Crafting a Children's Picture Book

As part of The Victoria Park Writers' Festival, join award-winning team- author Mark Greenwood and illustrator Frané Lessac, to discover the collaborative creative process behind crafting a historical children's picture book.

Be present as they breathe life into two touching true stories of Anzac soldiers and their beloved animals in their poignant presentation, Animal War Heroes.

1. Midnight - the story of a light horse, is the story of a soldier and his beloved horse who took part in the last great cavalry charge at Beersheba during the First World War.
2. Simpson and His Donkey tells the story of one man and a donkey who worked tirelessly in Shrapnel Gully carrying wounded soldiers from the battlefront to the beach hospital after the initial Gallipoli landing on 25th April 1915.

Format

1. Find out how these touching accounts of bravery, patriotism and sacrifice became award-winning books
2. Mark and Frané will share the origins and inspirations for their books and the collaborative process of blending text and art for publication.
3. They will show the research process and the balancing of creative interpretation with historical and cultural authenticity.
4. Take away your own piece of writing and an illustrated sketch of a brave animal war hero…and spark your own creativity

This is a rare opportunity to meet and work with an award- winning children’s book author and illustrator. It is sure to be a memorable experience that students will cherish for the rest of their lives

Key information

Sunday 14th April, 2024

2.00 – 3.30pm

Victoria Park Community Centre – 248 Gloucester Street, East Victoria park

Free Event 16+

Bookings essential

BYO:  pen & note book

Light refreshments provided

Mark Greenwood’s Biography:

Mark Greenwood is a history hunter. He enjoys searching for lost explorers and glittering treasure, delving into baffling mysteries and solving famous cold cases. His award-winning books have been enjoyed around the world.

The Legend of Moondyne Joe and The Legend of Lassete’s Reef have both won the West Australian Premier’s Award. Simpson and His Donkey was a CBCA Honour Book. Jandamarra was shortlisted for the CBCA Eve Pownall Award and the NSW Premier’s Literary Awards. Boomerang and Bat, also illustrated by Terry Denton, was a CBCA notable book.

Mark often teams with his wife, illustrator Frané Lessac, to produce books that promote an understanding of diversity and multicultural issues, such as Drummer Boy of John, Magic Boomerang and Outback Adventure. Their other books include Ned Kelly & The Green Sash, a CBCA notable book and winner of the West Australian Young Readers’ Book Award, The Greatest Liar on Earth, The Mayflower and Midnight - the story of a light horse, also a CBCA notable book.

Mark’s recent books include the History Mysteries chapter book series, The Happiness Box, a CBCA Honour Book, The Book of Stone, Moonwalkers and the Our Country series – Ancient Wonders and Where History Happened.

In 2024, Mark’ will celebrate the release of the first two books in his new ‘History Hunter’ series – The Vanishing and The Dragon’s Treasure.

Find out more about Mark and his books at: www.markgreenwood.com.au

Frané Lessac’s Biography:

Frané Lessac is a West Australian author-illustrator with over 50 award-winning children books published throughout the world. She grew up in a small town outside of New York City and lived on the Caribbean Island of Montserrat and later London before moving to Australia in 1990.

She is married to children’s author, Mark Greenwood, and together they have collaborated on Simpson and his Donkey, Midnight – the story of a light horse, Ned Kelly and the Green Sash, and The Legend of Moondyne Joe.

Frané’s author-illustrator titles include, A Is for Australia, Australian Baby Animals, Under the Southern Cross, and Australia Under the Sea 1,2,3. 

Frané is a dynamic presenter and shares with students of all ages the process of writing and illustrating picture books. Her optimism, humour and eye for detail in the wealth of stories she has to tell is sure to hold any audience captive.

This event is proudly funded and supported by the Town of Victoria Park, as part of their Arts Grants