Best Day Ever: Wilson wins top spot in Alabama Young Writers Contest
Published 1:35 pm Tuesday, June 3, 2025
Parker Wilson claimed top spot in the kindergarten level of the 2025 Alabama Public Television Young Writers Contest on May 15. (HANNAH WILSON | CONTRIBUTED)
The cover of Parker Wilson’s book “Parker’s Best Day Ever!” (HANNAH WILSON | CONTRIBUTED)
Parker Wilson’s favorite drawing she created in the book of her and her big sister Charlie jumping in the clouds. (HANNAH WILSON | CONTRIBUTED)
Parker Wilson received a trophy, gift certificate and a laptop for winning first place in the APT contest. (HANNAH WILSON | CONTRIBUTED)
Another illustration from Parker Wilson’s book “Parker’s Best Day Ever!” (HANNAH WILSON | CONTRIBUTED)
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By Carey Reeder | Managing Editor
Chilton County’s Parker Wilson used her extraordinary imagination to create the book “Parker’s Best Day Ever!” and win the top spot in the kindergarten level of the 2025 Alabama Public Television Young Writers Contest. Parker Wilson took the top spot across the entire state of Alabama in the kindergarten portion contest when the winners were announced on May 15.
“It was so cool,” Parker Wilson said.
APT holds the contest each year for young, imaginative minds in kindergarten through third grade to showcase their passions and skills. Children could write about any subject they chose, fiction or non-fiction, and the story told could be in poetry or prose. The children also created photos to go along with the story to create a book.
Wilson’s mother, Hannah Wilson, saw the contest on a commercial one day. With her daughter’s love of drawing and telling stories, she felt like this was a great opportunity for her to showcase her skills.
“She has a good imagination, and she loves drawing, so she is very imaginative,” Hannah Wilson said.
“Parker’s Best Day Ever!” tells the story of the day she had been dreaming of, her sixth birthday. She awoke to a new bicycle in the living room, and when she got closer, a note was on it that said “This magical bicycle will take you anywhere you want.” Parker knew exactly where she wanted to go, and that was to heaven to see her big sister Charlie.
Charlie greeted her and they both rode bikes to heaven’s playground where they jumped on the fluffy trampoline clouds. Then, the two sat under a tree where Parker told Charlie she wished they could both go home together, but Charlie said “I love you, Parker. Remember, love is what keeps us together. Love lives forever.”
The book ends with Parker falling asleep in Charlie’s arms and awaking back at home with her family singing “Happy Birthday” to her.
Parker Wilson drew various photos that depicted scenes in the book, and the drawing was her favorite part of the process. She really enjoyed the drawing of her and Charlie jumping on the puffy clouds in the sky.
“She just loves drawing,” Hannah Wilson said. “Literally, she will be in her room drawing pictures and she will pretend she is delivering it.”
State winners in each grade level received trophies, a gift certificate and a laptop computer, something Parker Wilson has always wanted her own “real laptop.” Each child who participated in the APT Young Writers Contest received a certificate of recognition for their work.
