Beauty of books explored

The Literature Centre paid a special visit to students at Baler Primary School as part as part of its latest Picture Book Tour this month.

TLC education officer Beck Blaxell presented 12 workshops to pre-primary to Year 6 students, showcasing original artwork from the picture book Bear and Chook By The Sea, written by Lisa Shanahan.

Ms Blaxell said the aim of the session was to allow students to use their visual literacy skills to explore the narrative process.

“This book is essentially about friendship and adventure,” she said.

“It’s a beautiful example of how picture books are used in classrooms to link to Australian Curriculum fundamentals such as exploring language, the arts, health, and demonstrating personal and social capabilities.

“All of the picture books we work with at The Literature Centre are chosen for their layered storylines, their broad links to the Australian Curriculum and the fun and learning children can unearth from them.”

TLC director Lesley Reece said the centre’s picture book exhibitions were a good warm-up to get students excited for the upcoming 2016 Book Week.

“For us, every week is Book Week, but I know that primary schools and libraries get very excited when the (Children’s Book Council of Australia’s) Book Week approaches,” she said.

“For Baler Primary School, they’re getting a lovely warm-up to the excitement of Book Week with Beck’s fun and interactive workshops featuring Bear and Chook By The Sea.”

Ms Reece said she was proud to see Pilbara schools exposed to quality Australian literature as part of TLC’s partnership with BHP Billiton.

“Students are excited to step inside a picture book when they realise they are surrounded by the original artwork created by the illustrator,” she said.

“Their learning is magnified when extra senses, beyond just hearing a story, are called upon.

“Next term, TLC will present picture book workshops in Newman primary schools, while award-winning Australian author/illustrator/composer Matt Ottley and author/illustrator Coral Tulloch will be visiting the Pilbara to work with students in several schools.”

TLC operates across the education and the arts sectors, reaching more than 35,000 students a year from pre-primary to Year 12.