Writers and illustrators collaborate for book project

Edward O'Daly

8 August 2006: Children's stories by University of Canberra students were put to the test when young bookworms from Gordon Primary School visited the campus on Friday.

The children were asked to choose their favourite stories and illustrations from the Get Real project, which saw the University's creative writing and graphic design students collaborate to produce children's books.

Bookworms Daniel Lopera, 10, Brodie Gration, 11, Chloe Smith, 11, Melissa Ord, 11 and Kelsey Drew, 10, check out the exhibition Photo: Kimberly Douglas

Sam the Detective, Clayton Smith's story of a boy on the trail of his missing bike, was the eventual winner of the Little People's Choice Award.

"It was a little bit more adventurous than the others and it had the best descriptions," 11-year-old Chloe Smith said.

Claudia Dinallo's artwork for Knit Knit Knit won the Little People's Choice Award for illustration.

Gordon Primary School teacher John Muir said the trip to the University had been "exciting" for his class.

"It's great for them to have different stories read to them by different people and to match different stories to original illustrations," he added.

Graphic design lecturer Julie Bradley said the Get Real project gave her students a taste of a real life professional design project.

"It's a real project, going through a real process, with a real author, and it's judged by a real publisher," she said.

"But we also remember who our target audience are and it's great to get the children's perspective."

Check out our gallery of the Get Real exhibition opening

The Little People's Choice Award
Best illustration: Claudia Dinallo
Knit Knit Knit

Best text:
Clayton Smith
Sam the Detective

Best Image Maker Award (Sponsored by the University Cooperative Bookshop)
Ben Cochrane
The Circus

Best Visual Text Award (Sponsored by the University Cooperative Bookshop)
Joan Cornish
Just Me Izzie

Image Maker Encouragement Award (Sponsored by the ACT branch of the Children's Book Council of Australia)
Steven Bell
Sam The Detective

Writer's Encouragement Award (Sponsored by The ACT Writers Centre)
Kyla Metcalf
Soft Room Sharp Room

Best Collaborative Work (Sponsored by the University Co operative Bookshop)
Sam The Detective
Author Clayton Smith
Illustrator Briana McEwen