Blog
567 readers
176 rewrites
approximately 6000 illustrations
480 story cards
approximately 1500 activity sheets
three posters
26 alphabet cards,
and 2.5 years of my life!
Finally I have finished! What started off as a few readers for Prep children, has blossomed into a Reading Experience for Kindy Kids right through to Year Two. Of course there are still a few corrections to be made. For example, Brian in one of the Year Two readers had a sudden identity crisis and became Brain! But as far as the writing and the drawing, I am finished!
And as most of you know, it definitely hasn’t been all smooth sailing. I would be lying if I said I have enjoyed every step of the way – there were times when I really wanted to walk away from this project. However, thanks to being born under the great sign of Taurus, my stubbornness kicked in, and I have finished. Besides, I have a very expensive bottle of wine in the fridge that I have been saving for when I had completely finished, taunting me every time I opened the fridge.
A friend dropped in the other day to see how I was going. As she surveyed the boxes of paper and laminating pouches ready for the production of our printed material, she tentatively asked,
“So, have you finished?”
When I replied that I had, she said, “That’s fantastic! How are you feeling?”
Good question, Jacinta, good question. I replied, “To be honest, I am exhausted and feeling a little overwhelmed. I feel as though the hard part is about to begin – getting these readers out into schools and homes, and into the very hands that they were written for.”
To this, Jacinta gave one of her trademark laughs and said, “But Katrina, that’s the easy part! I’ve read your books. They are hilarious. They are not sweet, or tidy, or neat. They are a little bit naughty. Kids love that, they love it when characters are a little bit naughty. Besides, don’t we all love to be a little bit naughty every now and then?”
You are so right Jacinta! I have decided to put the marketing issues to one side, and break out some naughtiness! This weekend, that champagne is going to be history, and guess what? I might even open another!
Until next time,
Cheers and best wishes,
Katrina
Teacher and Author of the BORN2READ Reading Program