The next generation of story-tellers have been given a platform to show off their skills, thanks to an innovative scheme by Gwynedd Council.
The Libraries Service has been working in conjunction with the Education Department, together with other partners, to give pupils from schools across the county an opportunity to create their own books. The schools taking part were Ysgol Uwchradd Tywyn; Ysgol Ardudwy, Harlech; Ysgol Dyffryn Ogwen, Bethesda; Ysgol Dyffryn Nantlle, Penygroes.
The children worked with the author Alun Ceri Jones; the cartoonist Mal Humphreys and the technical designer Osian Hughes to create their own books.
The aim of the project was to inspire youngsters and boost their interest in books as well as improving their confidence in their own abilities.
During the sessions, held at the various schools, the boys were given the chance to create their own graphic books – a story told through pictures. Their ability to tell a story was developed as they learnt to weave words and images and develop their plot, create characters and draw up a dialogue.
Gwen Lasarus, Gwynedd’s literature promoter, said:
“The success of this scheme is to be seen in the way the boy’s self esteem has grown through taking part in the project. Without a doubt, any scheme which encourages young people to step into a world of books is to be encouraged.”
The end product was the publication of four graphic novels and copies will be sent to each participating school. The sale of some of the books will raise funds towards the Haiti disaster appeal.
It is hoped that the boys who took part in this ground-breaking scheme will now go on to create films of their graphic books, which will be another outlet for their creativity as well as an opportunity to further develop their computer skills. There will be opportunities to create more books in the future.
The graphic books scheme is a joint project between Gwynedd Council’s Libraries Service and the Education Department, funded by the Basic Skills Agency Cymru as part of the campaign to improve literacy.
For more information about the scheme, contact Nia Gruffydd at Gwynedd Council’s Libraries Service on 01286 679465.
