Stanley Bay Primary School Launches Book for Kids by Kids

Children from North Shore’s Stanley Bay Primary School have recently launched the book Supertastic Marvelistic, a collection of stories and poems written and illustrated by the children for children. Writer Kevin Ireland was involved in this project, and child cancer charity Kenzie’s Gift will receive the proceeds from sales of the book.

The book has been entirely devised, created, written and illustrated by the Year 5/6 children over the last two terms with the assistance of class teachers Catherine Kelsey and Stephen Grady. The children wanted to produce a book where the profits would go to charity and they chose local Devonport charity Kenzie’s Gift to support. Charity founder, Nicola Russell, whose daughter died from cancer in 2005, spent time with the Stanley Bay School children and was able to share some of her experiences so they could empathise and understand the needs and challenges many children face when living with life threatening illnesses.

Nicola was pleased to say, 'I am delighted that with money raised from the sale of these books we will be able to help even more families. Kenzie’s Gift will also be donating copies of the books to sick children on the Oncology Ward of Starship Hospital. Having spent many days on this ward with Kenzie, I know that that every bit of pleasure can make all the difference to the children’s well-being.'

Class teacher Mrs Kelsey said, 'This has been the most amazing project for the children to get involved with. Not only have they learnt about the needs of children, many of whom are sick in hospital and truly welcome entertaining material to break up the boredom, they have understood and had the practical experience of producing something for real – seeing a concept through to the finished product – writing it, editing it, budgeting for it and finally marketing it.'

Publishing company First Edition Publishing agreed to print the books up front so that there was no initial outlay by the school. The 60 page paperback book can be purchased for $21.95 via email admin@stanleybay.school.nz or through Unity Books, High Street, Auckland or North Shore bookshops, Paradox Books and Next Page Please.

Kevin Ireland, commenting at the launch, said,  'I was honoured to be asked by the children of Stanley Bay School to contribute to this innovative book. We all know the importance of getting children to read and to be able to provide kids with literature that they can relate to and find amusing is very encouraging. I hope that this project will inspire many of the children to continue to write – many of the stories and poems in this book are of a high standard and they should be proud of themselves.'

For further information or interview opportunities please contact Pippa Turley: 09 445 2643, 021 826 433, pippa.turley@xtra.co.nz