Nova Scotia Students Persuade Doctors to Open Family Practice Through Writing Contest

Students in Nova Scotia are invited to write “Dear Doctor” letters to persuade family physicians to open a medical practice in their community.

(PRWEB) April 11, 2006 -- Students in grades 2-9 are invited to send their “Dear Doctor” letters to Canadian writer Cheryl R Cowtan. Volunteer judges will determine which four persuasive letters, from four grade categories, will win the contest and be published in the upcoming children’s picture book, The ‘Open Yar Mouth’ Health Care Lottery.

When asked why she came up with the contest idea, Cowtan responded, “I wanted voices from the community to be a part of my book, and I felt that children’s voices were the most appropriate and the least often heard.”

The ‘Open Yar Mouth’ Health Care Lottery picture book (which will be available in stores June, 2006), is about an ailing Nova Scotia boy who attempts to win a family physician through a health care lottery. The book includes educational lessons, as well as key articles from the CBC and The Medical Post about the proposed Yarmouth health care lottery.

“The addition of the children’s letters will add a personal quality to the book,” said Cowtan, “which is important because not having a family physician is a personal issue.”

There is no entry fee to the contest, letters are judged on their ability to persuade and two additional students from each category will receive honourable mention in the picture book. Contest entries should be 300 words or less, can include artwork, and should be e-mailed to contest@canadianchildrensbooks.com by the deadline of April 21st, 2006

More details on the “Dear Doctor” Writing Contest and The ‘Open Yar Mouth’ Health Care Lottery picture book can be found at http://www.canadianchildrensbooks.com

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