School Excursions & Paper Bird Dozens

Be immersed in the Story House illustration exhibitions, studios and, of course, the magical bookshop.

Email Paper Bird to book your school excursion, hello@paperbird.com.au. We offer a range of workshops and Speakers to suit your school’s needs, including tours of our Resident Artist’s studios, art workshops, creative writing workshops, and more.

Paper Bird has also curated a special selection of Dozens for classrooms. Each Dozen has been chosen for classrooms with strong Australian content and opportunities for schools to bring books alive with author/illustrator workshops and exhibitions in the Paper Bird Story House.   We have painstakingly selected a dozen Classic, a dozen Modern Classics and a dozen “Sparks” for each year group K-6.  Contact us or pop in to view the selection.

Available to buy as discounted packages.

Our Classics lists contains books that were written during an era unfamiliar to modern children (e.g. that at least predate the digital age and, often, WWII) and contain universal themes despite content that may not reflect how we live today, our moral codes or familiar environment. Classics are books that have stood the test of time, albeit that the ‘time’ within which they have been tested is short compared to ‘classic’ literature for adults. Books written for children’s pleasure (rather than for moral, religious or educational purposes) were simply not written until the late 19^th century when the concept of “childhood” was beginning to be recognised.

Our Modern Classics are those children’s books that have publishing longevity, are based in a world familiar to modern children and have, we think, the prospect of one day becoming Classics. As an example, we consider Alison Lester’s, “Magic Beach”, as a Modern Classic – it was published 15 years ago, is much loved with familiar scenes of family life, and is “replenishment stock” in libraries and bookshops.

‘Sparks’ are must-read contemporary books, including new releases. This list highlights the best books of-the-moment – books that reflect what’s going on in the world today, in both content, sentiment, themes and new writing & illustrative techniques. This is the frontier of writing and illustration. Here we get to really promote our top local writers and illustrators, providing opportunities for readers to engage with creators of stories close to home through author talks, workshops and illustrator exhibitions. Paper Bird is the perfect place for these events, with a gallery above the bookshop and studios where writers and illustrators work.

Testimonials

“We all had a wonderful time at Paper Bird yesterday. The students were all very much inspired by the books, the artwork, the artist’s studios and most of all by Samantha’s wonderful style. They were happy and chatty all the way back to Duncraig with many positive comments. We will definitely come again to work with the illustrators. You have a wonderful set up.”

Bronwyn Schultz, Design & Visual Art Specialist Teacher, St Stephen’s School, Duncraig

“Our Pre-Primary class attended an excursion to Paper Bird Children’s Books & Arts, it was a wonderful engaging literacy experience for the students. The students were able to meet Author Liliana Stafford and hear a background behind her story books. The children thoroughly enjoyed this rich literacy experience & it was very exciting knowing that Paper Bird is where Liliana writes & develops the stories. The play ground out the back was a fantastic addition, the students were able to eat their lunches & explore the nature scape playground. Thank you Paper Bird for a interesting & engaging excursion.”

Jennifer O’Neill, Teacher, Fremantle Primary School