Innovative Contest for Children



Calling All Kid Inventors, Builders and Makers!
Capstone Launches Scrap City with Innovative Contest for Children

Capstone, a leading publisher of children’s books and digital products and services, is thrilled to announce the “Create the Scrappers” contest, to celebrate the publication of their new middle grade story of friendship and adventure, Scrap City.

The “Create the Scrappers” contest invites kids to create their own “Scrapper” - a handmade unique mechanical friend - out of old parts, pieces and things found around the house.  Kids should create a video that shows their Scrapper and describes their creation process, and share it on YouTube using the hashtag #ScrapCity in the title.  The Scrapper can be a character from the book – or any new character kids can imagine.
“Celebrating creation and invention is a big part of what we do, so we couldn’t be more excited to see the increasing number of makerspaces and fab labs in schools across the country,” said Ashley Andersen Zantop, Chief Content Officer at Capstone. “Schools and families can use this contest to compliment and encourage the growing energy around providing children with opportunities to design, experiment, and invent.  We can’t wait to see the amazing creations kids come up with.”

The winner will receive a $250 Michaels’ gift card plus $250 worth of Capstone books. The winning entry will be featured on Capstone’s website and promoted on its social media channels, and the winner and four runners up will also receive personally dedicated copies of Scrap City.

This contest was inspired by the world of Scrap City, the wonderful new middle grade reader by D.S. Thornton. Scrap City is the tale of an underground world populated by “people” made from scraps, and a team of friends’ brave efforts to save them and their world from the crush of civilization. The book was released on October 1st, and is already gathering praise and reviews including:
  • “[An] exciting story which will pique the curiosity of mechanically-minded kids. Clunky robots, centuries-old mysteries and unlikely friendships add intrigue to the already appealing premise of a secret city of scrap people hidden beneath a junkyard. With a perfect blend of emotion and humor, the pages practically turn themselves.” –ForeWord Reviews
  • “Kids will be taken with the pair of plucky young protagonists, and Thornton also crafts a crowd-pleasing, Pixar-style supporting cast along the lines of those in Cars and Wall-E.” –Booklist
  • “The premise is delicious, and the underlying message that warns against consumerism and consumption is admirable.” –Kirkus Reviews
The contest will run from October 15 to December 15, 2015, and is open to children between the ages of 7 and 12.  Complete rules, details and entry form are available here:  http://bit.ly/CreateTheScrappersContest