Pages of Virtue
Pages of Virtue
A Children’s Collection of Written Reflections on the Good We Notice, Remember, and Choose
Pages of Virtue is an annual children’s writing initiative that invites young people to reflect on meaningful moments, acts of goodness, personal choices, and the values that shape our lives.
Children and teens ages 6–17 residing in the United States are invited to submit one short original written reflection, story, poem, letter, essay, or personal memory inspired by a virtue they have noticed, experienced, practiced, or admired.
This is not a competition. There are no winners, rankings, prizes, or competitive awards. Pages of Virtue is an annual publication initiative that celebrates children’s thoughts, feelings, observations, and written expression.
The first 500 complete submissions that meet all eligibility, originality, content, consent, copyright, safety, and technical requirements will be accepted, in the order in which they are received. Submissions may close before November 1, 2026 if capacity is reached.
Every accepted writing will be published in the annual Pages of Virtue 2026 catalog.
What Is Pages of Virtue?
Pages of Virtue gives children a place to express, in their own words, what goodness looks like in real life.
Every accepted writing will be published in the annual Pages of Virtue 2026 catalog.
A child may write about a moment of kindness, courage, honesty, patience, gratitude, forgiveness, responsibility, friendship, compassion, hope, generosity, perseverance, respect, or any other virtue that has meaning for them.
The writing may be based on a personal experience, something the child witnessed, a memory, a feeling, a question, or an imagined scene inspired by real values. The goal is not to write a “perfect” text. The goal is to share a sincere thought.
What Can Children Submit?
Children may submit one original written piece in any of the following forms:
- a short reflection
- a personal story
- a poem
- a letter
- a short essay
- a memory
- a thoughtful paragraph
- a creative text inspired by a virtue
Recommended length: up to 300 words. Younger children may submit shorter reflections. Each accepted piece will be carefully prepared and formatted for inclusion in the annual Pages of Virtue 2026 catalog.
Who Can Participate?
This initiative is open to children and teens ages 6–17 residing in the United States. The age groups are:
Ages 6–9
Ages 10–13
Ages 14–17
Children ages 6–8 may dictate their reflection to a parent, guardian, or teacher. Adults may help with spelling, handwriting, or typing, but the ideas, feelings, and words should remain the child’s own.
Submission Guidelines
All submissions must be:
- written by a child or teen ages 6–17 residing in the United States
- original and unpublished
- connected to the spirit of the project
- appropriate for a children’s publication
- submitted by a parent, guardian, teacher, or authorized adult
- written in a clear and respectful manner
- no longer than 300 words, unless otherwise approved
Adults may help with typing, spelling, or basic corrections, especially for younger children, but the writing should preserve the child’s own voice.
The first 500 complete submissions that meet all published requirements will be accepted, in the order in which they are received. Incomplete submissions and submissions that do not meet the requirements will not be accepted and do not reserve a place.
Submissions may close before November 1, 2026 if capacity is reached.
Important Dates
Submissions are now open.
Submission Deadline: November 1, 2026, or earlier if the 500-submission capacity is reached
Accepted Writings and Participants
Announced: December 10, 2026
Pages of Virtue 2026 Catalog Published: December 10, 2026
Every accepted writing will be published in the annual Pages of Virtue 2026 catalog. The official link to the catalog will be shared here on December 10, 2026.
How to Submit
Submissions will be accepted through an online Google Form.
The form will ask for:
- child’s first name and last name initial
- child’s age
- parent/guardian name
- parent/guardian email
- city/state
- title of the written piece
- the written text pasted directly into the form
- optional Word file upload for easier formatting
- parent/guardian permission for review and publication
Please submit one form for each participating child. Each child may submit only one written piece for the 2026 edition.
Publication and Recognition
The first 500 complete submissions that meet all published requirements will be accepted, in the order in which they are received.
Every accepted writing will be published in the annual Pages of Virtue 2026 catalog. The catalog will celebrate children’s written reflections and preserve their voices in a meaningful publication that families, schools, libraries, and community partners can share and remember.
Every accepted participant will receive a digital Certificate of Participation.
2026 Writing Guidelines, Participation Rules and Publication Consent
For Parents and Teachers
Parents, guardians, and teachers are welcome to encourage children to reflect, brainstorm, and prepare their writing.
However, the final piece should sound like the child. We want to hear what children notice, remember, feel, question, and choose.
Please avoid rewriting a child’s reflection in an adult voice. Simple help with spelling, typing, or handwriting is welcome.
Submit Your Reflection
We invite children to write about the good they notice, remember, and choose.
Up to 500 complete submissions that meet all published requirements will be accepted in the order in which they are received. Every accepted writing will be included in the annual Pages of Virtue 2026 catalog.
Review, Acceptance & Publication
Pages of Virtue is a non-competitive publication initiative, not a contest.
Submissions will be reviewed only to confirm eligibility, originality, age-appropriateness, compliance with the word limit, and compliance with all content, consent, copyright, safety, and technical requirements.
The first 500 complete submissions that meet all published requirements will be accepted, in the order in which they are received. Every accepted writing will be published in the annual Pages of Virtue 2026 catalog.
The organizers reserve the right to make light spelling, punctuation, grammar, or formatting edits for publication while preserving the child’s meaning and individual voice.
For Libraries, Schools & Community Organizations
365 for Kids welcomes collaboration with libraries, schools, writing groups, homeschool communities, cultural centers, and other organizations serving children and families.
Organizations may share Pages of Virtue with families, host the ONE MOMENT. ONE VIRTUE. ONE CHOICE. activity, or help young writers learn about the official annual submission opportunity.
Writing and reflections created through partner-hosted activities may also be presented through a year-round Community Showcase, with the required permissions. Community Showcase publication is separate from submission to the annual Pages of Virtue catalog.
Download the partner marketing materials to help share these initiatives with families, students, and your community.
Part of the 365 for Kids READ — CREATE — REFLECT — SHARE Learning Model
- Exhibition: Read or Listen → Create Art → Reflect → Share
- Voices: Read → Create with Voice → Reflect → Share
- Pages: Notice or Read → Create through Writing → Reflect → Share