Renee Hand, award-winning author of the Crypto-Capers and Joe-Joe Nut series, will allow children to create a character for an upcoming book. Children can submit their characters and encourage family, friends and the public to vote for their favorites. The winning entry will be featured in the third installment of the Joe-Joe Nut series.

In honor of the first book of Hand's new lower elementary children's book series, "The Adventures of Joe-Joe Nut and Biscuit Bill: The Great Pie Catastrophe," she is hosting a contest for children to become characters in one of her cases. The opportunity is for children to be able to create their own animal suspect.

For the contest children will submit a character they created. The author will then post submissions on her website. Family, friends and the public will be able to read and vote for their favorites. The submission that receives the most votes will become a character in the next book.

Not only will their character be a part of the story but the book will be dedicated to them as well. The winner will also receive a signed copy. The contest will end Aug. 15.

For more information visit www.ReneeAHand.com. Entries and votes for characters should be submitted by e-mail to thecryptocapersseries@gmail.com.

— From staff reports