As we approach the end of our 2025 sessions, I’d like to take a moment to thank everyone who joined the Exploring Writing Children’s Books group this year. It’s been a joy to share this creative space with you, and I hope the sessions have sparked ideas, built confidence, and helped move your projects forward.

Our final gathering will take place on Friday 4 July from 2 to 4pm. I’ll be in the group room during that session and available if you’d like any support or feedback on your work.

Wishing you all the best with your writing journeys — may your stories find their way into the hands and hearts of young readers everywhere.

Warm regards,

​
Peter Thompson,
​Group Facilitator

The May session of the Children’s Book Group took place with a notably low turnout, as several members were unable to attend due to various circumstances. Nevertheless, those present engaged in a meaningful and productive discussion, bringing the formal instructional phase of the program to a close.

Activities

This session focused on page layout design tailored to different age groups—0–5, 5–7, and 7–9 years—examining how aesthetic choices such as image placement, text flow, and visual rhythm contribute to the reading experience.

Participants also shared updates on their individual projects, discussing the progress made and the creative decisions shaping their stories.

Looking Ahead

With this session marking the end of the instructional series, group members now have a complete set of tools and insights to continue developing and completing their children’s book projects.
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For those seeking continued guidance or community connection, I will be available at the Community Centre for monthly group sessions. These optional gatherings will provide a supportive space for feedback, inspiration, and encouragement as each writer’s journey. unfolds.


Peter Thompson 

The April session of the Children’s Book Group saw a quieter turnout, with several members unable to attend due to various commitments. Despite the smaller group, the session remained focused and informative, continuing the journey of understanding how to craft compelling stories for young readers.
 
Activities

This month’s discussion centred around understanding how writing style and language differ across key age groups: 0–5, 5–7, and 7–9 years. The group explored how vocabulary, sentence structure, and tone shift to suit the developmental stages of children in each bracket.

In addition, participants examined how illustration styles vary for each age group, considering visual complexity, colour palettes, and character design suited to different reading levels.

​The session also included an analysis of current children’s books on the market, highlighting popular trends, bestselling genres, and influential authors across the various age categories.
 
Looking Ahead

The upcoming session will focus on page layouts and styles of book presentation, giving members insight into how visual storytelling complements written content. Importantly, group members will also have the opportunity to present their individual projects, offering a chance to share progress, receive feedback, and celebrate each other’s creativity.


Peter Thompson

The March gathering of the Children’s Book Group was a productive and inspiring session. Members came prepared, having completed their homework, which included outlines, storyboards, and character profiles. As these were presented to the group, some truly fascinating projects began to take shape, showcasing a diverse range of ideas and storytelling styles.

Activities

This session delved deeper into the fundamentals of story themes, genres, and the art of story-building. Discussions explored how different elements come together to create engaging narratives. A group exercise brought to life a series of projected image scenarios, including a curious elephant, a clumsy monkey, and a little girl taking a walk with her kitten. These imaginative concepts evolved into a collaborative story, demonstrating the power of shared creativity.

Peter Thompson

​The U3A Writing Children's Books group gathered on Friday, the 7th February, to begin an exciting new year of creativity and storytelling. The key focus of the session was the sharing of ideas for each member's individual project. This open discussion provided an opportunity for valuable feedback, fresh inspiration, and encouragement as members developed their unique story concepts.

In addition to idea sharing, the session covered essential storytelling techniques. Participants engaged in brainstorming exercises to generate compelling story ideas and explored the fundamentals of character development. A key part of this discussion was character profile writing, which helps bring depth and personality to fictional characters.

The group also examined story development techniques and discussed how storyboards can be a useful tool in structuring and planning narratives. Each member was provided with practical tools and strategies to help organise and refine their story ideas.

For this month's project, participants will focus on developing a detailed character profile and completing a storyboard to map out their story structure. These exercises will help bring their ideas to life and set a strong foundation for writing.

Looking ahead, the next session will explore the process of generating book illustrations, adding a visual dimension to these exciting new stories.

Peter Thompson

The Collaborative Children's Book Group is a 10-session program designed to bring together novice authors and illustrators to create and develop children's books. Each session is 2 hours long, featuring a mix of activities, discussions and presentations.

Convenor - Peter Thompson 0424 203 119​
Time and Place - 1st Friday from 2 to 4 pm in U3A Meeting Room 1