The Austin Noon Kiwanis club and KSMQ Public Television are combining to provide a contest for “Reading Rainbow’s Young Writers and Illustrators.”

They hope to help parents and teachers answer the question: “Do kids in your library, classroom or home have great stories to tell?”

Austin’s Noon Kiwanis supports the contest and encourages parents to alert their kids to the opportunity to enter, according to Patricia Stumme, KSMQ-TV’s education coordinator.

“This is a key part of the Kiwanis Read Around the World project,” Stumme said.

Kids in grades kindergarten through third are invited to submit an original story (50-200 words for entries in grades K-1; 100-350 words for entries in grades 2-3), accompanied by at least five original illustrations, to the Reading Rainbow Young Authors and Illustrators contest.

Entries will be accepted through 5 p.m., March 10 in the KSMQ offices at 2000 Eighth Ave. N.W., Austin.

For complete contest details and an entry form, visit the ksmq.org Web site.

Winners for each grade level will be submitted to the national competition and posted on the KSMQ website.

Everyone who enters with KSMQ will receive a certificate of achievement, a gift bag and special prizes.

KSMQ Public Media, Inc. is based in Austin and serves the surrounding areas of Albert Lea, Austin, Mankato, Mason City, Rochester, Winona and other communities throughout southern Minnesota and northern Iowa.

“KSMQ uses the power of technology to provide programs and services uniquely designed to enhance the quality of life for people in our region,” Stumme said. “It is the mission of KSMQ to educate, enrich, inform and entertain.”