Ideas for Illustrated Stories

• This project could work well in an arts and literacy program.
• Or it could be a project option for those in the literacy group with an interest in art or for those with weaker literacy skills.
• Determine if several people in the group are interested in illustrating stories. Group members could work on their illustrated stories individually, in pairs or in a small group.
• Match people who are stronger writers with those who aren’t as strong but are interested in art.
• Each group chooses a recorded story to listen to. One or more members of the team write up the story. Others create drawings or paintings that go along with the story.
• When listening to the recorded story, make a note of unfamiliar vocabulary, record traditional words with their meanings and try to use them when you write up the story. You can write your own version of the story, rather than using the exact words of the storyteller.
• Invite someone to your literacy group to talk about the art of illustrating.
• The writer and the illustrator work together to create text that goes with a drawing or painting. In this way, the artist will receive support from the writer in reading the text and making sure the illustration matches it.
• The facilitator teaches mini-lessons on the writing process, syllabic keyboarding, grammar and any other topics as they come up.
• When you are ready to do the final draft, the writer can type the text on the computer. The writer and illustrator could create a book with text on one page and an illustration on the facing page. Or the story and art could be placed together on the same page.
• Create a cover page; table of contents; pages acknowledging the storyteller, writer and illustrator; a dedication page if you want; and insert page numbers.
• Create a kit that includes the illustrated book and a copy of the recorded story. You might like to record a copy of your version of the story, as well as the original storyteller’s version. Readers will be able to follow your written story while listening to the recording of the same story. This kit can be used for listening and reading material for your literacy group, as well as future literacy groups. (See Talking Books in the Oral Projects section.)

Examples of Illustrated Stories

The Shaman’s Nephew by Simon Tookoome and Sheldon Oberman, artwork by Simon Toodoome. Published by Stoddart Kids, 1999, ISBN: 0-7737-6189-6

Qikaaluktut, Images of Inuit Life by Ruth Annaqtuusi Tulurialik and David Pelly, artwork by Ruth Annaqtuusi Tulurialik. Published by Oxford University Press, 1986, ISBN:0-1954-0505-6

Arctic Memories by Normee Ekoomiak, published by New Canada Publications, Toronto, 1988

Pitseolak: Pictures Out of My Life, edited from tape-recorded interviews by Dorothy Eber. Published by Design Collaborative Books, Montreal, 1971, ISBN: 019-540191-3

Urajuq – The Origin of Death, edited by Kim Crockatt and David Pelly, illustrated by Elsie Klengenberg. Published by the Kitikmeot Heritage Society, 1999, ISBN: 0-9690783-8-2