Every child has a story to tell. Whether it is a tale about a robot doing household chores or a dream about saving the planet, those ideas matter and Eye Level wants to see them.
The 34th Eye Level Literary Awards (ELLA) is now open for entries, and Australian students are warmly invited to take part.
What is ELLA?
ELLA is Eye Level’s annual global writing and illustrated writing competition for children. It runs across more than 20 countries and celebrates creativity, imagination, and the joy of putting words on a page. The goal is simple: give children a meaningful reason to write, and watch what they come up with.
Who can enter?
There are two categories:
Illustrative Writing — for children born on or after January 1, 2017. Students choose a topic, then complete their entry using both illustrations and writing on the provided template. Individual and group entries are both welcome.
Writing — for children born on or after January 1, 2010. Students choose a topic and respond in writing, with no restrictions on length or format. Individual entries only.
Each category has two topics to choose from, so children can pick the one that sparks their imagination.
Why enter?
Competitions like ELLA do more than produce winners. They give children a genuine purpose for writing — not a school task, but something that feels real and worth doing. That shift in motivation makes a difference.
For children who already love to write, ELLA is a chance to take that passion somewhere. For children who are still finding their confidence with words, it is an invitation to try something new in a low-pressure way. Either way, the process of sitting down, choosing a topic, and crafting an entry builds skills that carry well beyond the competition.
Writing develops focus, creativity, and the ability to organise thoughts clearly — skills that benefit every area of learning, including Maths.
How to submit
Australian families can enter entirely online — no international post required. Here is what to do:
- Register at childrencontest.com
- Download the entry form from the website
- Complete your child’s entry (written, illustrated, or both — depending on the category)
- Upload the completed entry through the contest website
Entries close 31 August 2026.
Winners will be announced by the end of October 2026, with an award ceremony held in Seoul, South Korea in November.
A great reason to write this winter
The school holidays are a natural time for children to slow down, explore, and create. Encouraging your child to enter ELLA gives that free time a little shape — and a lot of purpose.
If your child would benefit from some extra support with writing before they submit, our English programme builds the comprehension, vocabulary, and writing skills that make creative tasks like this one feel achievable. Learn more about our programmes here.
