New children’s book, Shine, by Sunshine Coast-based author, Mr Danny Parker celebrated its launch event thanks to Year 3 students at Matthew Flinders Anglican College.
The Year 3 students were tasked with organising the entire book launch event—from conception to completion—held on 15 March at the College in Buderim.
Flinders head of primary Mrs Trudi Edwards said real-world learning experiences, such as the Shine launch, were a curriculum focus for students from Prep to Year 6 at the College.
“The aim is to have students use the design-thinking process to challenge and empower them to solve real problems and ideate, prototype and test their ideas, all whilst making a difference in the lives of others through empathising with their users,” Mrs Edwards said.
“Shine is a book for children about childhood, about family, about community and the importance of hunting the good stuff,” she said.
“What better way to welcome this book into the world than to leave all the planning and creating of such an event to the students themselves?”
Students worked in groups on areas such as marketing, advertising, promotion, catering, entertainment and budgeting.
At the event, parents, staff and students were delighted with the special touches, from the music to the songs, cake, artworks, speeches, face painting and book signings by the author.
Mr Parker, who is author-in-residence and also the Head of Creative Arts at Flinders, said he was thrilled with the first of his launches to be hosted by children.
Shine is Mr Parker’s 12th children’s book, inspired by his daughter and written as a love song between parent and child.
“The word ‘awesome’ is perhaps the most overused word in the English language, however, never more appropriate than on this occasion,” Mr Parker said.
“The Year 3 book launch was awesome, awe-inspiring, and something I’ll never forget! To have children interacting with my book through activities relating to Shine was delightful, and perfect!
Shine is available through Fremantle Press. It is written by Danny Parker and illustrated by Ruth de Vos.
