From staff reports

Get ready to write and draw.

To participate

The entry period for the 2009 “Reading Rainbow” Young Writers and Illustrators Contest will run through March 31. Visit www.mpbonline.org for entry forms, rules and information.

On TV

“Reading Rainbow” — 12:30 p.m. Monday-Friday on MPB, local cable Channel 7

Mississippi Public Broadcasting is inviting kindergarten through third-graders to participate in the 15th Annual “Reading Rainbow” Young Writers and Illustrators Contest.

Children are encouraged to write and illustrate their original stories and submit them, along with an official entry form, to MPB during the entry period, which runs through March 31. Visit www.mpbonline.org for the 2009 “Reading Rainbow” Young Writers and Illustrators Contest entry forms, rules and information.

Each child who enters will receives a Certificate of Achievement signed by LeVar Burton, host of the “Reading Rainbow” series.

First-, second- and third- place winners will be selected for each grade level, with each receiving a DVD copy of a “Reading Rainbow” program and recognition at the Winners Celebration Event in Jackson. First-place winners will advance to the national competition.

Contest coordinator Maggie Stevenson said, “The ‘Reading Rainbow’ series builds lasting friendships between children and books. The contest, which provides the opportunity for children to exhibit their self-expression through word and art, builds on the program’s mission to stimulate a child’s interest in reading.”

“Reading Rainbow” was on the air 23 years, from 1983 to 2006, and has won a Peabody Award and 26 Emmys. Episodes continue to appear on MPB, local cable Channel 7, at 12:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.