The Larmer Tree Project Prize

An invitation for KS2 pupils at our partner schools to imagine the hidden worlds, magical creatures, and untold stories of the Larmer Tree Gardens. There are no right or wrong answers. The Larmer Tree is a starting point, what grows from it is entirely up to the imagination of the child.

Deadline: 1st July 2026

More information

What to create

Each pupil may submit one entry in one of the following formats:

Short Story

Up to 500 words

Poetry

Up to 40 lines

Illustrated Piece

Comic, graphic novel or illustrated text, up to 4 sides of A4

Think fairies, sprites, djinns, goblins, or any mythical creature from folklore and fairy tales, set within the gardens.

Our Judges

Abi Elphinstone

Abi Elphinstone grew up in Scotland where she spent most of her childhood running wild across the moors, hiding in tree houses and building dens in the woods. After being coaxed out of her tree house, she studied English at Bristol University and then worked as an English teacher in Tanzania, Berkshire and London. She is the bestselling author of Goodnight Silver (coming October 2026), the Ember Spark series, Sky Song, Saving Neverland, The Unmapped Chronicles (Everdark, Rumblestar, Jungledrop, The Crackledawn Dragon), The Dreamsnatcher trilogy and, for younger readers, The Snow Dragon and The Frost Goblin. When she's not writing, Abi works as a trustee for The Lamp of Lothian, speaks in schools about the transformative power of reading and writing, and travels the world looking for her next story. Her latest adventures include living with the Kazakh Eagle Hunters in Mongolia and dog-sledding across the Arctic. She lives in Scotland with her husband and three children.

Angela McAllister

Angela McAllister is a best-selling author of childrens' books for all ages. She writes picture books, early readers, fiction and retellings of folk tales from around the world. Her books, such as 'Leon and the Place Between' and 'Winter's Child', are widely used in schools and her stories from Shakespeare are a popular introduction to his plays. Her work has won many awards, including the Aesop Prize from the American Folklore Society.

Elinor Bagenhal

Elinor started off her working life by being a professional musician, but in order to earn a living she worked in the children’s section of Hammicks bookshop in Covent Garden where she learnt so much about what excites children in the world of storytelling.

She quickly realised that being a professional musician was not the life for her so I got a job working at BBC Books followed by a book packager called Mathew Price where she learnt about publishing for children. She then worked in America for six months before returning to the UK to help set up two children’s lists, one of them being Bloomsbury where she was involved with the first book in the Harry Potter series.

25 years ago Elinor set up The Chicken House with Barry Cunningham and Rachel Hickman.

She has worked with schools and children of all ages to learn what kind of stories and methods of storytelling work best for them. As a result she has been involved in publishing stories that enchant, teach, reassure, challenge and support young people all over the world.

She has been involved in all aspects of publishing from commissioning authors and illustrators to project managing and buying book concepts as well as travelling all over the world to sell international rights and learning what works for children of all ages and different cultures.

As well as her life in books and music. She is very involved in the world of conservation, ecology, ornithology, astronomy and gardening and has a diploma in horticulture

Natasha Farrant

Natasha Farrant dreamed of being a writer ever since she stumbled into Narnia when she was ten years old. She is now the author of many books, has won several prizes and been translated into seventeen languages. If she suddenly stops listening halfway through a conversation, she’s not being rude, it just means she’s had an idea for a story. She enjoys drawing, singing and taking long walks in wild places. She lives in London in a house full of books with her family and a small black cat.

Martin Brown

Martin Brown is a bestselling author, cartoonist and illustrator best known as the illustrator behind the hugely successful Horrible Histories series. Born in Melbourne, Australia, he moved to the UK in the 1980s and has spent more than three decades bringing history, nature and storytelling to life through his distinctive, humorous illustrations
Working alongside author Terry Deary since the launch of Horrible Histories in 1993, Martin's artwork has helped engage millions of children with books, history and learning. He is also the author and illustrator of the acclaimed Lesser Spotted Animals series and Nell and the Cave Bear. Through his books, festivals and school events, Martin champions creativity and encourages children and families to discover the joy of drawing and reading. He lives in Dorset with his family.

Prizes & Rewards

Winners published in an online anthology and featured at the Festival of Stories, 30 October 2026
A visit from one of our patron writers or illustrators
All winners receive a signed illustrated Poetry Anthology
All entering schools receive a copy of A Year Full of Stories by Angela McAllister
All entrants enter into a draw for a family ticket to the British Library Fairy Tale exhibition (closes 23 August)
Free access to live-streamed British Library events for participating schools

How to enter

BY EMAIL

Scan or photograph work and send to info@larmertreeproject.org

BY POST

Leave originals at the school office by 1 July for collection

INCLUDE

Pupil name, school name, year group, category

SAVE THE DATE
THE FESTIVAL OF STORIES, FRIDAY 30th OCTOBER 2026
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