Children’s illustrator speaks to children about magic of storytelling

Karin Littlewood, who has illustrated more than 40 children’s books, visited pupils on Monday, March 27.

The children were treated to a special storytelling assembly, where Karin read from her book ‘Immi’, before splitting into groups for drawing workshops.

In the workshops, the children were tasked with drawing six pictures, which were later turned into a necklace.

The pupils were then encouraged to use their imaginations to come up with fun stories based on their artwork.

Karin said: “There are no wrong answers in storytelling.

“I just want to give them freedom, complete freedom to tell whatever stories they want.

“I want them to do exactly what I do when I come up with my children’s stories - my writing always comes from my illustrations.

“I kind of know roughly what I want to do but the drawings are the real starting point for me.

“It’s about allowing the children’s imaginations to wander and to go wherever it takes them.

“It was lovely coming down to Mendlesham to meet the children, there were a lot of very promising artists and storytellers among them.

“At the end of the workshops they had lots of lovely stories in their pads.”

Joseph Santy, Head of School at Mendlesham Primary School, said the children had really enjoyed Karin’s visit.

 “It was great having Karin come in to see and speak with the children,” he said.

“It’s all about unlocking their imaginations and fuelling their creativity.

“The children have absolutely loved Karin’s visit to the school and have really been inspired to come up with their own stories and pictures.

“We’d like to say a big thank you to Karin for coming to see us.”

For more information on Mendlesham Primary School visit www.mendlesham.suffolk.sch.uk