Big Class
Just about a year ago, I was invited (via clubmumble) to contribute a drawing to an indie publishing project out of New Orleans called Big Class. The project involved a group of first graders from Lincoln Elemantary who had each written a short story. Each story was then sent out to various professional artists who created coloring book style illustrations, which were then collected into a book and sold to raise money for future projects. Always down for supporting an organization that’s getting kids excited about reading and writing their own books, I did my drawing last June, sent it off to the organizers and, honestly, had forgotten all about it.
Anyway, I was super stoked this morning to find a small brown paper package waiting in the mail box containing the finished Big Class no.2. Very nicely packaged, the box contains 5 mini coloring books (with art contributed by 45 different artists from across the country), an activity book and a set of crayons. The book box is currently being sold at a number of independent book and comic shops in Nola so, if you’re in the Big Easy, pick up a copy.
About Big Class:
Big Class is an organization that facilitates student-driven creative collaborations to enrich literacy in public schools. Our work so far has resulted in published books that feature the written work of students illustrated by adults. For those involved and their audience, this has had a unique impact along a cross-section of literacy, art, community, and education. When students experience literacy with its highest potential in mind – as a means of communication and expression – they find an inherent connection with its meaning and importance.