Are you a student here in St. Maarten that loves to read and write? It’s time once again for the annual Butterfly Storybook Contest!
Young writers ages 7-11 are invited to take part in this writing competition, for a chance to win a cash prize and for their short story to be part of a published book. The competition, which aims to let young writers showcase their talent, is a project by The Rotary E-Club of the Caribbean (district 7020).
This year, the club is calling for stories that reflect acts of kindness, friendship, leadership and/or respect. This can involve your friends, family, pets, the natural world and/or creatures of your imagination.
Illustrations (such as drawings or paintings) can also be added to the story, but this is completely optional. If you choose to include this artwork, it must be original: Made by the writer or a fellow student. No clip art (or, art from the web) will be accepted. Stories should be typed on the computer, but hand-written submissions will also be accepted.
There are a few simple rules:
1) The story must have between 300 and 750 words in order to be considered. This rule will be strictly adhered to.
2) The story must have a Caribbean flavour.
3) The story must respect the theme – kindness, friendship, leadership and/or respect.
Each story must be submitted together with a completed submission form, no later than November 1. To request a form in advance, ask an adult to email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., which corresponds to Saint Martin Sunrise and St. Martin Sunset clubs (both on the Dutch side), respectively. The final stories and forms should be sent to the same email addresses. Various schools on St. Maarten will also present the project to students, and provide forms. Note: Students/parents in Anguilla, French St. Martin and St. Barths can reach out to their local Rotary clubs for more information. All students can submit their stories in their local language.
In the end, everyone will be thanked for their participation, and 10 winners from across the Caribbean will be selected. The winners will each receive a US $100 cash prize and a certificate, and their stories will be published in “The Butterfly Storybook 2025”. The book will be available for purchase worldwide at www.amazon.com
