Storytellers engage with pupils in joy of books
One poet, two writers and an illustrator spoke to their readers at three Timaru schools in the Storylines and the Story Tour.
The tour, covering 30 schools on the east coast of the South Island, started on November 18 and concluded in Timaru on Friday. It was one of six different tours throughout the country over the year, connecting invited creatives behind children’s books with their audiences to promote the enjoyment of reading and creative writing.
Poet Paula Green spoke at Grantlea Downs School, while writer Philipa Werry was at Beaconsfield School and writer Eileen Merriman and illustrator Vasanti Unka took separate classes at Waimataitai School.
The 45-minute sessions engaged the pupils as the creatives read their stories, encouraged interaction and answered questions. Unka said she had particularly enjoyed the small schools and the energy and imagination of all the children.
She trained as a graphic designer and writes, designs and illustrates her books. She has published six so far, with each one taking a few months to complete. A lot of her time was spent jotting down ideas inspired by all sorts of experiences, such as walking along the beach.
Merriman also found the tour to be fun. The most common question she had been asked was how to deal with writer’s block.
‘‘I will go for a walk, read other books or keep writing.’’
Her latest book, Invisibly Breathing, was about two teenagers being bullied, one at school and one at home and how they realise they have a lot in common and a friendship is forged. A pupil she had talked to during the tour sent her a chapter of the book they were writing for her to read which made her feel really good about what the tour was achieving.
‘‘I love to inspire reading.’’