"Down by the river" Workshops

Rivers in current picture books from around the world

All over the world, rivers shape the landscape they cross. From their source to their mouth, the Amazon, Danube, Mekong, Mississippi, Murray and Nile structure continents, mark borders between countries, feature in many myths and legends, and serve as a metaphor for the course of life. Animals and plants make their home along and in rivers. People bathe and swim in them, camp on their banks, go on boat trips, fish and listen to their sound. They live with the river and in turn shape it: the river becomes a transport route, a way to school, a place for floating markets, and its water power makes it a source of energy. In return, humans dam the river, straighten it, build over it, pollute it and threaten the natural balance of the river and its inhabitants.

The exhibition shows the great diversity of the topic “river” through illustrations from current international picture book production. It ranges from topographical and natural history depictions that trace specific courses of rivers and their flora and fauna, to illustrations that show the river as a magnificent natural experience or deal with environmental aspects and the use of the river by humans, to the river as a symbol of the journey of life.

Here you can find more information on the exhibition. 

Overview of workshops for school classes and groups: 

• Creative Workshop: “What's hidden beneath the surface” / Grade 1 - 4

• Sound Workshop: “The World of River Sounds” / Grade 1-4

  Our workshops are usually held in German. If you wish to book a workshop in English, please contact us: 
  Verena Wössner, programm@ijb.de

   

Creative workshop
What's hidden beneath the surface?

Led by: Monika Gollasch, graphic designer and illustrator
Grade 1 to 4

What life exists in the river? Who or what hides in its depths? The river is a source of sustenance, a means of transport and a recreational area for living creatures and humans alike. With the help of the exhibition and books such as ‘Die unsichtbaren Welten mikroskopisch kleiner Tiere’ (The invisible worlds of microscopic animals) (Hélène Rajcak, Damien Laverdunt) or ‘Donau ein magischer Fluss’ (The Danube, a magical river) by Michal Hvorecký, the children explore life on, in and around the river. Inspired by this, they create their own river artworks, which also allow them to take a look underwater. 

Sound Workshop
The World of River Sounds!

Led by: Isabelle Auerbach, radio editor
Grade 1 to 4

What do sleeping mats and shoe brushes have to do with water? Or umbrellas with birds? Here, the children turn into sound makers themselves and transform the picture book stories into rhythmic audio pieces using everyday objects and percussion instruments. Sounds are conjured up to make the illustrations sound funnier, crazier and more sensual.

This workshop can only be booked between 23 February and 23 April and from 12 July onwards. 

Information and booking:

Length: ca. 2,5 h
Costs: 4€ per child (minimum 80 Euro)
Booking: (089) 8912110 oder empfang@ijb.de
Our workshops are usually held in German. If you wish to book a workshop in English, please contact us.

Please book workshops at least six working days before the workshop begins. Cancellation is free of charge up to three working days before the workshop begins. After that, a flat fee of the above-mentioned minimum amount will be charged.