Primary student helps bring new children’s book to life

A CHILDREN’S book illustrated by a Year 4 student from Christian College was unveiled on Friday, with family, friends and the school community gathering to mark the milestone.

Titled What if the World was Upside Down?, the book imagines a world turned upside down and has been more than six years in the making for author Tess Keech, whose son also attends Christian College.

Determined to keep the work grounded in childhood imagination, she launched a school-wide competition earlier this year to find a student illustrator.

Edith Bennett, 9, was chosen to illustrate the book after her cover design proposal was selected from 40 entries. She has since been working diligently after school, on weekends and around her extracurricular activities to complete each of the designs.

Tess said the final result had exceeded her expectations.

“I’m so pleased with how it turned out. It’s better than I had imagined, and I thank Edith for that because she’s been so wonderful to work with,” Tess said.

“It’s a children’s book that’s by a child for children, and that’s really special.”

The book launch was a day of “lots of emotions” for both the author and illustrator, who found themselves in hot demand to sign copies of their creation for fans, both old and new.

“Seeing all these familiar, lovely faces come and support us – it’s really beautiful,” Tess said.

“I’m so thankful to everyone who’s helped along the way. Christian College have done an amazing job supporting us through this.

“I hope people buy the book. I hope they love it. I hope they read it, and it is enjoyable for them, and they maybe even get upside down.”

What if the World was Upside Down? is available from Amazon or directly through Australian publisher Clark and Mackay.