The finalists for 500 Words 2025/26 competition have finally been revealed

The wait is over – we’re delighted to announce the finalists for the 2025/26 competition.

Each story has been on an incredible journey. From over 46,500 entries submitted late last year, 4,000 volunteer judges carefully read and scored every single story, with more than 5,000 making it through to Round 2.

Our partners at The Reading Agency then took on the next stage, reviewing and scoring the shortlisted stories to help select this year’s finalists.

Following intense deliberation by our panel of judges, the bronze, silver and gold winners in both age categories will be revealed during a special 500 Words programme with The One Show at 19:00 on Friday 6 March. The full one-hour programme will also air on CBBC and be available on BBC iPlayer on Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 March.

Explore the finalist stories ahead of the big announcement – and get ready to laugh, learn and think.

More brilliant storywriters: our highly commended entrants

• The Dragon of Amberwood by Dominic R.
• The Sun Birds Raymond by Vanden H.
• Turgay and the Magical Pumpkin by Max K.
• The Day Death Died by Felicity R.
• The Magic of Kindness by Elizabeth A.
• Phil the Racing Pigeon by Jackson S.
• The Party by Rafi O.
• The Great Banana Heist by Elliott S.
• Sucked In by Alex C.
• A Dramatic Chicken, A Grumpy Donkey and A Priest by Isla V.
• The mirror of beginnings by Jasmine S.
• The Deep End Alexander by Paul J.
• Where the ocean divides by Adeline T.
• World War Sock by Nirvair S.
• Battle of the naughty Germs! By Archie E.
• The Shepherd That Lost His Sheep by Maximilien C.
• Jerry's Revenge by Jennifer M.
• Family Business by Oscar W.
• Ollie's Dream by Reuben P.
• Gary the frog gets lost in India by Ananya B.
• A Wrinkly Problem by Tilly M.
• Whifflebog & The Ruby by Orla O.
• The Tale of the Travelling Trousers by Finley S.
• Cheese Moon by Calista M.
• Arctic Alopex by Alec Y.
• I wanna be a soldier by Aedan G.
• The Empty Desk by Yakim K. M.
• The Unknown Spy by Hugo J. G.
• The day my shadow went on a break by Marwa A.
• Alligator Mayhem by James S.
• The tortoise who hibernates in the Summer by Eleanor A.
• The Time Loop Night by Zaid H.
• The End by Samuel P.
• The Boy with Two Heads by Iyioluwa O.
• David the Beaver and his Magnificent Chocolate Dam by Erik P.
• The Little Robot with a Heartbeat by Ayaan G.
• Rustle and the Diamond Blades by Alex F.
• Monday Murderer by Ayaan K
• The Wizard VS The Witch by Finlay F.
• Daughter of the ocean by Alice R. M.
• Stitched up by Maisie O. C.
• The P and P Panda Pamper Party by Beatrice T.
• The Hippo who Can’t Walk Straight, Inspire to be Unique by Sienna R.
• The World Famous Thieves Max and Grandpa Joe by Alexander H.
• The Clock Maker's Paradox by Sahrin MD S.
• A Surprising Shop by Sophie W.
• My Brother……The Snack Thief! By Emilia S.
• My Truth is Strawberry-Flavoured by Liuning C.
• The Story of My Garden by Srika G.
• The Vampire on Our Street (A Very Serious Investigation) by Florence F.

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