Creative chaos at the library!

By Lucie Bergeron

Eleven very creative and exceptionally motivated kids spent their Professional Develoment (Pro ) day afternoon at the library on October 25 producing a graphic novel under the guidance of local artist and author/ illustrator Bruce Thomas.

After a discussion about the history and evolution of the graphic novel, the group worked as a team to create a story. They worked together to develop characters and develop a storyline. Each member of the group then wrote and illustrated one page of the story. In one afternoon of focused and determined work they were able to get their graphic novel, called the Queen’s Necklace, to the preproduction stage. Future programs will involve inking, colouring and then publishing the work. Children not involved in this initial workshop would be welcome at any subsequent ones.

Staff members at the library are thrilled with the success of this program.

“It was amazing to see how hard all these kids worked on this project, “said community librarian Kendra Runnalls, “They didn’t take any breaks!”

There will be more workshops of this nature at the library in the future. Other programs coming right up at the library include pumpkin painting for ages 7 and up on Wednesday, October 30,    from 3 to 5 pm, and games day on November 1 from 1 to 4 pm.  Other new programs to look for in the new year include Lego Club, Teen Jams, and Family Craft days. For more information contact the library at 250-837-2536 or email at revelstoke@orl.bc.ca.

Here are some photos from the event:
Author illustrator Bruce Thomas was an animated presenter who kept everyone at the workshop engaged. Bruce has produced several graphic novels, which the Okanagan Regional Library is currently in the process of acquiring. Lucie Bergeron photo courtesy of the Revelstoke branch of the Okanagan Regional Library
Author illustrator Bruce Thomas was an animated presenter who kept everyone at the workshop engaged. Bruce has produced several graphic novels, which the Okanagan Regional Library is currently in the process of acquiring. Lucie Bergeron photo courtesy of the Revelstoke branch of the Okanagan Regional Library
Cameron Mctaggart , Poly Van Oort, and Sydney Musseau have a look at Bruce’s graphic novels prior to starting one of their own.  Lucie Bergeron photo courtesy of the Revelstoke Branch of the Okanagan Regional Library
Cameron Mctaggart , Poly Van Oort, and Sydney Musseau have a look at Bruce’s graphic novels prior to starting one of their own. Lucie Bergeron photo courtesy of the Revelstoke Branch of the Okanagan Regional Library
Everett Carter pages through one of Bruce's graphic novels  before setting out to create his own.Lucie Bergeron photo courtesy of the Revelstoke branch of the Okanagan Regional Library
Everett Carter pages through one of Bruce’s graphic novels before setting out to create his own.Lucie Bergeron photo courtesy of the Revelstoke branch of the Okanagan Regional Library
Alexandra Luxmoore hard at work on her page for The Queen’s Necklace. Lucie Bergeron photo courtesy of the Revelstoke Branch of the Okanagan Regional Library
Alexandra Luxmoore hard at work on her page for The Queen’s Necklace. Lucie Bergeron photo courtesy of the Revelstoke Branch of the Okanagan Regional Library
A lot of care goes into the creation of an original graphic novel. Lucie Bergeron photo courtesy of the Revelstoke Branch of the Okanagan Regional Library
A lot of care goes into the creation of an original graphic novel. Lucie Bergeron photo courtesy of the Revelstoke Branch of the Okanagan Regional Library
More pages from the graphic novel in progress. Lucie Bergeron photo courtesy of the Revelstoke Branch of the Okanagan Regional Library
More pages from the graphic novel in progress. Lucie Bergeron photo courtesy of the Revelstoke Branch of the Okanagan Regional Library

Bruce has produced several graphic novels, which the Okanagan Regional Library is currently in the process of acquiring. You can view them by following these links:

Lucie Bergeron is a member of the staff at the  Okanagan Regional Library’s Revelstoke branch