It is okay to help children revise or rewrite their work by guiding them with thoughtful questions. It is not okay to edit, rewrite, or heavily alter the child’s work for them.
✨ Selected pieces will be published in the magazine, and outstanding works may also be featured as standalone pieces on our pages.
📌 Submissions that are heavily edited, rewritten, or substantially authored by adults will not be accepted.
Submission Categories
Children may submit to any of the sections below:
Stories
Stories that stay with us.
We are looking for original fiction stories filled with imagination, curiosity, adventure, wonder, or meaningful moments. Stories may be realistic or imaginative and can include nature, family, friendship, discovery, travel, animals, mystery, or personal experiences.
Helpful Questions
- What adventure could your character go on?
- What mystery could they discover?
- What beautiful or surprising thing could happen?
- What does your character learn?
- What place would you love to explore?
Poetry Garden
Poems, thoughts, and little blooms of language.
We welcome poems inspired by seasons, emotions, nature, imagination, faith, beauty, friendship, or everyday observations. Poems can rhyme or not rhyme. Simple poems are welcome.
Helpful Questions
- What do you notice outside?
- What colors, smells, or sounds inspire you?
- What makes something beautiful?
- What feeling would you like your poem to capture?
- What reminds you of wonder?
Little Wonders
Voices, opinions, and reflections.
We are looking for thoughtful reflections, observations, opinions, and personal writing from young voices. This section celebrates curiosity, questions, ideas, and meaningful thoughts.
Helpful Questions
- What is something you have been thinking deeply about?
- What do you wonder about the world?
- What makes you feel grateful?
- What do you believe is important?
- What is something beautiful or meaningful you noticed recently?
Gathered Feathers
Art, inspiration, community, and things we love.
We welcome artwork, sketches, photography, favorite book recommendations, nature observations, collections, community discoveries, and creative inspirations.
Helpful Questions
- What books, places, or activities inspire you?
- What beautiful things have you discovered recently?
- What artwork would you like to share?
- What does creativity look like to you?
- What is something your community should know about?
Seeds for Thought
Ideas, prompts, and sparks for creativity.
We are looking for playful creative ideas, imaginative prompts, inventions, “what if” questions, interactive writing, or creative challenges.
Helpful Questions
- If you planted a magic seed, what would grow?
- What invention would you create?
- What imaginary world would you design?
- What creative question would you ask readers?
- What would happen if something impossible became real?
Tending the Garden
Growing through community and service.
We welcome stories and reflections about helping others, caring for the environment, kindness, volunteering, friendship, generosity, and community life.
Helpful Questions
- How have you helped someone recently?
- What does kindness look like?
- How can children improve their communities?
- What small action can make a big difference?
- How can we care for the earth and people around us?
Roots & Wings
Faith, character, and growing with purpose.
We welcome thoughtful reflections connected to faith, values, character, patience, gratitude, prayer, family traditions, personal growth, and spiritual experiences.
Helpful Questions
- What lesson has helped you grow?
- When did you feel close to Allah?
- What value is important to you?
- What does gratitude mean to you?
- How does faith help guide your life?
Artwork
Photography, illustrations, paintings, collages, and creative visual art.
We welcome original artwork inspired by the theme of the issue, including:
- drawings
- paintings
- photography
- collages
- mixed media art
- nature sketches
We also welcome submissions for possible Sparrow cover artwork.
Helpful Questions
- What does the theme mean to you visually?
- What colors, places, or emotions inspire you?
- What moments of curiosity or adventure would you illustrate?
- What details in nature do you notice?
- What kind of image would invite someone into the world of Sparrow?
We can’t wait to read your work and celebrate your voice.