Loch pre-schoolers launch their very own book

A STORYBOOK written by 23 four and five-year-old preschoolers from Loch was launched with a reading at Korumburra library last Thursday.

Willow Pillows Great Adventure Around Universes takes the reader on a meandering, magical, and hilariously epic adventure in search of Willow’s best friend. 

With the help of parent, writer, editor, artist and translator, Leah Broadby, the children spent months coming up with ideas and crafting a story line that was unique and cohesive and prepared drawings and collages to go with the story. 

“There’s nothing so exciting as the unfettered imagination of a child,” Leah said. 

“They’re not so formulaic, the meandering nature and the randomness is beautiful.”

The preschoolers wild imaginations and differing views led them to create a story with portals and unexpected twists and turns. 

“I believe the easiest thing to do for them is come up with ideas. They had great fun doing that,” commented Leah, “and helping shape their unbridled, beautifully naive way of thinking into story format has been a joyous experience.”

The books have been printed and the children are excited to call themselves authors and illustrators and to see the end product of all their hard work.

“They have learned a lot about literacy, literature and editing. What an author is and what an illustrator does, and it’s been quite an amazing experience for them to be involved in,” said pre-school teacher, Debbie O’Halloran. 

“They have a really strong connection with the story and they all identify what parts were their contributions, what parts were their ideas and words, and there’s a lot of meaning to the children as a group which is fantastic.”

Loch Preschool Storybook Reading of Willow Pillows Great Adventure was held last Thursday at Myli Library Korumburra with families of the children who worked on the book attending. 

The book is available to purchase, $15 for one and $10 for any extras from the Loch and District Preschool.