By Maruska Desouza, PYP Teacher-Librarian, Don Bosco International School, Mumbai
Despite its many benefits, few students engage in story-writing competitions due to a lack of confidence, fear of judgment, limited exposure, or competing interests.
To address these challenges, the Read Bloom Books (RBB) story-writing competition was initiated in collaboration with three IB schools in India.
The power of storytelling in education
Students worldwide between the ages of 7 and 16 were invited to participate by writing original stories in any genre or language. This competition provided a platform for students to showcase their storytelling skills and gain recognition as published authors. Launched in August 2024, the competition culminated with the online Bloom Fest Literary Festival on December 14th, 2024. The Bloom Fest, a celebration of reading and writing, was entirely student-led, with children taking on leadership roles as keynote speakers, workshop leaders, and moderators.
Driven by student voice and choice, the stories were evaluated by a student jury from different schools using criteria established by the RBB Core Committee. Over 300 participants submitted their stories in five categories: 1-6 age group, 7-12 category, Teen category, Gen AI category, and Mother Language category. Students were encouraged to use the Read Bloom Books website for writing resources, which guided crafting compelling stories.
Aligning with IB pedagogy
The RBB Story Writing Competition closely aligns with the International Baccalaureate (IB) philosophy and pedagogy. It supports the IB Approaches to Learning (ATL) skills:
- Communication – Conveying complex ideas through storytelling.
- Critical Thinking – Problem-solving, reflecting, and developing engaging plots and characters.
- Organization – Structuring narratives effectively and maintaining logical flow.
Additionally, students engaged with key IB concepts:
- Form – Exploring different genres and narrative conventions.
- Perspective – Understanding characters' viewpoints and fostering empathy.
- Connection – Relating stories to personal experiences and broader world issues.
Through writing, students demonstrated IB learner profile attributes such as Inquirers, Communicators, Risk-takers, Thinkers, and Reflective learners. They also explored different cultures and societal challenges, reinforcing IB’s emphasis on international mindedness.
Student agency: creativity and leadership in action
Don Bosco International School (DBIS) students showcased leadership in various ways, emphasizing student agency. Students took on roles as jury members, keynote speakers, workshop leaders, and moderators during the Bloom Fest. Notably, three DBIS students won awards, including two first-place and one third place.
Winners and their librarians received trophies for their dedication and motivation.
Global outreach and lasting impact
A writing competition brought together students from rural India, urban hubs like Chennai and Kolkata, and regions across the Middle East and South Asia. More than just improving literacy, it highlighted the power of storytelling to connect cultures and inspire creativity.
What began as a simple initiative soon became a transformative journey, fostering collaboration and student agency. A dedicated team of librarians from three IB schools worked behind the scenes, publishing stories, awarding certificates, and managing logistics.
Spearheaded by Read Bloom Books, a division of the Liferarian Association, this initiative has grown into a global community of young writers. It continues to prove that creativity, leadership, and storytelling can shape the future of education.
