Introducing the Kidlit Chuckle Challenge!

Hello, Kidlit friends, and welcome to the inaugural #KidlitChuckleChallenge! We are your hosts, Julie Hauswirth, Kris DeCaro, and April Berry, and we are so excited to kick off the first ever kidlit writing contest geared completely toward HUMOR!

As writers/readers who love humor, we wanted to create an opportunity for other writers to get creative in a genre they love (or maybe are uncomfortable in!), make new connections, generate ideas, and practice writing, revising and submitting work. Thus, the #KidlitChuckleChallenge was born!

Here's How it Works:

Participants will choose one character and one object (mix-n-match style) from the list below, then write an entry that features the character and object in an important way. The entry can be up to 200 words including art notes, and it must be FUNNY! 

HOW TO ENTER:

Complete the official entry form by CLICKING HERE. The form will be open from 8:00am CST September 22nd-10:00pm CST September 24th.

Over the next few weeks, we'll share some resources, favorite funny picture books, jokes, and more on X/Twitter to help get your humor skills in tip-top shape!

Grab a participant badge and read on to learn more about contest rules, prizes, judges, and more!

Contest Rules

Judges

Prizes

Sample Entry

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Contest Rules

• All writers 18 years or older are welcome to enter.

• One entry per person.

• All entries must be submitted via the Google Form from September 22 at 8:00am CENTRAL until September 24 at 10:00pm CENTRAL time.

  • Entries will ONLY be accepted via Google Form. Google forms make your entries lose their formatting. We suggest you do not rely on formatting to get your point across. If you need to emphasize, use CAPs.

• Entries can be no more than 200 words including art notes. This means your story + the art notes cannot exceed 200 words.

  • Your title is NOT included in the word count.

  • Art notes should be in [brackets] so you don’t waste words on “art note”.

• Entries must contain the character and the object you selected, and they must play an important role in your story. You can mix and match your character & object, i.e. Santa’s Uncle Al and Stinky Flowers.

• You may NOT use AI to write your story or assist you in story writing. 

• Entries must be KidLit appropriate/ for kids under age 12.

• Entries must be funny! All humor is welcome: silly, random, dark, potty, etc. 

• You can rhyme if you want.

• Remember: Writing is subjective and humor is super subjective, entries will be judged on if they make us laugh! Don’t stress and do your best! 

Characters	Objects
A Sock Puppet	GreatBigSuperGiganticUltraHumungousWhoppinglyOversized Problem
Santa's Uncle Al	Someone Else's Pants
Avocado the Penguin	Broccoli
Tiptoe Tina	Stinky Flowers

Time to get writing... and don't forget that your character and object must play an important role in your story! Mix-n-match away!

Judges

Entries will be judged based on the criteria above and the tastes of each individual judge. Here's a little bit about each of us so you know your audience!

April Berry

April Berry is a children’s book author. When she is not reading or writing, April enjoys road trips, nature hikes, and eating ice cream. She lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan with her husband and their three children. April is represented by Katie Monson of SBR Media.

As a judge for the Kidlit Chuckle Challenge, April is excited for stories with clever humor and unexpected twists. Also, bring on the puns and wordplay!

Julie Hauswirth

Julie is a former educator turned children's author. Her work has been published in The Toy, Little Thoughts Press, The Dirigible Balloon, and the Cape Cod Times. She loves hanging out at the library and spending time with her family. Julie is represented by CoCo Freeman of the Linda Chester Agency.

When it comes to humor, Julie loves the unexpected, extremes, and clever wordplay. Bonus points for a dash of heart!

Kris DeCaro

Kris mostly writes humorous picture books, but occasionally dabbles in other genres. She is a member of SCBWI, 12x12, and has had a poem published in Highlights High Five. She is represented by Stephanie Winter at KO Media Management and you can find her mumbling amusing thoughts on X @MusingMomMumbles.

Kris enjoys all humor from silly to dark. She enjoys an unexpected surprise or twist and loves to see smart use of art notes.

PRIZES!

We are THRILLED to have so many generous Kidlit authors donate their time, expertise, and books to this contest! Be sure to thank them by following them on social media, purchasing or requesting their books at your local library, and leaving reviews!

Winners will rank their top 5 prizes and we will do our best to match everyone with one of their top choices- but ALL of these prizes are fantastic and we can't wait to connect winners with their prize donors! We hope to announce winners and HM's sometime around mid-October and will update via Twitter if that timeline changes.

The 12 x 12 Funny Business Bundle (value $201) from 12 x 12

Enjoy lifetime access to 3 amazing sessions:

Betsy Bird - Writing Humor in Unfunny Times

Cate Berry- Humor 101: Making Humorous Stories Irresistible for Children

Tara Lazar - How to Write Funny, Punny Picture Books

Find out more here: https://juliehedlund.teachable.com/p/funny-business-bundle

Summit Only Ticket (value $247) from Picture Book Summit

Perfect 10: Going for Picture Book Gold! Event takes place October 5th.

Speakers include Grace Lin, Meg Medina, and Jon Klassen and Mac Barnett.

30-minute Q&A phone call with Ame Dyckman

Ame is the New York Times bestselling author of humorous titles such as Wolfie the Bunny, How Dinosaurs Went Extinct: A Safety Guide, and Silly Boobies: A Love Story.

1-hour Zoom Critique with Brian Gehrlein

Brian is the author of The Book of Rules and the upcoming This is Not a Sleepy Bear Book, creator of PB Spotlight, and Picture Book Story Coach extraordinaire.

Critique delivered via video call with Tara Lazar

Tara is the author of numerous funny picture books, including Flat Cat, Bloop, and 7 ate 9. She is also the host of #Storystorm.

Signed copy of ATTACK OF THE SCONES from Josh Funk

Josh is the author of several picture book series, including How to CODE, It's Not a Fairy Tale, and Lady Pancake and Sir French Toast. His website is also home to Josh Funk's Guide to Writing Picture Books. 

A copy of Counting to Bananas AND B is for Bananas from Carrie Tillotson

Carrie is the author of Counting to Bananas, B is for Bananas, and the upcoming Alpacas Here, Alpacas There.

10-page MG critique AND a signed copy of HART & SOULS from Lisa Schmid

Lisa is the author of middle grade novels Ollie Oxley and the Ghost and Hart & Souls. She is also a co-host of the podcast Writers with Wrinkles.

30-minute Zoom AMA with Andrew Hacket

Andrew released three books in 2024: Ollie, the Acorn, and the Mighty Idea, Curlilocks and the Three Hares, and Hope and the Sea. He also runs a blog called The Backstory.

Signed copy of PIGS DIG A ROAD from Carrie Finison

Carrie writes children's books with humor and heart. She is the author of Dozens of Doughnuts, Don't Hug Doug, Lulu & Zoey: A Sister Story, Hurry, Little Tortoise, Time for School!, and the upcoming Pigs Dig a Road.

Winner's choice of a PB Critique OR 1-Hour Zoom AMA from Audrey Perrott

Audrey is a children's author whose works include Moo Hoo and its upcoming sequel, Baa Haa (March 2025), A Hat For House (November 2024), and the graphic novel series Once Upon a Tail (spring & fall 2026).

30-minute AMA AND a Signed copy of NOT MY CIRCUS from Janet Sumner Johnson

Janet is a picture book and middle grade author whose works include The Recess Genius series, The Winterton Deception series, A Bad Case of the Almosts, and Not My Circus.

Winner's choice of a pitch OR query OR non-rhyming PB manuscript critique from Kristi Mahoney

Kristi is a children's book author whose debut picture book, Alpacas Make Terrible Librarians, releases in October 2024. The sequel, Owls Make Terrible Teachers, is due in Spring of 2026.

Winner's choice of a manuscript critique (PB, fiction, non-rhyming) OR a 30-minute zoom session from Ana Siqueira

Ana is a teacher and the author of several picture books, including If Your Babysitter is a Bruja, Abuela's Super Capa, La Mala Suerte is Following Me, and more!

30-minute AMA session with Sylvia Chen

Sylvia is the author of Tricky Chopsticks and the upcoming picture book, Sparkles for Sunny: A Lunar New Year Story. She is also a #PBParty Judge!

30-minute AMA session with Omar Abed

Omar is an award winning children's author. His titles include The Book that Almost Rhymed, You, Me, and a Tree, and Debug this Book. He also offers story services.

A copy of YOU GO FIRST from Ariel Bernstein

Ariel is a children's book author whose works include the Warren & Dragon series, We Love Fishing, I Have a Balloon, and more!

Humor PB manuscript critique (Prose OR Rhyming under 750 words) OR a 30-minute AMA with Brittany Pomales

Brittany's debut picture book, It Started with a P, is due out in April 2025. She is also a #PBParty judge and the host of #KidlitHaHaWeek!

Winner's choice of a signed copy of THE LAW OF BIRTHDAYS OR a PB manuscript critique OR AMA zoom with Brenna Jeanneret

Brenna is the author of The Law of Birthdays: A Story About Choice. She also co-hosts the podcast You May Contribute a Verse.

PB manuscript critique OR pitch critique from Megan Woodward

Megan is a picture book author and screenwriter. Her book This Book is Definitely Not Cursed was released in June 2024. She also offers editorial services.

PB Manuscript Critique (non-rhyming, up to 750 words) from Dara Henry

Dara is a children's author whose debut picture book Hanukkah Pajamakkahs releases September, 2024!

Signed Copy of Flamingos are Pretty Funky from Abi Cushman

Abi is a children's book author and illustrator. Her books include Soaked!, Animals Go Vroom!, The Quiet Forest (words by Charlotte Offsay), and Wombats are Pretty Weird.

1st 10 Pages Critique of a MG or YA Novel from Demi Michelle Schwartz

Demi is a young adult fantasy and thriller author and the owner of Amethyst Ink Editorial.

PB Manuscript Critique from April Berry

PB Manuscript Critique from Kris DeCaro

PB Manuscript Critique from Julie Hauswirth

There will be several honorable mentions as well!

Disclaimer: While we think many of our prizes are priceless, in general books have a value range of $25-$20, AMA calls range from $40-$250, and critiques from $50 - $250. The PB Summit virtual ticket is worth $247 and the 12x12 Funny Business Bundle is worth $201. Odds: The odds of winning will depend on the number of eligible entries received, according to the eligibility requirements. As a reminder, winners will get the chance to pick their top 5 prizes. Prizes will be awarded on a first email response/first pick basis. We will do our best to match you with one of your top picked prizes. Remember this is a friendly contest that was created to help us practice our writing skills. We hope you enjoy!

Sample Entry

Remember- since we are using Google Forms to gather entries, you will lose your formatting when you submit. Please don't rely on formatting to make a point! You should also include any art notes in [brackets] and keep them brief. You don't have to say "art note"!

Here's a sample entry word and how the formatting changes once it's entered into the form:

Questions?

Email Kris at krisdecarowrites@gmail.com and she will get back to you as soon as she can!

Let the Chuckle Challenge BEGIN!

Be sure to follow us on X/Twitter for contest updates, resources, and conversation! Leave a comment to let us know you'll be participating and say hello to fellow participants. We can't wait to read your entries!

Let's get laughing,

Julie (@juliehauswrites),

Kris (@MusingMomMumble),

& April (@aprilberrybooks)