Australian Book Week 2018

Last week was the CBCA's Australian National Book Week 2018. The theme was Finding Your Treasure. During this time schools, libraries, booksellers, authors, illustrators and children celebrate Australian children's literature and you will often see children's book character parades and talented librarians creating amazing displays.  Many of my art students came in costume to class - it seems to be taken more seriously than American Halloween! Book week is also when the annual awards are announced for Australian Book of the Year.

I had the pleasure of seeing a lovely little Kindergarten student dressed as Lucia The Luchadora again. It reminded me of last year when there was another little blonde Lucia at book week who SWORE she looked exactly like the real version with one exception -- she didn't have green shoelaces. I didn't even remember that I created green shoelaces for the character, but this little girl did. It was beautiful to see that this girl had no idea that her and Lucia might have come from completely different cultural backgrounds.

I also made my debut into schools! I spent a lovely day at St. James College in Cygnet where I presented Behind The Scenes of Picture Book Illustration to grades Prep-6. The students were so engaged and ran up to me all day with Thank You's and to show off their Luchadora crafts that they made after. One kid apparently saw me in the library wearing my cape and ran to another kid saying, "OMG the REAL Lucia The Luchadora is here!"

Mid day coffee break!

I also had the pleasure of showing some of the younger kids what the sequel looks like! They were SO excited to be the first kids ever to get a peek of the next Luchadora. 

I also visited Moonah Primary school where I presented and did some drawing with the 3rd and 4th graders. 

They all created superhero characters and I was so impressed with their enthusiasm and creativity! Now that I have broken the ice, I will certainly be open to more school visits in future! 

Send an email to alyssa.bermudez@gmail.com if you are interested in me visiting your school in person or via Skype! 

Until next time, Book Week!