30.11.2015
New Christian Comic Series Opens World of Wunder for Kids
A whole new world of ‘wunder’ has been opened up for children with the launch of the Wunderland series of story trails on Advent Sunday. The stories are written by the Rector of Bray, the Revd Baden Stanley, and animated by artist Darren Nesbitt of Taney parish. The first edition, which focuses on Advent, was launched by Archbishop Michael Jackson yesterday, the first Sunday in Advent, in Christ Church Bray.
The Wunderland comics – spelt with a ‘u’ because the stories are for ‘you’ – are aimed primarily at children aged from eight to 12 years. They will be published monthly and the first edition is a bumper issue for Advent. The words and artwork combine to bring wonder and enchantment to children and help them engage with familiar Bible stories.
Launching Wunderland yesterday, Baden explained that the stories were born in the parish rectory over 16 years ago when he, during an illness, he started to come up with stories for his sons Jonathan and Luke which gave life to forgotten toys. Apart from the toys, the central character is Nicholas who walked the streets alone until God called him to a new mission.
“These stories have been birthed here in Bray, in the rectory,” he told parishioners yesterday. “You have walked these stories with us. This is where Wunderland began. God has put these stories in my heart to inspire children of all ages… These stories are for everyone and I hope you join us in their jou rney.”
Officially launching Wunderland, Archbishop said the spelling of the word with a ‘u’ brought about incorporation, inclusion and involvement. “Wunderland in many ways breaks fresh ground. At its heart there is the reality of what it is to be human and at its core is that God is is at the heart of humanity,” he stated.
The Archbishop preached at the Service of Holy Communion before the launch and his sermon can be read by CLICKING HERE.
Orders for the first issue can be placed by contacting the Revd Baden Stanley at wunderlandtrust@gmail.com or (087) 9484407. Subsequent issues will be available through the website www.wunderlandtrust.com. They will also be available through schools, churches and Sunday Clubs.
The high quality production will cost €5 per issue. Schools that become distribution centres get 10 percent discount.
Anyone who would like to support the project to bring wonder to a new generation can contribute to Wunderland’s GoFundMe campaign at www.gofundme.com/wunderlandtrust.
Keep up to date with all the Wunderland happenings at https://www.facebook.com/WunderlandTrust
Photo captions:
Top – The Revd Martin O’Connor, Archbishop Michael Jackson, Nicholas aka Micky Walker, Darren Nesbitt and the Revd Baden Stanley.
Bottom – Jonathon and Luke Stanley with Wunderland character Nicholas (Micky Walker).