For the first time since Charlie Bucket won the prize of a lifetime, Penguin Young Readers, along with some of Mr. Wonka’s most trusted advisors, has chosen five children from across the United States to become the 5 new lucky golden ticket winners. Roald Dahl’s Imaginormous Challenge, which recently concluded its first year, received over 20,000 imaginative story ideas from American kids aged 5-12 across the US.
This past weekend, three of the children experienced once in a lifetime opportunities to work with incredible partners to transform their 100 word story ideas into something that would make Willy Wonka proud.
From the youngest winner, Giselle Decker, at just 6 years of age, who imagined a unicorn kitty named Bubblegum and had her story idea transformed into a 3D printed, edible candy, to Anusha Senapati, an 11-year-old whose idea about a paralyzed girl who longs to dance was transformed by the cast and crew of “Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” on Broadway into a choreographed dance number, each winner had the opportunity to work with industry leaders to help them realize their full creative potential.
Eleven-year-old Imaginormous winner Lucy Franks said of getting the chance to work with New York Times bestselling author Adam Gidwitz: “It was a once in a lifetime experience to be able to work with Adam Gidwitz, an author whose books I’ve read and enjoyed. He helped me develop my story and I left the session with some wonderful ideas. I can’t wait to complete and share my story.”
The final two winners’ experiences are currently in the works: eight-year-old Sage Marie Spaeth will fly out to Hollywood to visit Warner Bros. Animation for her winning experience at the end of August, and eleven-year-old Cole Ritchie’s winning idea is currently being transformed into a playable Minecraft experience, which will be available in a few weeks.
The full line up of Golden Ticket winners and their Imaginormous experiences are:
- Theatrical Creation Winner: Anusha Senapati, Age 11, Hometown: Acton, Massachusetts — “Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” on Broadway turned Anusha’s winning story idea into a marvelous, theatrical creation.
- Hollywood Pitch Winner: Sage Marie Spaeth, Age 8, Hometown: Teaneck, New Jersey — Sage and her family will fly out to Hollywood, courtesy of Mr. Wonka, and pitch her story idea to a major Hollywood Executive at Warner Bros. Animation!
- Immersive Minecraft World Winner: Cole Ritchie, Age 11, Hometown: Heber City, Utah — A team of Minecraft builders are transforming and reimagining Cole’s winning story idea into a playable Minecraft experience for Cole and the world to enjoy.
- Become an Author Winner: Lucy Franks, Age 11, Hometown: Sparta, New Jersey — New York Times bestselling, award winning author Adam Gidwitz (A Tale Dark and Grimm, The Inquisitors Tale, The Empire Strikes Back: So You Want to be a Jedi?), is working with Lucy to transform her idea into her very own short story book!
- Candy Creation Winner: Giselle Decker, Age 6, Hometown: Mesa, Arizona — Following in Willy Wonka’s footsteps and with the help of Dylan’s Candy Bar, Giselle’s idea was turned into a magical, edible creation – a 3D-printed piece of candy!
The Golden Ticket winners also won the chance to see the new Broadway musical “Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” in New York City the first weekend in August, and are now traveling on an incredible family trip for four to the UK provided by Norwegian Air, which has two aircraft with Roald Dahl as its tailfin hero.
Additionally, key stationery sponsor Post-it® Brand is proud to reward the teachers of the five winning children with special Post-it® Brand educational materials, and the winning teachers will also be gifted with a Roald Dahl library of books valued at $500 from Penguin Young Readers.
It has been confirmed that the Roald Dahl’s Imaginormous Challenge will be coming back in 2018. The challenge is all about inspiring imaginative story ideas in children 5-12 years of age. The annual challenge aims to capture a million story ideas from children across the United States by 2020.
To find out more about entering in 2018, visit www.imaginormouschallenge.com. All it takes is 100 words to enter, with spectacular prizes planned for next year too.
British author Roald Dahl is best known for his books Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda, and James and the Giant Peach.
Source: Roald Dahl Literary Estate