Peculiar Pets was a great activity!
Anne Piccoli, Immaculate Heart Of Mary School, NYSee more...
Thank you for the intriguing prompts and engaging activities! I look forward to these contests each year.
Mike Carter, Millis Middle/High School, MASee more...
My students absolutely loved the challenge of writing mini sagas!
Darla Bubar, Edward Town Middle School, NYSee more...
The story starters are so fun!
Nichole Charbonneau, Old Rochester Regional Junior High School, MASee more...
My students look forward to this contest every year, and so do I!
Rachel Barnes, Monomay Regional High School, MASee more...
This was such a fun way to have my students engaged with their writing!
Christina Guertin, Midland Street School, NYSee more...
This is my sixth year using YW to publish my students' writing and they are so easy to work with! My students are always excited to use the provided theme and challenge themselves to be chosen!
To make sure your entries are valid, please follow the rules listed below:
Closing Date: Friday Oct 30, 2026
THE ARTWORK
• Students' pictures must be their own, original work.
• Entries must be completed on the entry form in the space provided.
• Each entry should include the student's name, age, and school name. First names only or initials can be used if needed.
SENDING YOUR ENTRIES
• There is one entry per student.
• There is no limit to the number of entries per school.
• Please submit your entries together where possible.
• Use one Teacher Entry Form per teacher who submits work.
• If uploading or emailing pictures, please send scans only. Photos of the work cannot be accepted.
GOOD TO KNOW
• Free to enter.
• No purchase is necessary to win.
• Open to US entrants only.
• Copyright remains with the artist.
If you are unsure on any rules or have any queries, please don't hesitate to Contact Us.
For Schools
FOR SCHOOLS
Young Writers' Award of Excellence
Celebrate your students' creativity
The school that submits the best set of drawings will receive Young Writers' Award of Excellence.
Free copies for your school
Your school will receive a free copy of the book your students feature in.
The more entries you send, the more free books you'll receive
See the contest rules for full details.
(Remember, you receive 1 free copy for every 30 entries you submit! E.g. 1-30 entries you receive 1 copy, 31-60 entries you receive 2 copies, etc. Every participating school will receive at least 1 copy of the book their students feature in.)
For Students
5 WINNING STUDENTS
A stationery set each
Become a published young creator
Students have the chance to see their Monster Mayhem creations published in a professionally printed, full-color book.
Their monster could feature on the front cover
Our favorite picture from each book will feature on the front cover.
5 students will win
From the front cover pictures, 5 students will each win a stationery set.
PLUS: Something for every entrant
Every entrant receives a bookmark and sticker, and students whose work we'd love to publish will also receive a certificate.
(School and student winners will be chosen from entries received Sept-Nov 2026 that have permission to be published. No purchase necessary. Prize image is an example, exact stationery set may differ.)
Your students write or type their entry (or an adult can scribe) ensuring their name (or initials) and age are included
Submit your entries using one of the options below
Enter Online
Email
Email your entries to [email protected]
and please ensure your students' names and ages are on their work, and that you include your name, school name and school address in your email. Thank you!
Please ensure your name, email and school name and address are included with your entries if you send entries digitally via a non-Young Writers service.