Contests

New Story Contest: Buggy Adventure

 [Please note that the deadline for this contest has been extended to October 6, 2023, since some of the magazines may be arriving late.]

Cricket’s 50th anniversary brings back many sweet memories. Old Cricket loved reminiscing about what Cricket magazine was like “In the Buginning.” Ladybug passed around her famous chocolate chip cookies as the bugs shared stories about their many good times in Cricket Country, and wondered what new adventures might lie ahead. To celebrate fifty years of buggy adventures in a really special way, everybuggy would love to read your best original story starring—the Cricket bugs!

What new adventure might you imagine for Cricket, or Ladybug, or Pussywillow? Will Tater build a crazy new invention, like the professor in “The Borealis Eclipse,” that gets the bugs into all kinds of trouble? Maybe the bugs will rescue a lost or injured animal, like in “Hawk Rescue,” or find a treasure map that sends them on a challenging quest. Perhaps you will magically transport the bugs to a different place or time, like “Murik and the Magic Sack,” for an adventure with knights, and dragons, and wizards. Or into the future for a sci-fi adventure in space. You could write about how the bugs celebrate Cricket’s anniversary. Will Zoot play his cello? Will Pudding put on a new play? Will Ladybug be bossy? (Duh!) Will Ugly Bird be invited? You might even create a new bug to join the gang.

Whatever you decide, everybuggy will be blowing noisemakers and banging drums as they parade to the mailbox to read your best story of 350 words or less—just words, no drawings, please—starring . . . them! Happy Anniversary, Everybuggy!

  • (Show Rules)
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    1. Your contest entry must be your very own original work. Ideas and words should not be copied.

    2. Your entry must be signed by your parent or guardian, stating that it is your own work, that no help was given, and that Cricket has permission to publish it in the magazine and on our website. 

    3. Be sure to include your name, age, and full address on your entry.

    4. Only one entry per person, please.

    5. If you want your work returned, enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope for each entry.

    6. Your entry must be received by October 6, 2023.

    7. Send entries to Cricket League, P.O. Box 300, Peru, IL 61354. (No faxes or email submissions, please!)

    8. We will publish winning entries in the January 2024 issue and on the Cricket website.