The book building program that's getting busy nurturing budding young authors

Storytelling plays a vital role for primary school-age children by fostering their imagination, promoting creativity, enhancing language development, and building their emotional intelligence, and this was all front of mind for award-winning junior fiction author Kristy Nita Brown when she began piecing the program together several years ago.

The Book Builders Challenge takes students on a journey from 'idea to bookshelf'.

Over Terms 2 and 3, 350 Year 4, 5, and 6 students across four Perth schools have participated in 20 hours of hands-on workshops led by Brown and some of the state’s most celebrated authors and illustrators, including Gabriel Evans, Kylie Howarth, HM Waugh, Kathryn Lefroy, Alison Mutton and Ash Harrier.

“This is the second year I’ve delivered the Book Builders Challenge in schools, and the books this year are stunning,” Brown shares.

“There is so much heart, care and soul in every one of these books, from the creative covers and imaginative adventures to heartfelt dedications and hilarious blurbs.”

Through stories, children are introduced to new vocabulary, different perspectives, and important life lessons, however the most powerful part of the Book Builders Challenge, according to Brown, is when students see their books printed and on display.

“They realise their voice matters, and that they can produce books that they can share with the world,” she says.

“They hadn’t realised how easy it was to make a book and how easy it was to be an author.” 

Designed to align with the WA curriculum across English, Arts, and Technologies, students explored every step of the creative process.

From brainstorming ideas, word building and drafting stories, to illustrating, editing and designing their books, students worked through each stage with professional guidance.

Some of Western Australia’s most celebrated authors and illustrators, including graphic novelist Kylie Howarth, pictured above, presented a total of 20 hours of workshops for students.

They also learned how to write blurbs and author bios, budget for printing and promote their work, before submitting their stories to a judging panel of publishing industry professionals, giving them a real-world understanding of how books are made and shared.

After months of work, more than 300 completed books were proudly launched across four community events.

More than 800 parents, teachers and community members attended the book launches, held at the Town of Victoria Park Library and the South Perth Community Hall. 

The judging panel included the likes of Nat Amoore, James Foley, RJ Timmis, and Alex Allan, CEO of Fremantle Press. Winners and runners-up were announced at the launch events.

Students’ books were professionally printed and sold on the day, with all proceeds donated to each school’s Parents and Citizens Association.

Ninety-four percent of students involved in the Challenge completed a first draft, with one school achieving full participation.

Feedback was overwhelmingly positive, with 82 percent of students saying they enjoyed the program, and 85 percent reporting they learned a lot about publishing.

Principal of Manning Primary School, Hayden O’Mara, who’s students participated in the Challenge, said it had been an “extraordinary opportunity” for his students.

Authors and illustrators, including from left, Kristy Nita Brown, Gabriel Evans and HM Waugh, have helped students explore every step of the creative process. 

He said working with real authors and illustrators had sparked a genuine love for storytelling in his students.

“At Manning, we are always looking for ways to make learning meaningful, and this program has done exactly that,” O’Mara said.

“Students are writing for an audience, with purpose and passion. Seeing the pride on their faces as their ideas come to life has been a real highlight of the year.”

Brown, who has also worked variously across film, music and education at different times across her career, says the authors’ and illustrators’ involvement had been key to the project’s success.

“Authors and illustrators often visit schools and libraries as part of their role, presenting their work and engaging with students. I attend their workshops to observe and identify those who are especially skilled at connecting with kids.

“I then hire those presenters and ask them to help deliver my program, with a stronger focus on writing, illustrating, editing, and empowering students to produce their own books.”

She says each bring a depth of expertise and creativity that enriches the program.

“For example, Kylie Howarth is about to release her third graphic novel.

“While my background is in writing chapter books, so I focus on story structure and narrative development, Kylie brings a whole other dimension – she shows students how graphic novels are constructed, and how storytelling works through panels, visuals, and pacing.

“It’s a completely different skill set, and seeing that contrast helps students understand the breadth of what’s possible in storytelling.”

The impact of the program is undeniable. Ninety-four percent of students completed a first draft, with one school achieving full participation. 

Brown says she tries to work with authors and illustrators at the top of their game, releasing new books and with established names in the industry.

“Teachers are always excited to welcome our authors and illustrators into the classroom, and principals see it as both a valuable learning experience and a great media opportunity for their schools. The students are also blown away to meet real authors and illustrators!”

Following the success of the 2024 pilot and the expanded 2025 program, Brown hopes to see the Challenge continue to grow and possibly be available in schools on the eastern seaboard.

“I’m also looking at combining with city councils to do a youth writing award. I'd also like to develop a resource for youth… I imagine a funky product about setting up student-led publishing houses in schools,” she says.

“In the future, I'd also love to see Book Builders Challenge have an online component, so it can reach more students.”

The 2025 Book Builders Challenge and launch events were made possible through the support of the Department of Creative Industries, Tourism and Sport via the Creativity for Schools Grant, a City of South Perth Community Development Grant, and generous contributions from Acton Belle, Crow Books, Fremantle Press, Hawaiian, The Literature Centre, Officeworks, Geoff Baker MLA, and the Hon Hannah Beazley MLA.

To find out more or register a student, teacher, principal or school for future programs, visit www.kristynitabrown.com.au and click on the Book Builders Challenge tab.