RIF Partners in Unfortunate Events Contest

As the phenomenally successful book series by Lemony Snicket translates to the big screen this December, assorted partners are leveraging the

Jim Carrey as Count Olaf

Reading Is Fundamental (RIF) Reading Planet, an interactive Web site for children, has teamed up with HarperCollins Children's Books and Paramount Pictures to offer a writing contest based on the New York Times best selling children's book series and upcoming feature film, Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events. Entries will be accepted through Nov. 12.

RIF's Cunning Count Olaf Composition Contest invites children ages eight to 15 to write a short story of up to 1,000 words about Count Olaf, the chief villain in the Unfortunate series. One grand-prize winner will receive a private pre-screening of the film for up to 30 guests. Five honorable mention winners will each win a prize package from HarperCollins. RIF will also publish all winning essays on the Reading Planet. For complete contest rules and entry form, visit the contest Web site at RIF.org/readingplanet/content/count_olaf_contest.mspx.

"The Cunning Count Olaf Composition Contest brings together reading, writing and film in a way that we think will really get young people excited about reading," said Heidi Okla, director of online communications at RIF. "It builds on kids' enthusiasm for the Lemony Snicket series and their anticipation for the new movie"

The Series of Unfortunate Events books follow the unlucky adventures of the Baudelaire children, three orphans put into the care of a greedy, villainous Count Olaf who is most interested in the children's inheritance. The feature film adaptation stars Jim Carrey as Count Olaf and opens in theaters nationwide Dec. 17.

The RIF Reading Planet is the child's section of the larger RIF Web site, RIF.org. Aimed at children ages 5 to 15 and updated weekly, the advertising-free site offers an interactive community that encourages and supports reading and writing. Through the site, kids of all ages can join the free RIF Reading Planet Club; design their own homepage; and find writing contests, reading games, activities and booklists.

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