Two imaginative and adventurous books, authored and illustrated by South Carolina elementary school students, have emerged as winners of this year’s South Carolina Children’s Book Challenge.
In the group division, Uncle Phil and the Electric Adventure, crafted by fifth-graders Sadie Gamble, Ellafair DuRant, Railyn Joyner, and Kayden Crisanti from Laurence Manning Academy, secured the top honor. Ansley Gratzmiller, a fourth-grader at Buist Academy for Advanced Studies, took home the individual prize for her captivating tale, Electra, A Girl’s Journey to Electrical Safety.
Both winning entries earned their creators a $500 grand prize and will be published and distributed to schools across South Carolina.
Sponsored by the Electric Cooperatives of South Carolina, the Children’s Book Challenge encouraged students statewide to create engaging children’s books emphasizing electrical safety. Local electric cooperatives, including Black River Electric and Berkeley Electric, selected books to compete at the state level.
Uncle Phil and the Electric Adventure chronicles a family’s journey to “New Pork” where they visit their uncle, an electric lineman with Black River Electric. Through exciting adventures, Uncle Phil explains how electricity works, teaches valuable safety lessons, and takes the family to the whimsical “Statue of Pigerty.”
“We’re excited, though not surprised, that the judges recognized both the creativity and artistry in Sadie, Ellafair, Railyn, and Kayden’s work,” says Stephanie Floyd of Black River Electric. “We hope this experience taught them valuable lessons while also being a lot of fun.”
Electra, A Girl’s Journey to Electrical Safety introduces readers to Electra, a girl who gains crucial respect for electricity through encounters with supernatural characters like the Ghost of Electric Co-ops, the Ghosts of Outlet Safety, the Ghost of Power Line Safety, and the Ghosts of Light Safety.
“I learned that electricity is important to understand, but definitely not something to play around with,” says Ansley. “I’m proud my book can help others stay safe.”
Two books, authored and illustrated by elementary students from South Carolina, have been selected as the statewide winners of the 2024 Children’s Book Challenge.
Phoenix and the Town Power Outage, written and illustrated by Reuben Elementary (Newberry) 5th graders Harper Rowe and Ali Chapman, had the highest cumulative score in the group division.
Rowe and Chapman were surprised when cooperative representatives announced at a school-wide assembly that they had won the statewide contest on March 22. Newberry Electric CEO Keith Avery and board members attended as well as the school district’s superintendent, State Rep. Joe White, and members of the winners’ families.
The two split the $500 cash prize and their teacher, Kevin Boozer, was awarded a $100 prize. The book, created on the literacy-focused online platform StoryJumper, will be published and distributed to elementary schools throughout the state this summer. Harper and Ali will also be recognized by the South Carolina General Assembly on April 25.
Phoenix and the Town Power Outage takes readers through the aftermath of a power outage and the main character’s investigation of its cause.
Electric cooperative representatives presented the award to Easton at the York Electric headquarters on Thursday, March 21 with his family, York Electric employees, and (former) York Electric CEO Paul Basha in attendance. Easton, who is homeschooled, was presented a $500 cash prize and his teacher and mom, Heather Hall, was awarded a $100 prize. Easton will be recognized by the South Carolina General Assembly on April 17.
The Old Farm House tells the story of a boy named Isaac, who learns about how the cooperative first brought electricity to the home his ancestor built 150 years ago, and how it continues to serve his family today. Easton dedicated the book to his father, who is an employee at York Electric.The book was also created on StoryJumper and featured Easton’s original artwork. It too will be published and distributed to elementary schools throughout the state.
