One of our second semester literacy projects is to create a picture book. The first stage is to research picture books, with the aim of learning how a book is created by an author, illustrator and publisher. We began this week with the goal of reading and analysing 100 books over the course of several weeks.
The Year 6 Girls are enthusiastic readers who love stories. “I like the challenge because I get to read,” observes Jess S, “I thought 100 was a lot but it doesn’t seem like that much now.” This is a common theme when the girls reflect, and the more they read, the more insights they reveal in discussions and the mini-reviews they write for each book they read.
“I think that little kids don’t understand the books in the same way that older kids do,” shares Ines, whose favourite book so far has been The Lost Library due to its unique illustrations. Alysha’s favourite is My Shadow is Pink, with its themes of acceptance and diversity. “I’ve noticed that every book has a great moral that everyone can pick up.”
It has been interesting hearing the girls sharing their thinking on various authors’ styles and messages. “Many authors base their stories on something a reader can relate to,” Katherine notes, while Shriya has looked at storytelling through images. “In Belonging by Jeannie Baker there are no words and the story is told only in detailed pictures.”
Some of the favourite books nominated so far include Diary of a Wombat, The Lost Library, Hot Hippo, My Shadow is Pink, Yahoo Creek, Mutt Dog and Harry Highpants. We have looked at beloved formulaic old classics, innovative new releases and everything in between.
It is fortunate that I am married to an author who can share some knowledge of the publishing industry. Amy has written a junior fiction series with 6 titles, Tilda Teaches, and a picture book, Turning Cartwheels, with another picture book in the process of being illustrated. The students have explored some unexpected conventions such as the long process from idea to printing (years!), how colour choices might affect sales (avoid green on your cover unless your book is about nature), and that the wide variation of accents make it incredibly difficult to write a picture book in rhyming verse. The girls were surprised to hear that many picture books have been created by an author and illustrator who have never met each other.
I was lucky to hear the wonderful Australian author Morris Gleitzman speak at a conference a few years ago. He said that “stories should be at the heart of every young person’s education.” It is perhaps fitting that Milla should have the last word to help explain why: “I enjoy this project because it brings out our imagination.”
Nick Adeney
Year 6 Girls’ Classroom Teacher
Lunchtime Farm Visits
The girls have been enjoying some lovely time at the farm this week during our lunchtime farm program. Many thanks to Mrs. Gluskie and Mrs. Yardley who facilitate this group.
