Book Week - 2018 CBCA Short Listed Picture Book of the Year

A WALK IN THE BUSH

Written & Illustrated by Gwyn Perkins
Published by Affirm Press
Adapted for the stage & performed by "Tony Bones" Appleby B.Ed
Music by "Tony Bones" Appleby B.Ed & Adrian Portell
Technical Design by Peter Amesbury

What do schools think of our shows? St Joseph's PS, Springvale, VIC

About the book:

Little Iggy doesn’t want to leave the house, but Grandad insists – they always have fun together.

What follows is a wonderful journey in the great Australian outdoors with singing birds, wallaby surprises, secret caterpillar messages and oodles of grandad humour.

Here is a story about the wonders of nature, the funny side of life and spending time with the ones we love.

From an original and exciting new talent comes A Walk in the Bush, proudly the first picture book from Affirm Press.

About the show:

Curriculum Areas:

• The Arts (Dance, Drama, Media Arts, Music, Visual Arts);
• English;
• Science;
• Humanities an

d Social Sciences.

Learning Areas:

• Literacy;
• ICT Capability;
• Critical & Creative Thinking;
• Personal and Social Capability;
• Ethical Understanding;
• Intercultural Understanding.

Topics & Themes:

1. The Environment & Nature (Australian Flora & Fauna, Sustainability, Conservation);
2. Relationships (Family, Pets);
3. Healthy Living (Hobbies, Exercise - Bushwalking).

Suitable for:

• Foundation (Prep, Reception) to Grade 6.

This brand new 40 minute stage performance will bring the new Australian picture book TO LIFE!! It is created & performed by "Tony Bones" Appleby B.Ed, a qualified drama & dance teacher with over 20 years of professional school teaching & performing experience in children's theatre & theatre in education. Tony has been adapting & performing CBCA shortlisted books across Australia for Book Week since 2000 & this will be his 33rd Australian book adapted to the stage.

The show will tour all states & territories in Australia in this nationwide tour!!!

The stage show includes:

• Drama - a variety of performance styles within the show: Melodrama, Pantomime, Musical Theatre, Physical Theatre, Mime, Puppetry, Game show, Improvisation, etc.
• Dance - a variety of dance styles within the show: Jazz, contemporary, Hip Hop, etc.
• Music - a variety of music styles in the show: Pop, Hip Hop, RnB, Rap, Rock, Folk, etc;
• Puppetry - a variety of puppetry styles in the show: Shadow puppetry, Hand puppetry, Marionette / String puppetry, Board puppetry.
• Mask - Whole face masks, part face masks, noses, animals etc.
• Painted sets - Painted on fabric, plywood, cardboard & paper.
• Digital projections - 2 x 16:9 digital projectors cast images of the book, digital images of sets, animations, explosions & lighting displays onto large 65" projection screens on either side of the stage creating an incredible viewing experience for the students. They are also used for shadow puppetry in the show.
• Raised staging - 45cm high staging 2m wide x 1m deep ensure everyone, even in very large groups can see all of the action;
• DMX coloured stage lighting - the very latest DMX coloured stage lighting is used throughout the show to create intense & dynamic atmosphere throughout the performance.
• Professional sound system - powered EV pro speakers & the pro Shure radio headset microphone & bodypack are used to ensure crystal clear sound for even the very largest halls;
• Audience participation - Students are used throughout the show to both participate in the audience (responding, singing or dancing along, creating scenes in the audience) & also joining in on stage to operate puppets, dress in costume to become characters, create sets & props during the show, be part of improvised scenes or be contestants in a game show;
• Full Q&A session - after the show a full Question & Answer session takes place led by "Tony Bones" Appleby B.Ed, a qualified teacher with over 16 years experience running these sessions. Tony discusses in depth why he made certain decisions when creating the show (e.g. adding scenes or slightly changing them from the book, sets used, etc), and shows students how the props, sets, puppets, costumes, projections & sound were created for the show, as well as discussing the writing of the script & composing of the songs & music;
• Lesson plans for teachers - Follow up activities are provided for all year levels.

Reviews for the book:

• Kids Book Review -
  Quote:

  ...this gem... is pure delight... a magical journey through the bush, introducing... a glorious array of wildlife... illustrations of the Australian bush and wildlife that are richly detailed, luscious and vibrant
• Booktopia Reviews -
  Quote:

  ...they loved it... Gwyn's iconic illustrations are fresh and evocative. It is wonderful to see Australian books portraying our landscape, flora and fauna. Highly recommended!
• Books + Publishing -
  Quote:

  ...Gwyn Perkins’ paean to the beauty of the bush is both calming and celebratory
• Better Reading -
  Quote:

  Beautifully illustrated, about love, nature, and family
• Readings -
  Quote:

  I’m thoroughly enchanted by the gentle humour and keen observation of the natural world... This book is as refreshing, comforting and stimulating as a weekend bushwalk
• Tim's Bookshop -
  Quote:

  A delightful, funny picture book with some truly wonderful illustrations of our very unique and beautiful bush
• Boomerang Books -
  Quote:

  I love the ironically oblivious know-it-all... an interesting yet remarkably witty bushwalk through nature whilst appreciating the ones we love... a fun, and funny, way to encourage togetherness and appreciate the enchanting facets of the Australian outdoors
• School Essentials -
  Quote:

  A meditative journey in the great Australian outdoors with singing birds, wallaby surprises, secret caterpillar messages and oodles of grandad humour
• Hip Little One -
  Quote:

  Gwyn Perkins has done an awesome job capturing some of Australia’s most wonderful wildlife in his very first picture book... Words can not describe how delightful Gwyn’s illustrations are, they are detailed and fun, friendly and warm and really speak to young readers... This gorgeous picture book is an absolute treat for little Aussies
• In The Good Books
  Quote:

  ...a delightful tale that is set in the bushland

BOOKINGS
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