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Storybook Brought To Life At Successful Launch Events

Cakes by Karen, who created a 3D ‘creature’ cake.

With the help of two very special guests, a character cake and a host of other activities, Latrobe City’s storybook Where do I belong? was officially launched on Thursday.

By Latrobe City - 2nd April 2012 - Back to News

Latrobe City mayor, Councillor Ed Vermeulen, said that seeing the happy faces of the children who attend the launch parties at Moe PLACE and Traralgon Library was testament to the book’s appeal.

"Whilst the idea behind the book was a way of translating the Latrobe 2026 community vision for the younger members of our community it is, in essence, a storybook. The characters, Clementine and Ferdinand, are engaging and the story about trying to find a mystery creature a name, introduces universal themes such as acceptance and belonging.

"It was wonderful to see so many of them joining in with the very entertaining telling of the tale," Cr Vermeulen said.

Author of the book and Latrobe City’s communications officer, Vicky Daddo, put the success of the launch down to the fact that so much of Where do I belong? was recreated in real life for the children to enjoy.

"The children loved to see the characters come to life and read to them. Having Clementine (played by Fairy Willow) and Ferdinand (played by Darren McCubbin) added more than just an interactive element to the launch – it really helped the children to engage with the story as they visit many places in Latrobe City.

"To hear the children so animated about where they live, identifying with the journey the characters take not just physically but emotionally, was just delightful," Ms Daddo said.

The book’s illustrator, Latrobe City’s marketing and design officer, Kim Zonneveld, said that she had used her own childhood as inspiration for creating the look of the characters.

"I felt that most children could identify with a fairy and a superhero as characters and it was important that the creature looked friendly. With support from local businesses, Cakes by Karen, who created a 3D ‘creature’ cake, and VIK face painting who helped the kids become their own characters, the visuals from the book really came to life.

"To really help the children feel they were in the world of Where do I belong? Clementine and Ferdinand sat in front of a backdrop that a colleague and I made that portrayed a scene from the story.

"Illustrations in a storybook help children to explore their own creative imaginations, offering a new way of looking at a character or location. To see my own imagination brought to life by the actors and the cake was a wonderful experience," Ms Zonneveld explained.

The launch also featured children’s activity and colouring sheets and a special performance of Dance With Me.

Where do I belong? A Clementine and Ferdinand story is available, free, from Latrobe City libraries and service centres.

Media Enquiries:

Media Relations Team

Telephone: 5128 5458 or 0409 797 498

Jacinta Kennedy, Manager Community Relations

Telephone: 5128 5421 or 0401 824 195

For general enquiries, contact Latrobe City Council on 1300 367 700.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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