Literacy and Technology Challenge New England Region National National Literacy and Numeracy Week 20

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Literacy and Technology ChallengeNew England
Region National National Literacy and Numeracy
Week 2004

• Stage 3/4 Challenge
• Colin ThompsonThe Violin Man

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Your Challenge
Colin Thompson is a very talented author, who has
written and illustrated many books. In The
Violin Man he has used computer programs to
assist with the illustration process. Your
challenge will be to decide whether this is as
effective as his other illustration
techniques. You will have to find other picture
books by Colin Thompson to complete your research.
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Books by illustrated Colin Thompson

• Research other books illustrated by Colin
  Thompson by accessing his website at
  http//www.colinthompson.com/
• Findcopiesof some of these books and examine the
  style of illustration used.
• Use the Analysis Sheet to help you make decisions
  about the illustrations.

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The Violin Man
4. Read the Violin Man by Colin Thompson 5. Read
the reviews of the book at the following web
sites http//www.yara-online.org/2004/reviews_04
/violin_man.htm http//www.bendigo.latrobe.edu.a
u/conf/chlitc/Reviews/ViolinMan.htm
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Review and your opinion
One of the reviewers of The Violin Man stated
But just occasionally, it is almost a little too
much.  Unlike Graeme Bases books such as
Animalia or The Eleventh Hour, this story is not
a puzzle or a joke.  It is sad, lyrical and
haunting.  Yet on a few pages some of the mass of
details and computer tricks intrude on this mood
and jar against the tender emotion of Oscar and
Marietta. 
6. What is your opinion? Is there two much
detail? Does it distract from the story or
add to it?
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Computer graphics
7. On his website, read about how Colin Thompson
used a computer graphics program to illustrate
The Violin Man. 8. Write a letter to Colin
Thompson telling him your opinion of his new
illustration techniques. Would you like him to
continue using the computer as an aid or did you
prefer his illustration style before the computer
program?
Present your responses to these tasks in a power
point presentation and email to the appropriate
person for your area by 23 August 2004.