Celebrating Book Week with Chris Kennett

Published on 05 August 2021

To celebrate this year’s Book Week in the Gannawarra, author and illustrator, Chris Kennett will be visiting local primary schools across the Shire from the 18th – 20th of August to deliver interactive workshops in story writing and illustration. 

Funded through the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal, the workshops will provide students insight into Chris’s creative practice and give primary school students in Murrabit, Koondrook, Leitchville and Kerang, the opportunity to create their own imaginative creatures, stories, and entire worlds, right from the page.

The theme of this year’s Book Week is “Old worlds, New worlds, Other worlds”. Most children would be familiar with Chris’s work and experience, as, in addition to his own publications, Chris has collaborated with Hex and Bajo from the ABC’s ‘Good Game’ television program, worked as the character designer and design supervisor for the popular cartoon ‘The Day My Butt Went Psycho’, and illustrated a series of Golden Books based on the ‘Star Wars’ movies.  Recent projects include illustrating a new book series by Sally Rippon called ‘School of Monsters’ and ‘The Nerd Herd’. 

“Chris demonstrates the modern career possibilities that exist in design and story-writing and will provide a wealth of inspiration to our young Gannawarra residents through his extensive experience and insight,” Mayor Charlie Gillingham said.

“His books and fun-loving attitude will give  them a renewed interest in writing and illustration that may just support a new generation of budding authors and artists in our community”.

Chris’ visit coincides with the lead in to annual Book Week celebrations, where local kinder and school students will be participating in the Book Parade events on Friday August 27.