Students reimagine favourite books
(CNS Local Life): Almost 200 people attended the annual Storyboard Competition at the George Town Public Library on Saturday, 23 February, representing a record audience for the event. The competition gives Cayman’s young readers a chance to show off their creativity by sharing their favourite books through a storyboard display.
Visitors were treated to 55 storyboards created by 85 students from six public and private schools. This initiative was spearheaded by Cayman Islands Information Professionals (CIIP) and sponsored by the Cayman Islands Public Library Service and Rotary Sunrise.
Featuring books from Dr Seuss and Lemony Snicket to Roald Dahl and Stephen King, the exhibits impressed the 14 judges with their quality and attention to detail, said a Ministry of Education press release.
The storyboards were judged on guidelines that included plot summary, issues of conflict, the author’s purpose, tone and mood and how that information was expressed in terms of clarity, creativity, thoroughness, interest invoked and quality.
The final element of the competition required the participants to answer questions and talk about their book without the use of the storyboard, as well as answer questions about the elements included in the storyboard and how they related to the chosen book.
“I am very impressed by the storyboards that were created by these students, and the enthusiasm shown for the chosen literary works,” said Cetonya Cacho, Acting Chief Officer in the Ministry of Education. “Events like these allow our children to develop their language skills, learn to express themselves and use their imaginations, and I thank CIIP, the Public Library Service and Rotary Sunrise for giving them this opportunity.”
Paul Robinson, CIIP chairman and Acting Director of the Public Library Service, added, “Once again, these students have blown us away with the quality of their work and their creativity. All of them are winners in our eyes because they read a book and that means their worldview was expanded; their vocabulary and writing was improved; and their knowledge base was broadened. As promoters of literacy, we couldn’t ask for anything more.
“Thank you to the parents, friends and other supporters who came out to show their appreciation for these students’ efforts and congratulations to all the exhibitors.”
Winners, listed below, were chosen in six age divisions ranging from 5 to 18 years old and awarded various prizes.
- Division A (individual 5-8 years old) – Tilly Tammemagi – E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial by Melissa Mathison (screenplay)
- Division B (individual 9-12 years old) – Rachel Balls – I Survived The Eruption of Mount St. Helens 1980 by Lauren Tarshis
- Division C (individual 13-18 years old) – Alexander Rhule – Hatchet by Gary Paulsen
- Division D (small group 5-8 years old) – Aaron, Noah & Amaya Rajamohan – The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss
- Division E (small group 9-12 years old) – Camille Allard, Imogen Howe & Renee Wambugu – Matilda by Roald Dahl
- Division F (small group 13-18 years old) – Justine Rhule, Sarah Harrison & Xoe Bullings – IT by Stephen King
The winning storyboards will be displayed at Books and Books in Camana Bay.
See more photos from the Storyboard Competition below, supplied by the Ministry of Education (click to enlarge).
