Get your entries in for The Big Issue's Christmas Kids Cover Competition

Once again, it’s the most wonderful time of the year when we start to receive hundreds of entries to The Big Issue Kids Cover Competition, which this year is supported by WHSmith. The deadline has been extended until November 29, so aspiring artists have even more time to perfect their work.

We’re looking for creative kids to dazzle us with brilliantly bright, bold, colourful pictures that will help vendors sell more magazines this winter.

This year’s theme is: CHRISTMAS WISH – so what do you wish for? World peace, a drop in carbon emissions, Santa to make sure there are no supply chain issues come December 25?

Whatever it is, get out your pens, pencils, paints or graphic design software and let the world see what you wish for!

Make sure to include THE BIG ISSUE on the cover and send to us by November 29.

“I ho, ho, ho, hope kids will blow us away with their amazing artwork,” said Paul McNamee, The Big Issue’s jolly editor.

“All of our vendors look forward to selling a magazine with the winning kids cover. The only problem is how hard it’ll be to pick the winner!”

To help make the impossible decision, we’ve recruited a couple of guest judges. Nick Sheridan is a journalist and broadcaster whose new book called Breaking News is out on December 23.

And we’re also joined by acclaimed children’s author and illustrator Sarah McIntyre, best known for her books including Grumpycorn and Dinosaur Firefighters.

So don’t delay – enter today!

McIntyre said: “I can’t wait to see what children come up with for bright, bold Big Issue covers! I’m thrilled to be judging, it’s going to be amazing… I hope lots of young artists enter their pictures into this year’s Christmas Kids Cover competition.”

Sheridan added: “I’m utterly thrilled to be one of the judges of the competition! As long as the kids are having fun making the cover, we’re going to have fun judging it. Let your imagination run wild!”

We’re also delighted to announce that we’ve partnered with WHSmith for this year’s competition. The high street chain will be offering a selection of goodies as prizes for the winner and runners up.

How to enter

Anyone aged 13 or under can enter.

Post your entries to: Christmas Kids Cover Competition, The Big Issue, 43 Bath Street, Glasgow, G2 1HW or email high-resolution pictures to: editorial@bigissue.com – make sure you include a name, age, address and telephone or email contact on all entries!

We can’t return artwork but will print as many pictures as we can squeeze onto the page. All entries will also feature in a spectacular online gallery!