I don’t know about you, but these cold winter months always make me want to head for the nearest couch with a cup of tea and a book, losing myself somewhere warmer and more exciting.

If that’s not an option, and you have to go to work (or school) then surely the next best thing is to brighten up the drudgery of winter by creating something special and a little bit unusual. An artist in residence can be a great way to extend lessons beyond the classroom, and offer students that chance to work with a writer or illustrator over the course of a week to actually create something for the whole school to enjoy.

Recently illustrator Kevin Burgemeestre was invited to participate in a project just like this. Over the course of four and a half days Kevin worked with students to transform their work on iconic Australian author Miles Franklin into a permanent piece of artwork to be displayed on a new school building.

Staff and students give great feedback from these projects because the rewards are so long lasting, and from the wintery Booked Out office, we love seeing the pictures of the end result!