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January 2025 | Phonebox Magazine 63Block Paving %u2022 Driveways %u2022 Patios %u2022 Fencing %u2022 Sleepers %u2022 Artificial Grass %u2022 Landscapinginfo@ajblockpaving.comAJ Block Paving pridesitself on paving theway in quality drives,paths and patios atcompetitive prices.We offer a full service,from design, throughto installation.07551 461 733Call now for your free,no obligation quoteGroundworks, Brickwork & Stonework.Driveways, Water Treatment Plants,Digger & Dumper hire with driver.Established 2009www.ovalparkconstruction.co.ukinfo@ovalparkconstruction.co.ukIncon House, 10 Stilebrook Road, Olney, Bucks. MK46 5EAfind us onContact 01234 713025 / 07770 528569The Paul Cave Prize for Children%u2019s Literature 2025Entries for The Paul Cave Prize for Children%u2019s Literature 2025 are now open.It provides an excellent opportunity to get poetry, fl ash fi ction and short stories in front of a publisher. Each category winner receives feedback, a cash prize and a copy of the book featuring all submitted work.%u00a0The judges are:%u00a0Tim Saunders, publisher and journalistCaroline Saunders, former secondary school teacher and head of departmentHarriett Saunders, secondary school pupilHeidi Saunders, secondary school pupilHenry Saunders, primary school pupilTim Saunders, his wife and children love reading and discussing stories, often around the dining table. This makes them the perfect judges for this prize - our children are the target audience... You can rest assured that between us we will%u00a0 read every single submission. Unlike other contests, no AI is used whatsoever!What we%u2019re looking for:All forms of poetry: haiku, free verse, sonnet, acrostic, villanelle, ballad, limerick, ode, elegy, fl ash fi ction and short stories up to 5,000 words.%u201cThe emphasis should be on providing an enjoyable reading experience with strong vocabulary and grammar while being mindful of the audience%u2019s age,%u201d says publisher Tim Saunders. %u201cIf the work can provide some worthwhile educational value as well then all the better.%u201d%u00a0Entries close on 28th February, 2025.%u00a0Winners announced by 30th March, 2025.Winners of 2024Best Short Story (age 12 and under)Pete Pitman %u2013 Rumpleskin%u2019s StiltExtract%u201cWhy don%u2019t you get off your backside and do something. Anything. I despair. I really do.%u201d Lily-Sue watched as her mother fussed and twitched around the house. She watched as she returned, a tea-towel draped over her shoulder, and wagged her fi nger at her husband, who was slumped in an armchair. %u201cThe house is falling to pieces around us, and you just sit there feeling sorry for yourself.%u201dBest Short Story (age 8 and under)Writer Alwyn Davies and illustrator Maud Bazillier %u2013 Gogo the fi remanExtractOne day Gogo was walking through the little town where he lived when he saw a big red fi re engine and all the fi remen dressed in their shiny yellow clothes and shiny helmets. Gogo thought that he would like to be a fi reman and drive the red fi re engine. That would be fun, he thought.Best PoemHazel Bowden %u2013 The KeyExtractI found a heavy rusty key.I don%u2019t know what it%u2019s for.Some long-forgotten cupboard,or a secret hidden door.Best Flash FictionDaan Spijer %u2013 Celeste BearExtract%u201cHey! Over here! Look up!%u201d They don%u2019t see me up here on the shelf. I was put up here because I%u2019m special and the shop owner doesn%u2019t want children to treat me roughly and get me dirty.For more information visit:%u00a0 tsaunderspubs.weebly.com%u00a0Tim Saunders Publications%u00a0tsaunderspubs.weebly.comHome of%u00a0The Paul Cave Writing Prizes49 Church Close, Locks Heath, Southampton SO31 6LR. England.Unsolicited manuscripts accepted.