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THE SILVERBACK’S SONG

THE SILVERBACK’S SONG

IONA COLLEGE RELEASES NEW CHILDREN’S BOOK
– THE SILVERBACK’S SONG –

BY DANNIKA PATTERSON AND NICK KOHLER

“Our new one, our new one, our new one is here!”

Iona College is proud to announce our special new arrival.

In conjunction with the Iona Old Boys Association and Morningstar Books, we are pleased to introduce The Silverback’s Song – a beautifully crafted, hardcover picture book for children celebrating the Iona community.

Written by well-known Brisbane author and current Iona mum Dannika Patterson, and beautifully illustrated by Old Boy Nick Kohler, The Silverback’s Song follows the birth of a young gorilla named Imani (meaning ‘faith’) who is raised, nurtured and supported by a loving community.

Situated on a 69-acre campus at Lindum on Brisbane’s Bayside, Iona College is a Catholic school for boys in Years 5-12 ministered by the Oblates of Mary Immaculate. You can read more about Iona College by clicking here.

Iona College Principal Mr Trevor Goodwin said The Silverback’s Song was a unique initiative that celebrated the school’s strong connection to its community.

“On every level, the book is just amazing,” Mr Goodwin said.

“The fact that it has been created by two people so deeply connected to Iona – with Dannika being a current mum at the school, and Nick an Old Boy of the College – just makes it even more special.

“Both Dannika and Nick were able to draw on their own sense of belonging to the Iona community to create something that is beautifully moving.

“On its own, it is a wonderful book for children, and a fabulous example of the God-given creative and artistic talent that we produce in Brisbane and Queensland.

“But when you add in the special resonance for us as Ionians, and its celebration of our connectedness and sense of community, it really is a work of art. I cannot thank Dannika, Nick and everyone involved for bringing The Silverback’s Song to life.”

The gorilla has been Iona’s mascot for more than 30 years. Iona’s most senior Old Boys, who have marked 50 years or more since their graduation, are known as the Iona Silverbacks.

The Silverback’s Song was commissioned by the Iona Old Boys Association to share our story of what it means to be an Ionian – and to be a welcoming gift for the children and grandchildren of Old Boys when they are born into our community where they will be embraced and belong.

“The original idea was to create a book as a keepsake and momento for an Iona Old Boy when they welcomed a child into the world, as a reminder that are also being born into a loving Iona community that will support and embrace them,” Mr Goodwin said.

“But after Dannika and Nick began collaborating, it soon became apparent that this was something very special that needed to be shared with everyone.”

Ms Patterson, the celebrated Brisbane author of Jacaranda Magic, and the upcoming Zoom to be released in September, said the project had been a joy to work on.

“When I was first approached by Iona about writing the book, I was immediately excited because it was a story that was created to celebrate wonderful themes like a child growing up in a loving and supportive community,” she said.

“I am incredibly proud of what we have created, and I have been jumping out of my skin to be able to share it with everyone, because the art that Nick has produced to help tell the story is just so beautiful.

“I must have seen these pictures a million times by now, but there are still pages that make me cry because the pictures grab your heart.

“As far as I am aware, this is the first time a school has produced a book like this. But while Iona may have been the first, I suspect they will not be the last. It is amazing.”

Incredibly, given his extensive background in art and graphic design, The Silverback’s Song is Mr Kohler’s first foray into book illustration.

A traditional artist in every sense, it was also his first time creating such significant artwork digitally.

“It really has been a labour of love,” Mr Kohler said. “As an Iona Old Boy, being asked to contribute to such an amazing project, and to work alongside Dannika and put pictures to her beautiful words, just meant so much to me.

“I think all Iona Old Boys share a deep affection and connection to the College, so to be able to celebrate that and help tell the story of that belonging was amazing.

“There is no doubt it was a challenge for both of us, because we wanted to make sure it was done right. With our own connection to Iona, we were able to do that.

“We could also introduce a few Easter eggs along the way, such as the butterflies throughout the book being in the colour of Iona’s 10 Houses for example, to give the readers a wonderful story to explore.”

The book is set in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where our Oblate Missionaries work to help the less fortunate, supported by the money raised by Iona on Oblate Mission Action Day.

A portion of proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated by Iona to the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, to support its mission to ‘help people and save gorillas’ in this region.

An official launch event for The Silverback’s Song will be held at the Iona Performing Arts Centre on Friday 9 August, before the book goes on sale to the public.

Pre-order your hardcover copy of The Silverback’s Song now at trybooking.com/CTXVJ