All workshops at the Fremantle Children's Literature Centre are designed to be exciting, interactive and exploratory. Learning experiences are planned to support the Student Learning Outcomes of the Curriculum Framework and may include such activities as predicting storylines, drama, writing and illustration work. Unless discussed, it is preferred that teachers do not introduce their students to the focus book(s) before visiting the Centre as teachers will find that the exhibitions act best as a stimulus to many follow up activities.

THE PEASANT PRINCE
Li Cunxin and Anne Spudvilas

Viking/Penguin Books

In a poor village in northern China, a small boy is about to be taken away from everything he's ever known. He is so afraid, but his mother urges him to follow his dreams. For soon he will become a dancer, one of the finest dancers in the world . . .
So begins The Peasant Prince, the true story of Li Cunxin's extraordinary life. Based upon his internationally best-selling memoir, Mao's Last Dancer, this remarkable picture book captures the essence of one of the most inspiring stories to come from China in many years. With hauntingly beautiful illustrations by award-winning artist Anne Spudvilas, Li's journey of courage and determination is simply told, and as powerful as any fairytale.
Suitable:  Year 4 to Year 10

WORLD OF MONSTERS
Marc McBride

Scholastic Australia

Award winning fantasy illustrator Marc McBride, much loved by fans of the Deltora Quest series, has created something very special in World of Monsters. Eight months ago, McBride was sent an incredible package from 15-year-old monsterologist Edgar Wishbone. Wishbone had been on a treacherous research journey in the hope of exposing the world of monsters, but fate forced him to hand this responsibility, and his discoveries, over to McBride. This exhibition will captivate your students. An absolute must see.
Suitable:  Year 4 to Year 10

THE SUPER PARP-BUSTER
Janeen Brian and Greg Holfeld

Working Title Press

Slim Pickles and Jolly spend all day in their shed on a hill inventing knick-knacks and nobblers and thing-a-me-jigs. But when the air grows thick with parps and pollution they decide what the world really needs is a super parp-buster! The wonderfully, quirky text and animated, comic illustrations will enthral your students, while also promoting lively discussion of environmental issues.
Suitable:  PrePrimary to Year 4

RUBY ROARS
Margaret Wild/Kerry Argent

Allen and Unwin

From the award-winning team that brought us Miss Lily's Fabulous Pink Feather Boa, comes Ruby Roars, a wonderfully romping story about finding your own voice.  Little Ruby, an adventurous Tasmanian Devil, wants to scare someone. 'Scrrr! Screekle!' she yowls.  But the other animals aren't frightened at all.  What can she do?  Young readers will be totally engaged by both Kerry Argent’s boisterous, vibrant illustrations and Margaret Wild’s story of finding pride in new abilities.  An excellent exhibition for drama and speaking and listening skills. .
Suitable:  PrePrimary to Year 3

ALBERTA
Tania Cox and Janine Dawson

Working Title Press

Nothing Alberta does is small.  So when her parents tell her she will soon be a BIG sister, she is very excited.  But on the day the eggs arrive, Alberta can’t help feeling a little disappointed.
While delighting in the antics of Alberta, an Antarctic Gentoo penguin, your students will gain greatly from viewing the extensive range of materials showing the process of creating this picture book.  A wonderful stimulus for writing and drama and a great introduction to Antarctica.
Suitable:  PrePrimary to Year 4

HEIPPARALLAA!
Liliana Stafford/Elina Järvinen

Windy Hollow Books

“Dear Maaria, I have never had a penfriend before.  I chose you because my teacher showed me a picture of Finnish Lappland.”
So opens this charming book, which traces the emails between Maaria and her Aussie pen-pal, Alidia, as they contrast their lives – the weather, the fruits, the sports and, of course, Christmas customs.  A great stimulus to how Christmas is celebrated around the world and the power of on-line communication between children.
Suitable:  PrePrimary to Year 4

THE PEASANT PRINCE
Li Cunxin and Anne Spudvilas

Viking/Penguin Books

In a poor village in northern China, a small boy is about to be taken away from everything he's ever known. He is so afraid, but his mother urges him to follow his dreams. For soon he will become a dancer, one of the finest dancers in the world.  The Peasant Prince is the true story of Li Cunxin's extraordinary life. Based upon his internationally best-selling memoir, Mao's Last Dancer, this remarkable picture book captures the essence of one of the most inspiring stories to come from China in many years. With hauntingly beautiful illustrations by award-winning artist Anne Spudvilas, Li's journey of courage and determination is simply told, and as powerful as any fairytale.             Suitable:  Year 4 to Year 7
Winner 2008 NSW Premier’s Book Awards – Patricia Wrightson Prize
Shortlisted CBC Picture Book of the Year Award 2007

WORLD OF MONSTERS
Marc McBride

Scholastic Australia

Award winning fantasy illustrator Marc McBride, much loved by fans of the Deltora Quest series, has created something very special in World of Monsters. Eight months ago, McBride was sent an incredible package from 15-year-old monsterologist Edgar Wishbone. Wishbone had been on a treacherous research journey in the hope of exposing the world of monsters, but fate forced him to hand this responsibility, and his discoveries, over to McBride. This exhibition will captivate your students. An absolute must see.
Suitable:  Year 4 to Year 10

CENTRE CLASSICS
For Upper Primary/Secondary Students

The Centre is offering a selection of challenging, engaging workshops for upper primary/secondary students that can be tailored to your students’ needs. Please choose from the outstanding selection below and ring the Centre to discuss your session.
- The Arrival – Shaun Tan
- The Red Tree – Shaun Tan
- The Kraken by Gary Crew and Marc McBride
- The House of Narcissus by Margaret Wild & Wayne Harris
- The Watertower by Gary Crew and Steven Woolman
- Beneath the Surface by Gary Crew and Steven Woolman
- Old Ridley by Gary Crew and Marc McBride
- The Figures of Julian Ashcroft by Gary Crew & Hans de Haas

MAKE YOUR OWN PICTURE BOOK

The perfect workshop to prepare your students for children's picture book competitions or curriculum programmes.  This workshop explores the concepts of gaining ideas, editing, storyboards, dummy books, layout and illustration techniques and can be tailored to your requirements.

Suitable: Years 4 to 12                 Duration: 2 or 4 hours

INSIDE THE PICTURE BOOK WORKSHOPS

This workshop draws on many picture books and illustrations to explore concepts within the picture book.  These workshops can be tailored to your students’ needs but may include such elements as: themes and issues, positioning the reader, identifying target audiences, interpreting visual texts, stereotypes, text structure, etc.
Suitable:  Year 6 to Year 12  -  Duration:  2 or 4 hours