Maine PBS is calling for young artists and writers to participate in the 10th annual Reading Rainbow Young Writers and Illustrators Contest.

The national contest is open to pupils in kindergarten through third grade who write and illustrate their own stories. Entries should include five original color illustrations. Stories will be judged separately by grade level and must be sent to Maine PBS by March 31.

Each child who submits an entry will receive a certificate of achievement signed by Reading Rainbow host LeVar Burton and a chance to win national prizes such as Reading Rainbow DVDs and books. The stories of the national winners will be posted on the PBS Kids Reading Rainbow Web site.

Maine PBS also will hold a celebration party for the 12 local winners and their families and post the children’s work on its Web site.

Contest rules and official entry forms must be used to enter the competition and can be downloaded at www.mainepbs.org, or by calling audience services at (800) 884-1717.