Kids back the bid...by the book
St Andrew’s pupils create illustrated adventure
Young artists have created an illustrated book to boost Paisley’s City of Culture bid.
St Andrew’s Academy pupils took up the challenge of drawing the adventures of a girl spreading love in their home town.
The 20 S2 teens from the Paisley school took just three months to devise, produce and manufacture the story.
Teacher Stephanie Bell told how the group wanted to do what it could to promote the region.
She said: “The pupils came up with the ideas for everything and they wanted to do something that would represent them as individuals, their community of Paisley and Scotland in general.
“They wanted to document it and get their own artwork out there.
“They were very excited about the thought that they could associate the book with the Paisley 2021 bid and show that it’s not just practitioners and working people, but it’s also the pupils of Paisley who are representing the art culture.”
Anna’s Adventures tells how a girl wakes on Christmas Day to find an empty tree in her living room.
When she discovers a note from Santa telling her to be “kind and caring” to the people of Scotland, the heroine goes on a journey to spread happiness.
The trip takes her hunting for Mary Queen of Scots’ crown, before a visit to the Kelpies and a chance encounter with the Loch Ness Monster.
The last stop on her journey takes her back to Paisley – the place where she feels most at home.
Stephanie added: “The kids are hoping to sell the book to as many people as they know, and then we are going to see if any primary schools would be interested in it as well, so we can publicise the book as much as possible.
“There were 20 pupils involved in the first book, but we have got other classes that are doing other illustrated children’s books which will hopefully be sold at later dates.
“It may become an annual thing but we are definitely going to keep promoting Paisley through them.”
Paisley is bidding to be UK City of Culture 2021.
The entry aims to use the town’s unique heritage and cultural story to transform its future and attract investment.
To buy the book, email Stephanie at gw16bellstephanie@ glow.sch.uk or call St Andrew’s Academy on 0141 887 5201.