When kids turn a library into a magical, hopeful space

Seeing a full library is still a sign of hope.

If the majority of those present are children, things are looking up. One can imagine that the future is not lost…

It is true that, later, when it collides with reality, the omen tends to fade, but if that moment is protected, so that it is not just a fleeting moment, perhaps we can continue to think positively.

All this comes from the fact that Jó Rivadulla offered a book illustration workshop at the location that Yenny recently opened in Bariloche, located at San Martín 189.

Read also: Great option for a vacation in Bariloche: free workshop to create picture books

Although the writer and illustrator specializes in works aimed at children, the invitation was not limited to a certain age. This meant that adults could also be part of the game, and many were, but it was clear that children were the dominant ones.

The activity consisted of Joe reading a text from his book. what happened last nightBut without showing the audience the pictures. Then, page after page, and in the time specified by the hourglass, the audience summarized, in small models given to them by the author, what the words had made them imagine.

In this way, everyone took home their own illustrated works.

It is worth noting that while reading, Joe gave them advice, for example, on issues related to composition (how to distribute the drawings on the page), changes in the size of the illustrations (so that they are “graceful” to the eye), differences in backgrounds (light and dark settings), where to place the horizon line… In short, he tried to find a balance that would make the book visually attractive.

Fun fun at the bookstore.

“It felt amazing,” Joe said, admitting, “I didn’t expect this many people.”

“I had prepared some blank books for them to draw in, and I thought I had plenty of them, but unfortunately I couldn't, and had to give some of them loose sheets,” he said.

“I was amazed, beyond the number of children, by the enthusiasm they showed in the activities,” he said.

“It was a workshop designed for all ages, so I imagined that maybe the little ones would draw a few and then maybe get bored and move on to something else, but everyone was so excited and everyone ended up drawing their own full-length picture book… It was a great joy,” he said, and then wished: “I hope many authors come out of there!”