Hometown Poetry Contest for Children, Grades 3-6

The Books Along the Teche Literary Festival, The Iberia Parish Library, and The Daily Iberian are sponsoring the Sweet Reads Poetry Contest for children to celebrate the 2025 Books Along the Teche Literary Festival. Children in grade three through grade six may put in their best efforts.  The poem may be written on lined paper or typed and attached to this application.

Prizes will be awarded as follows for each contest:

  • First Place- $40 gift card, certificate
  • Second Place- $25 gift card, certificate
  • Third Place- $20 gift card, certificate
  • Honorable Mention- $ 15 gift card, certificate

Construct a poem about experiences from the New Iberia or surrounding areas.  Think of memorable time in your hometown.  The poem will be judged on the following criteria– originality, theme, creativity/style, and conventions of text.  Winning entries notified by phone and  will be announced at the Books Along the Teche Literary Festival, Rodrigue Park, Saturday, April 5th, 2025 at 12:00 Noon. Winning poems will be published in The Daily Iberian. 

All names will be mentioned in The Daily Iberian.  Students may drop off their entries any time prior to Saturday, March 15, 2025, at the Children’s Room of the Main branch of the Iberia Parish Library.  The application and the poem may also be scanned and emailed to abernard@iberialibrary.org . Questions: Call 337-364-7134.


Guidelines:

  1. All work must be original, limited to 30 lines or less.
  2. Mention of popular figures or names (e.g. Disney characters, Spongebob, and others) cannot be considered due to copyright restrictions. Must have Parent’s permission (signature) for publication.
  3. Entrants must qualify by grade category.
  4. Return the unfolded entry form to any location of the Iberia Parish Library, Main Branch, and Children’s Room.
  5. One entry per person. The decision of the judges is final.