CBCA Younger Readers’ Book adaptation for Book Week & Literacy Week

"As a high trauma school it benefited the students to reflect on how their experiences are not there’s alone and how they can recieve support from others around them." - Two Wells PS, SA

"[Students were] enthralled by the production techniques- masks, change of character, puppets, backdrop" - Bairnsdale West PS, VIC

"Handled the tough content with sensitivity. Highlighted the important relationships well. It’s the first time we have had the younger readers text... we will definitely be having it again." - Richard Johnson Anglican College, Oakhurst NSW

"It was a very good adaptation of the story and the children really enjoy it and were engaged in the performance. The show was amazing the different characters and the roles they played were amazing. The messages they sent out to the kids as well were beautiful." - Bairnsdale West Primary School , VIC

"I think this will generate a lot of discussion in the classroom. It managed to use all the important parts of the story Costumes were easy to see different characters." - Balaklava Primary School , SA

"Really enjoyable and professional show. Loved the way the stage was set out, allowing the audience to be fully immersed. ...the content of the show allowed full understanding of the text to come through." - St Joseph's Catholic School, Cairns QLD

"[Students] were engaged with the storyline and are inspired to go and read the story" - Alphington Primary School, VIC

"At the moment in writing we are focusing on imaginative writing. It was super beneficial for the students on how to craft ideas and how to be creative." - Moree PS, NSW

"Students saw how expression can be used to make to make the performance engaging. This can be transferred back to their reading. The performers did a wonderful job of portraying a range of characters to make the performance engaging and easy to follow." - Elderslie PS, NSW

“…meaningful and important.” – St Joseph’s, Parramatta Park QLD

“Discussing depression and other mental health issues is extremely important for students this age… raised important issues in a respectful manner.” – Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, Darra QLD

“Characterisation was great, direction spot on, energy of performing was fabulous. Great emotions.” – Guardian Angels, Wynnum QLD

“The messages in the story were great. The puppet characters were good.” – Holy Cross School, Cairns QLD

“The performers were very talented. I enjoyed the inclusion of song and humor. It highlighted how stories can be brought to life through drama and music. It also involved the inclusion of the students.” – St Joseph’s PS, Cairns QLD

“The performance was suited for the older students. The serious issues were made comical at times but the message still came across.” – St. Mary's Catholic Primary School, Rockhampton QLD

“You were able to tell the story exceptionally well.” – St Joseph’s, Cairns QLD

“It was funny, engaging, dramatic, great props, clever!” – Harrison School, Harrison ACT

“Excellent (10/10)” – Dayboro State School, Dayboro QLD

“Loved the characters and themes explored.” - Summerland Christian College, Goonellabah NSW

“It hit many themes which allowed the students to identify these easily.” – Our Lady Queen of the Peace, Greystanes NSW

“Beautifully presented. Drama was wonderfully acted.” – St Peter’s, Clayton VIC

“Relevant to our students.” – Harris Fields, Woodridge QLD

“…very powerful and opened many doors for discussion.” – St Kilda Park Primary School, VIC

“sensitively handled.” – St James, Vermont VIC

“Great use of the space, humour and dialogue. It told the story in a thoughtful and inclusive way.” – Harrison School, ACT

“Characters were beautifully presented.” – Queenwood School For Girls, NSW

“Fantastic.” - Good Shepherd Lutheran College, Noosaville, QLD

“Interactive and engaging.” - Echuca East Primary School, VIC

“Great show, very funny. Great adaptation of the book.” - Good Shepherd Lutheran Primary School, Croydon Hills, VIC

"The whole show was amazing and too short... the show could be improved by a bigger audience. Everybody who reads the book must look at the show. It's so cool. I really enjoyed it."
"I thought the comedy was on point. Their acting was outstanding, amazing voices and talent."
"My favourite part of the incredible show is the puppets...The show can be improved by NOTHING because it was perfect."
Student feedback

"The movement throughout the room was incredible. Every student had their attention fixed the entire time. The Q&A session where the kids got to ask questions was excellent. I liked pulling out some of the positive themes of friendship, etc."
St Michaels PS, North Melbourne, VIC

"Just a quick thank you for a wonderful performance of Run, Pip, Run yesterday. Debbie and Luke were terrific and the kids were so engaged and asked a heap of questions. Well done!"
J.C. Jones, Author of Run, Pip, Run

"It was tremendously well done and how you got so much detail into 45 minutes is just amazing. The two musical pieces were a terrific addition."
Allen & Unwin, Publisher of Run, Pip, Run

"The puppetry was excellent. Clever use of space. Great interaction with the audience and getting them involved."
Morang South PS, VIC

"Audience were very engaged. Actors very professional and entertaining. Faces of children said it all.
Siena PS, Sippy Downs, QLD

"I liked how you had different focus areas so the children were looking in all directions."
Al Sadiq College, Greenacre, NSW

“Outstanding.”
Goulburn Valley Grammar School, Shepparton VIC

“I could not have hoped for a better adaptation of my book. I’ve had several plays produced and another of my books adapted for stage, but none have come anywhere near the high standard I witnessed today. I think it was far more entertaining than many plays I’ve seen at city venues. I’m not saying that just because it was based on my book, but because of the acting, direction - the whole package.”
Bill Condon, author of The Simple Things

"One of the best performances they have seen."
Kyneton PS, VIC

"Wonderful, thoughtful, engaging and stimulating visual performance that did not shy away from the sensitive issues in the text but balanced the performance (in common with the style of the book) with alternating sad, bitter sweet moments and hilarity."
Wattle Park Primary School, VIC

"I really appreciated the discussion and questioning at the end of the show. It was aimed at high-order and inferential thinking. This was also well modelled for teachers."
Camelot Rise PS, Glen Waverley VIC

"A very original and entertaining performance. All kids were fully engaged throughout the entire performance. We all thought it was a very unique and highly engaging way to tell a story with a message! Well done!"
Woodport Public School, Erina NSW

"I've read the story aloud many times and you both did justice to the 12 characters and all of their characteristics. Our students loved the sets and props and talked about the puppets after the show. Thanks for a great Book Week experience."
St Monica's Primary School, Evatt, ACT

“Primary students watched amazing drama on the Book Week story, “Bungawitta”, set in outback Australia. This story showed how kids can achieve so much.”
Forster Primary School, Forster, NSW

“My children were inspired to create their own plays.”
Camberwell South PS, Camberwell, VIC

“A genuine career highlight... watching it made me a bit teary.”
Meg McKinlay, Author “Duck for a Day”

“Fabulous performance! The students loved the characters, the puppetry and the songs! Mrs Melvino was outrageous.”
St Patrick's PS, North Parramatta, NSW

"What a fantastic storyline to explore with the children. It really touched in on social and emotional learning and different issues facing many children today. A great story to explore further with our students."
St MacArtans Primary School, Mornington. VIC

"The play related really well to issues and concerns that children in Yrs 5 & 6 deal with. It was good for the children to see how a problem that the character faced could be resolved, i.e., demonstrating conflict resolution skills (integrating well with curriculum/programs taught in class)...Very appropriate for the age group as they children were very engaged and attentive...Great performance! Well done."
Holy Spirit Primary School, Carnes Hill, NSW

"The show tied in perfectly with our Australian History Integrated Unit and there was plenty of discussion afterwards about swaggies and the colloquial language of the day. Many thanks for a fantastic show."
The Patch Primary School, The Patch, VIC

"Great show! Even though I have read the book I couldn't tell where events had been left out. The action and flow were seamless from one story section to the next!"
Nulkaba Public School, Nulkaba, NSW

"I liked that it was true to the story and used many of the same words and Odo Hirsch's style."
Trinity Catholic Primary School, Kemps Creek, NSW

“Amelia Dee was a really enjoyable play to watch. We liked the relationship between Amelia and the best friend Eugenie.”
St MacArtan’s Primary School, Mornington, VIC

“The College appreciated your sensitivity to the Christian school ethos in the presentation and follow-up discussion.”
Flinders Christian College, Tyabb, VIC

“Very enjoyable. Very good performance. Professionally presented and pertinent to certain students living/family situations. The number of tears in the audience was an indication of how well the story touched the students. Students were very engaged... All comments from the children were positive. Students were excited by the characters and were keen to discuss the relationships acted out between each character.”
Flemington Primary School, VIC

"It was great to observe a creative way of approaching literacy using drama."
Glen Eira Secondary College, VIC

"Advantage of this group is that they are educators and connected at kids’ level." Montrose Primary School, VIC

"The grade 5/6's are planning to read "Captain Mack" as a class serial. They were very inspired."
Wattle Park PS, VIC

"Students and teachers thoroughly enjoyed the performance. Our students have not had much exposure to drama / live performances, so they were really captivated by the acting and singing."
Simonds Catholic College, West Melbourne, VIC

"Lots of humour which engaged the children… Great themes about community… An engaging, vibrant production.”
The Peninsula School, VIC

“Excellent production. It was great to see how closely you stuck to the story text, but at the same time bought an extra dimension to it! Good choice of material – backyard pet theme children can relate to... Inspiration for drama in class.”
Narre Warren North Primary School, VIC

"We've looked through the teacher's notes and have some great ideas for follow-ups." Yea Primary School, VIC

"First class dramatisation of an excellent story - students were still singing the song and laughing over incidents next week in the library. I thought the play was terrific! Very thought provoking and wonderfully performed."
Christian College Middle School, VIC

"Best performance ever! I've been a teacher for over 20 years and witnessed many performances, but this production was simply the best - totally professional, true to the book, thought provoking, everything."
Narre Warren North Primary School, VIC

"After the performance we talked about this in class. From what the boys said, I could tell they thoroughly enjoyed the play and freely talked about war, it's affects and what life was like in Melbourne in the 1920's. It also motivated some boys to buy the book at the "Book Fair" and read it!"
Scotch College Junior School, VIC

"Very well performed. The material was very relevant to the students. A measure of its success was the fact that almost all the boys were riveted to the performance. Several teachers commented on how attentive the students were, especially the boys…I was very impressed with your professionalism and your handling of questions from the audience. I haven't seen as many of our students willing to ask questions of visitors as they did after this performance."
Nhill College, VIC

"Very funny and entertaining... A brilliant performance. The children were captivated by your humour and talent. It certainly inspired the children to read the story"
Maranatha Christian College, VIC

"It was a huge step for that child to admit that he also couldn't read, just like the character in the play. Obviously the theme of illiteracy and bravery struck a particular chord with him"
Toorak Library, VIC

"Excellent performance!"
Newcombe Library, VIC

"Amazing reaction by the students and fabulous interpretation of a meaningful book. Everyone loved it."
Cranbourne Christian College, VIC