Children’s books should be ALL about the kids, After all they ARE “children’s books” after all – right?

Creators can get caught up with the perception that it’s “their” book but the simple fact remains – it is ALL about the kids. The child reader is the one we get to bless with our new books – or is it just the reader? Celia became a quadruple blessing with a bonuses as the book unfolded. Let me explain…

The many child stars of Celia

There are five-in-one girls in my new children’s book book Celia and Nonna. Firstly there is the Celia in the author, Victoria Lane. The story is very much part of the little girt in her and reflects a special relationship to her. But when I created the character Celia 4 other little girls became involved.

First, let me introduce my star, Miss Shelby, child #2…

Six year old Shelby was my adorable model for Celia. I needed a cooperative little girl for all the poses. In my mind the character Celia called for some tricky foreshortened poses within the page compositions. When I spotted Shelby on her mum’s Facebook page, I asked if I could visit and take photos and if she thought Shelby could pose. Could?…would?… Shelby was a dream to photograph! They say it is hard to work with kids and animals but Miss Shelby duplicated everything described. I would show her the dummy book thumbnails and demonstrated the pose and she mimicked it exactly. In 10 minutes we had ample posed photographs for the story. What a pro! Well done Miss Shelby – THANK YOU so much for being my Celia.

Child #3 who wanted to make picture books…

It was very easy to relate to Celia as she reminded me of the little girl I was. I love to make things for others. My mother encouraged us create our gifts – not buy them. I was taught the value of giving was not in what it costs but the heart’s intention. Nice one mum!

I identified created objects with items that would give others pleasure. I loved to wrap up little creations and pass them to friends and family. Navigating my world through my art and crafts was my way of making my world happier too and drawing was my favourite past time. When I felt unaccepted I found solace in drawing and paining as I could see improvement and words from others couldn’t take that away. Until I became a Christian that continued to be my comfort. It was pretty much the one thing I felt I could do well. I wanted to make children’s book back then but it wasn’t until 2009 I finally gave myself permission to take them plunge – and plunge I did!

My final 2 children, my two awesome artists, Nikkisha and Grace …

Two more children were invited on board when an idea to include a real child’s drawings in the spreads. It was a childhood dream to create picture books so I thought I’d make a little publishing dream come true for someone else. My AWESOME publisher at Ford Street was happy and let me go ahead. He was brilliant to work with! I put a call out for children to draw something Celia would draw for her Nonna and got 2 drawings in time to use. Nikkisha (age 5) drew  lovely bees and flowers in her grandmother’s garden. You can see Nikkisha and her grandmother. Grace (age 7) drew the park with a tree, a car tyre swing, a bird and bee. Both drawings are wonderful.

I duplicated them in the pastel style of the books with a little editing (words removed and alterations to Celia and Nonna) but they are still very close to the originals. I wanted the girls to see they were still their drawings. I love your drawings girls! This element in the book was a lot of fun for me as an illustrator but it isn’t easy to duplicate the gorgeous art of children. Thank you for your contribution Grace and Nikkisha!

The children’s involvement was a highlight of creating this picture book. Positioning my mind to always be relating to the child reader, I can imagine and feel the excitement for these girls – LOVE IT!

Open Dyslexic Font in Children’s books

To top it off my publisher agreed to let me use open Dyslexic font in the book. I had come across the font in LinkedIn on a discussion thread and was eager to adopt it. If by using this font more children would enjoy the experience of reading books I was on board. My publisher felt the same. I told you he was awesome.

I don’t have family with dyslexia but I have a heart for literacy for all so whatever works I want to  adopt were possible. I have had some discussion with parents and specialist teachers who have said it does help many children – whoo hoo!

After already adopting the font I was told by a girl in her early twenties that she had only recently discovered she had dyslexia and had struggle for years to study as a result – how awful! Hopefully this is a small step to a better reading world in that area. Thanks again Ford Street!

Celia and Nonna is a significant and heart-warming picture book about the special bond between children and grandparents – and what happens when life changes. Grandparents ageing is a universal experience, yet it is rarely told in picture book form. In this story, young Celia finds a delightful and positive way to navigate this confusing time.