Book Week at Prep

At Knox Preparatory School, we celebrated in a variety of ways:

K-6 Book Character Parade

From whimsical storybook heroes to adventurous literary figures, each costume brought a tale to life. The effort shown by the boys was truly phenomenal, making the parade a highlight of our Book Week celebrations.

Author Visits

Our Prep boys were thoroughly entertained by our visiting authors and illustrators: Nathaniel Eckstrom, Katrina Nannestad, and Deborah Abela.

Nathaniel Eckstrom

Our Kindergarten, Year 1, and Year 2 boys had the wonderful opportunity to meet illustrator Nathaniel Eckstrom. Nathaniel has illustrated more than 30 children’s books, and we were privileged to hear him speak about his work, his creative journey, and what inspires him.

The boys were treated to a hands-on masterclass in illustration, as Nathaniel demonstrated how he still starts his characters with simple shapes like circles. He also gave a reading from a selection of his books. In ‘The Hole Idea’, he revealed visual clues he hides in his illustrations to hint at what’s to come in the story.

Katrina Nannestad

Award-winning author Katrina encouraged boys who were not avid readers to keep exploring options in the library, whether it be a novel or graphic novel, as she feels that when people are not readers, it is because they have not yet found the right book.

She shared her passion for history with the Year 5 and 6 boys. She explained that she begins by researching a historical event, a process that often takes months. Once her characters are developed, she continues to research the event from their perspective. Katrina told the boys that she believes history teaches us about ourselves and one another, and that it reveals connections across different times.

Katrina’s visit was both entertaining and informative, with many students asking thoughtful and insightful questions.

Deborah Abela

Award-winning author Deborah Abela has written popular titles such as Teresa: A New Australian and The Book of Kindness. Her interactive and fast-paced presentation to Years 3-6 captivated both students and teachers. Deborah’s sessions began with a game called ‘I Wonder If?’, which is also how she often begins her writing process. She then explained to the boys why problems make stories exciting.

When writing, Deborah encouraged the boys to think about what their character wants and reminded them that it is the author’s job to make it difficult for the character to achieve it. She explained that this strategy makes the story engaging for both the writer and the reader. Deborah also shared the value of using visual stimuli to develop ideas and storylines. Her final piece of advice was that the boys are in control of their writing, with the only limit being their imagination.

K-6 Literary Day

Our annual K-6 Literary Day proved to be a resounding success, capturing the enthusiasm of our Prep boys as they explored a vibrant bookshop filled with stories of every kind. Many boys left holding their chosen treasures, delighted that they found the perfect book.

The Knox community donated funds to our Giving Tree to support St Lucy’s new Library. Thanks to all who donated for your kindness and generosity.

Knox Prep Library Prize

Congratulations to the students who received the Knox Prep Library Prize for 2025. This prize was based on student borrowing, contribution to class discussions, and research tasks that support our Knoxigation Inquiry units.

Classroom Doors

Book Week came to life with teacher’s classroom and office doors transformed into colourful celebrations of stories.