Every year National Book Week is a time of excitement at Peranbin’s Baddaginnie-Swanpool campus but this year there was a new, slightly nervous, anticipation for the week-long event.
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In the past, together the students and the staff have dressed up as a character from a book, and a flurry of activities occur throughout the week to celebrate a love of books, big and small, old and new.
This year, along with the dress-ups, a new venture was trialed: ‘5 Days, 3 Minds, 1 Book.’
The students formed groups of three, each consisting of a student from Years 5 or 6, a student from Years 3 or 4, and a student from Prep, Year 1 or Year 2.
And on Monday morning, each group brainstormed ideas to publish their own book in preparation for an official book launch to be held at the end of the week.
A few daunted faces were on show, however the groups soon got to work, ensuring everyone had input.
By Tuesday morning, after a short recap and final discussions, the book ideas were confirmed and the writing began.
By the end of Wednesday, all seven groups had completed writing their books as staff started typing them up for the next day.
Thursday was dedicated to illustrating the books, with more discussion about what must feature and who would take responsibility for various pages.
And it was a captive audience at the official Book Launch on Friday morning, with everyone listening with great interest as each group introduced their stories and shared their favourite parts.
After the formal launch it was time for the newly minted authors to mingle, answering many questions about their own experiences and plans for their next literary masterpiece.
A copy of the combined author/illustrator books will be kept at each of the Baddaginnie and Swanpool campuses, with the students also kept busy completing their very own copy with their own illustrations throughout.
All in all, ‘5 Days, 3 Minds, 1 Book’ was a success, not just because these books were written and published, but because of the collaboration between the students to produce stories that every member could be proud to be a part of.
