The Great Bruno Beaver Tales

Creative Writing Contest (Grades 2–3)

Why We Encourage Students to Write

Writing gives children a voice.

When students write stories, they do more than practise spelling and punctuation — they learn to organize their thinking, express their ideas, explore their creativity, and share their experiences with others. Storytelling helps children build confidence, empathy, and imagination. It allows them to see themselves not only as readers, but as authors.

Throughout the Bruno tales, students have travelled across Canada, solved problems, helped communities, and watched Bruno grow into a thoughtful and responsible friend. Now, it’s their turn.

This contest invites students to step into the storyteller’s role and create a Beaver Tale of their own.

The Challenge

Students are invited to write an original Bruno-style adventure story.

Each year, a writing prompt will be provided (with separate prompts for Grade 2 and Grade 3) to spark ideas and guide the setting or theme. From there, students are encouraged to use their imagination to create:

• a new adventure

• an interesting problem or challenge

• memorable characters

• and a meaningful solution or lesson

Stories might explore friendship, teamwork, helping others, community, nature, or problem-solving — just like Bruno’s adventures.

Students may include Bruno or create their own beaver characters.

Story Guidelines

Teachers may adapt expectations for their class, but generally:

Grade 2

• approximately 1–2 pages

• simple beginning, middle, and end

• pictures may be included

Grade 3

• approximately 2–3 pages

• clear plot with more detail and description

• paragraphs encouraged

Stories should be the student’s original work.

Judging Criteria

Submissions will be reviewed using the following criteria:

Creativity & Original Ideas

• imaginative setting or adventure

• interesting problem or situation

• fresh or engaging ideas

Character Development

• clear main character(s)

• thoughts, feelings, or actions that show personality

• characters who grow, help others, or solve problems

Plot & Organization

• clear beginning, middle, and end

• logical sequence of events

• problem and solution (like a Bruno tale)

• story makes sense and is easy to follow

Voice & Description

• details that help the reader picture the story

• engaging language

• effort to make the story interesting

Conventions

• grade-appropriate spelling, punctuation, and grammar

• readable handwriting or formatting

• evidence of editing or revision

Note: Creativity and storytelling are valued more than perfect mechanics.

Sharing Student Work

We love celebrating young authors!

Winning stories may be featured on gobruno.ca and shared with the wider Bruno community to inspire other young writers.

Authors of selected stories will be asked to provide parent/guardian permission before their work is published online.

Final Thoughts

Every great writer starts with one story.

Whether students write about a daring rescue, a snowy trek, a community celebration, or a small act of kindness, their tale matters. Through storytelling, children discover that their ideas are worth sharing — and that they, too, can be authors.

We can’t wait to read their Beaver Tales!