The Junior Primary boys spent the afternoon (Wednesday 12 August) in the company of the renowned Australian author Aaron Blabey, and they had a wonderful time.

Aaron shared a selection of his stories, including favourites ‘Pig the Pug’ and ‘Pig the Fibber’. The boys were also privileged enough to be read ‘Pig the Winner’, the next book in the series which is still going through the drafting process. The boys were also very impressed with ‘The Bad Guys’, Aaron’s first chapter book and the first of seven in a series. Many of the boys now can’t wait until later in the year when the next book is published!

The boys had a whole array of questions to ask Aaron, and they were keen to find out what it’s like being a successful author and illustrator. Aaron taught the boys the techniques behind drawing some of his favourite characters, including Pig the Pug and Stanley Paste. He also produced some simple but lovely artworks for the school library in the process.

The boys learnt about the drafting and publication process for writing books, and were really interested to learn how books can go from ideas written down on toilet paper (true story), through to a final, successful product. Aaron also taught the boys that getting published is not easy and can take many attempts, but that perseverance is really important!

All in all, it was a great afternoon and a fantastic way to conclude Stage One’s current Unit of Inquiry on stories. There are already many budding authors in Junior Primary, and I know like me, many of them would have been inspired by Aaron’s visit.

Sam Watson – Year 1 Teacher