Chinese Storybook Competition

Students of Chinese language in Hawai‘i: Try your hand at writing and illustrating stories in Chinese, to be read and enjoyed by other learners of Chinese!
Target Readers of Your Stories: K-12 students learning Chinese

Age Groups of Writers of Stories in Chinese:

Story Themes

Competition Guidelines

The stories must be original, and can be written in simplified characters or traditional characters.
Original illustrations must provided in one of two categories: 1. Hand-drawn illustrations (including traditional and digital hand-drawn) or 2. AI-assisted illustrations (created on computer via AI or digital tools). All illustrations must be copyright-free.
*Note: For AI-assisted illustrations, participants must clearly indicate which prompts or tools were used and ensure all generated content adheres to ethical and copyright standards.
The author of the story and the illustrator can be the same or different individuals.
Collaborations with other students at the same level are welcome. All participants should be credited.
Keep the length of the stories between 75 and 500 characters.

Submission Format

Apply using a Google Form [provide link to Google Form], and submit the story using Google Slides via the Form

LastName_FirstName_Division. Eg: Wang_Keoki_B

SimSun or KaiTi, 12-point

At least 5 original illustrations per story

Judging Criteria

Entries will be evaluated on a scale of 1-5 for each criterion:

Appropriate use of Chinese language
Creativity and originality of story
Cultural relevance and authenticity (“authenticity” under the judging criteria evaluates how genuinely and naturally the story reflects Chinese language usage and cultural context)
Quality of illustrations
Ability to engage readers
Overall presentation and coherence

Competition Timeline

Announcement of competition: November 1, 2026
Submission deadline: January 15, 2027
Judging period: January 16 to Februrary 15, 2027
Announcement of winners: at the CLEAH Cultural Fair in Honolulu on February 20, 2027
Awards ceremony: at the CLEAH Cultural Fair in Honolulu on February 20, 2027

Awards and Recognition

Cash Reward for First, Second, and Third place winners for each level

First place:
$150 Cash Reward

Second place:
$100 Cash Reward

Third place:
$50 Cash Reward

Honorable mentions
(up to 5 per category)

Certificates
for all participants

Publication of winning entries in a digital anthology

Chinese Storybook Competition