Tec-NQ student becomes a published author

NEW RELEASE FROM BLACK INK PRESS:
Books by kids for kids

Those Indigenous adolescents are at it again. Writing and illustrating picture-story books for other kids to enjoy. Who says this generation only play sport and computer games?

The second series of Little Black Books from Black Ink Press are all written and illustrated by kids for kids. These four books are by two talented pairs of siblings, Reagan and Brandon Stutley and Kaitlin and Gabrielle Kum Sing.

On Friday July 15 at 7pm, the launch in the Thuringowa Library Lounge will be hosted by Townsville City Libraries. The young authors will be celebrated with dance and food.

These books result from an imaginative project initiated by the late and much-missed Indigenous Liaison Officer Kerry Clarkson and Youth Librarian Shan Boller of Townsville City Libraries, supported by RADF (Regional Arts Development Fund) funds.

A group of young people attended after-school workshops at the Thuringowa Library over 10 Fridays in 2010. Supported by Kerry, Annette Burns and other library staff, Black Ink Press staff also brought along Indigenous mentors such as Esther Fischer, Robbie Paul and Trevor Fourmile to inspire the young authors.

A few books are not yet completed but these four have been published as Little Black Books. They are small and very different and will be enjoyed by children of all ages, including other adolescents. Hopefully they will encourage some other kids to read.

“The participants not only learned about making a book but it also built up their own communication skills,” said Janeese Henaway, Indigenous Liaison Officer who is planning the launch. “We are looking forward to inviting these four to become mentors when the next workshops take place.”

At the time Brandon was at Ryan Catholic College and the other students were attending Kirwan State High. Since finishing the book, Reagan has moved to Tec-NQ, and Kaitlin and Gabrielle both now go to Calvary Christian College.

It is reported that there are more books being dreamt up in the Stutley and Kum Sing households. One young author was heard to say, “My next book will be even better.”

They are available, like all Black Ink Press titles, from all good book shops, distributed by Australian Book Group (ABG), or direct from the publisher. In Townsville they will be stocked by Mary Who? Books and the World Vision Shop.

Black Ink Press is a community-based Indigenous writing, illustrating and publishing project based in Townsville. It supports and mentors emerging storytellers and artists, to create contemporary illustrated books especially for young Indigenous readers.

Black Ink Press is a part of CCDEU (Congress Community Development and Education Unit Ltd), an initiative of the UAICC (Uniting Aboriginal and Islander Christian Congress).