How do we encourage students to pick up a book in a world increasingly dominated by screens?
That question inspired me to introduce the Bookface Challenge with my Year 8 English class – a creative photography activity that transforms book covers into imaginative visual illusions by blending them seamlessly with the real world.
The challenge encouraged students to browse the library, discover new books and experiment with composition, perspective and storytelling. As they searched for the perfect cover, they were also exploring genres, authors and characters, making reading an active, social and creative experience.
One of the most rewarding aspects of the project was seeing the library come alive with curiosity, laughter and collaboration. Students weren’t simply selecting books—they were engaging with them, discussing them and bringing them to life through creativity.
The accompanying article shares the purpose behind the Bookface Challenge, practical classroom guidance, step-by-step instructions and examples of student work, demonstrating how simple creative activities can help foster a culture of reading while developing visual literacy, collaboration and curiosity.
By reimagining how students interact with books, we can create memorable experiences that remind them reading is not only educational – it can also be playful, imaginative and fun.
View the full article on the Patana News here.
