Illustrator Debi Gliori finds treasure in pupils’ artistic take on The Crocodiamond

A series of workshops led by Scottish author and illustrator Debi Gliori have enabled children from Sandaig Primary School in Barlanark, Glasgow, to show their artistic creativity across a weekend of concert performances.

As part of our Booked! programme, supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery and in partnership with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, forty four P6 pupils from the school have produced visuals reacting to the music and narrative of composer Jonathan Dove’s The Crocodiamond, adapted from a story by celebrated children’s author Anthony Horowitz.

These artworks will be projected throughout the Scottish Chamber Orchestra’s Family Concerts in Edinburgh and Glasgow this coming weekend (Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 February). The children involved and their families have been invited to attend the show in Glasgow’s City Halls, giving them an opportunity to see their work displayed and enjoyed throughout a live orchestral performance.

Debi Gliori, who was Illustrator in Residence at the 2015 Book Festival, worked with the children of Sandaig Primary for six weeks at the end of last year. In these workshops she introduced techniques and methods for visualising The Crocodiamond, encouraging the kids to experiment with charcoal, tissue paper, cut-up newspaper and even cupcake cases, while musicians played key sections of the score.

The fantastic creative output of the pupils will be a key feature in the Scottish Chamber Orchestra’s performance. Writing about her time with the children, Debi said: ‘I had no idea what their capabilities were. I assumed they’d be able to do it, and they did. I think my blind faith carried us some distance, but it was the enthusiasm and energy of the children that made the day. Well done P6: it was a privilege to work alongside you.’ Read more about Debi’s experience working with the children in a guest post produced for our Learning Blog.

The Crocodiamond will also feature in Charlotte Square Gardens at the 2016 Edinburgh International Book Festival in August, as the centrepiece in a series of events for families and schools. Debi will be joined by some of the Scottish Chamber Orchestra musicians to host an interactive art and music event at Glasgow’s Wee Write festival too, on Saturday 5 March.

Ticket details and bookings for the concerts at Edinburgh’s Assembly Rooms on Saturday 13 February (12.00 and 14.30) and at Glasgow’s City Halls on Sunday 14 February (14.00) can be found on the Scottish Chamber Orchestra’s website. Tickets for Debi’s event at Wee Write are available via Aye Write’s website.

The Crocodiamond project, created in partnership with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, is part of our Booked! programme, supported by players of People’s Postcode Lottery. Booked! is the Edinburgh International Book Festival on the road around Scotland, throughout the year. A celebration of words and ideas, Booked! blends the very best from groups and organisations across the country with the energy and excitement of the August Book Festival. Produced in collaboration with a variety of partners, this wide-ranging programme of events and activities brings authors, artists and audiences together to inspire each other and to be inspired, to share stories and experiences, and bring books to life for people of all ages in their own communities.