Client Concepts

After refining some already drafted sketches, I felt it was time to move on to the client concepts for Gyles at Naturesbase. Below show my concepts of my children's book:

Front Cover for '#1 Explorer!':

Although this photograph doesn't show up the colours I've used particularly well, I decided to use water colour pencil over thick, rough water colour paper to give the book an earthy look and feel (rather than plastic, laminated). I've used rough, earthy greens and browns. 

After I'd created the cover, I realised that I could of perhaps used some brighter, more intense colours (such as berry purples and deep reds), however, it was important to me to keep every element of this book interactive. So let the child draw on the book, give them the opportunity to write there name with mud, moss or berries on the front of it. I'm currently playing with the idea of encouraging them to doodle over it, stick leaves to it etc. (Perhaps by drawing dots in the shape of a leaf, so they search for a leaf and stick it to the cover).

Back Cover for '#1 Explorer!': 

Who said back covers have to plain and boring? Throughout the book, the children will have an opportunity to collect, draw, paint, stick and create in order to become a #1 Explorer. Here I've played with the idea of giving them the well-deserved confirmation that they've completed the book and become a #1 Explorer. I've been considering the use of badges and stickers - however I want to keep this design as eco-friendly as I can. This way a child doesn't even technically need a pen!

A double-page spread example for '#1 Explorer!': 

Here I've taken two activities I am aware that children can take part in at 'Naturesbase' and I've translated them into book format. I wanted the book to be informative, while also encouraging the children to use their own imagination and creativity. All pages in the book will be a selection of "How to make..." pages, "Create your own..." pages, and a variety of different information pages, tracking pages, and areas to stick down leaves, sticks, grass etc. that you will find during your adventures at 'Naturesbase'. It was really important to me to remain true to my original goals of making the book interactive and colourful, while also adhering to the information that comes hand-in-hand with this genre of children's book (Non-Fiction/informative). I've taken the idea of a 'detective' for the age range I'm working for (7-11) and transformed into 'explorer' instead, as I found this gives the child the opportunity to become a part of nature and explore it rather than try too hard to figure it out - enjoy it!

Possible art style?
Textured
Water-colour
Mixture of intense and blended colour
Layered paper techniques (not quite collage)

Type style?
Current typeface - "Brain Flower"
Choice of a thin, hand-written typeface to give a further 'earthy' feel
Rough, earthy pencil texture in typeface

What look and feel am I going for?
Earthy, hand-rendered, colourful design
A happy medium between colourful patterns and visual aesthetic elements (for the younger children) and the informative fact-file style elements (for the older children)
Giving the child control
To encourage enjoyment of nature and taking it into their own hands, rather than being told what to do and what not to do

What age range am I aiming for?
Although I'm definitively aiming for the age range 7-11 years old with an 'explorer' theme, it's certainly not out-of-bounds for 5-7 year olds, as it's full of colours and patterns, involves information about other cultures (such as 'Aboriginal Paintings') and has plenty of different finding, creating and sticking activities which they may also appreciate.

The main influences that have informed my work to date?
A book which has really given me some great inspiration is a book that I own myself called 'Wreck This Journal' although the book, created by Keri Smith, is more of a diary theme with plenty of activities such as "Pocket Lint" (stick pocket lint to the page), "Do a really ugly drawing", "Cover this page using office supplies", "Fill this page with circles" and "Bring this book in the shower with you" - all outrageously unique ways to disable the fear of not messing up your books, this particular book actively encourages readers to take it into their own hands and do whatever they want with their book - to make it their own. I wouldn't even consider the readers actual readers, as I believe they are just as much a part of creating their own book as the creator, Keri Smith is.

Although this book (along with her other works; 'How to be an Explorer of the World' and 'Finish This Book') have certainly been influential to be, I've also taken in all of the art styles and approaches to children's book design given by the other examples of writers and illustrators shown on my blog (such as Ed Emberely's works and 'There Was an Old Lady' by Simms Taback). Again, although 'Wreck This Journal' by Keri Smith I feel has possibly been my main influence, I have definitely subconsciously taken on ideas and elements shown in other writers/illustrators.

What changes or improvements do I anticipate from this point?
At the moment I'm really happy with how my design concepts and ideas are coming along, I definitely feel as though I've gained a real direction with my work. I still feel there are some improvements to possibly be made along the way, for example, how I use my typeface (not particularly the typeface itself, as I'm very keen on the hand-rendered typeface style) but how it looks on the page - I'm looking for the most earthy and rustic looking texture as possible.
I may also, at this point, be looking towards adding some richer colours into the front and back cover of the book. Although I really like the earthy greens and browns I've used, I may find that using some berry purple and red tones may spruce the design up a little and further it's aesthetic appeal to children.

I look forward to the client meeting and discussion, as I feel this will give me a great opportunity to present my work to Gyles, share some thoughts and ideas, and give myself an opportunity in which to better improve my concepts.

Refining Ideas Sketches

When I first began sketching out ideas, I wasn't entirely certain on a direction (art style, typography style, or target readership age). I merely began sketches ideas of what I could display in the book. After compiling some research into what elements come together to make an 'ideal' children's book for reader age groups of 0-5, 5-7, 7-11 years old, I felt I was ready to give my ideas a little more direction.

Since I began research into this brief, and beginning to generate ideas of my own, it's always been important to me that the child should be able to feel like they're a part of the book - not just that it was written for them. I want them to be able to feel involved with the story as much as I do writing/illustrating it. 

Here are some further ideas I've sketched out:

Idea 1) Aimed at: 0-5 year olds. This was one of my initial ideas, I felt it didn't really matter whether or not the story was Fiction/Non-Fiction/Reference, as the character is attached on a long piece of string and journeys through the story (through small slats in the pages). I felt this would involve the child reader and give them some control (especially if their parent/carer is reading the story to them).

Idea 2) Aimed at: 0-5 year olds. This I felt may have been a little too generic - a tactile picture book for young audience to engage with their senses as the book is being read to them. Although I relish the idea of tactile children's book, I felt it didn't really have much personality. Which made me question whether or not the earliest age group was really the group I wanted to design a book for.

Idea 3) Aimed at: Between the two earliest age groups. As previously mentioned, involvement of the child reader is certainly important to me - and since the beginning I've always wanted to include a way to make them feel like a part of the story. This would include lift-the-flap elements. I tried to think of a way I could involve this child-like notion, while also including facts the child would pick up on. I began to think at this stage that I should be looking towards the older age groups, as I wouldn't feel so restricted in what I was creating - knowing the child could understand terms and facts I would use. At this point, the 5-7 year old age group was suiting my ideas a lot more than the younger age group, as this gave me the 'best of both worlds' - they would revel in the colours and shapes used, but also begin to understand terminology, facts and instructions given as a part of the book.

Idea 4) Aimed at: 7-11 year olds. After I felt my age group was changing to older children, I felt like my ideas were gaining much more direction. I felt I could include instructions, facts and terminology without having to worry too much about whether or not the child could understand it. I could make it more text-based and design the page around that. I could vary my art style a little more, rather than remaining solidly on an art style bright colours and simple shapes. I could even experiment more with typeface!
I still felt it was important to keep the book fun and interactive - I didn't want to drain it out with facts and figures. After reading that if I was designing a children's book for 7-11 year olds, it could be focused around tracks and trails, a 'detective' style book, I became really excited about furthering my sketches. I could create an explorer's manual for 'Naturesbase'!

Considerations and Suggestions for Brief

Early Years (0-5 Year Olds)

Concept:
• The importance of creative play in nature for child development when we are young.
•  Guidance for parents/adult carers/nursery staff with activities to further support children's creative learning and play.

Key Words:
•  Very active, doing, looking touching, pointing, brain development, creativity, nature deficit disorder, visual spatial learning, child development, feeling.

Size and type:
•  A4. Digital format (Kindle, iPad etc) is highly recommended.

Type of Learner:
•  Adults across the ability and experience spectrum. Needs to be accessible and applicable to early years workers/specialists.

Example Page:
•  How we first find our way in life (early route finding).
•  How we begin to develop language through seeing, hearing about and remembering environmental features (development of visual spatial thinking).

Other Notes:
•  What we can do when taking children to parks, the supermarket.
•  Developing play opportunities in the garden and nursery settings.
•  Link to web resources.

My Thoughts?

I'm really drawn to the idea of creating a children's book for both the parent/carer and child to read together, and I feel like I could be really creative and playful, while also adding some wildlife and nature facts, although I do feel like a young child could pass these facts by and may be more interested in the colours and shapes, rather than the actual content. I feel as though I'd prefer to stretch out to a slightly older audience, but I'm certainly not crossing this idea out.

5-7 Year Olds

Concept:
•  For children and adults to use and read together.
•  Designed to encourage the reader to get outside and try some of the age related activities which they can see illustrated.

Key Words:

•  Countries, India, China, Peru, Australia, Norway and UK, landscape, vocabulary.

Size and Type:
•  A4. Digital format (Kindle, iPad etc) is highly recommended.

Type of Learner:
•  Offer support in terms of readability to those younger children who learn well through visual learning styles
•  Will probably have a section at the back which supports parents on how to use the book with their child.

Example Page:
•  Very colourful and diverse landscape to include rural and urban, coastline, weather clothes.
•  Try not to conform with stereotypes of countries.
•  Focus on games and activities - things to make and do at home.

Other Notes:
•  The book should try to be interactive.
•  Involve digital format.

Influential Books:
•  Once Upon a Time Maps
• Where's Willy?
• Great Global Puzzle Challenge with Google Earth

My Thoughts?

5-7 year olds are a brilliant age group to design a book for, as they're young enough to be swept away by colours and shapes, but are growing and becoming old enough to understand facts, examples and instructions. This age group could quite potentially be the one I end up designing my 'Naturesbase' children's book for, as age group, I feel, is the best of both worlds, in the sense that they appreciate both the younger and older elements of the book I will be creatring.

7-11 Year Olds

Concept:
• Encourage 7-11 year olds to investigate their environment with their friend.
• They should not need adult help.

Key Words:
• Adventure, explore, collect, clues, evidence, excite, search, create, solve mystery.

Size and Type:
•  A4. Digital format (Kindle, iPad etc) is highly recommended.

Type of Learner:
• Visual Active.

Example Page:
• Trail and tracks - tribal tracks from around the world.
• History.
• Animal tracks.
• Examples of tracks to follow.
• Arrows.
• Circles with stone in.
• Grid to draw on tracks.
• Go out and make a trail for others to follow (parents, friends etc).
• "Did you know?"
• Geocaching
• Using a digital camera.
• Nature detectives.

Influential Books:
• Durrell
• Amatuer Naturalist
• Play Wild
• Forling Kindersley Type Publication
• Geography Fun
• Atlas of Experience
• Lord of the Rings Mystery Map

My Thoughts?

7-11 year olds may be a slightly tougher audience to adhere to, as they're certainly old enough by this point to make up their own minds and decide for themselves that they either 'understand and enjoy something' or they 'simply do not'. Although, this age group could be an interesting age group to create the 'Naturesbase' children's book for, as they will understand instructions and facts and pick them up a lot easier than younger audiences. This age group could certainly work for my children's book design.

Potential Genres

Here begins some further research into all of the potential genre possibilities for my 'Naturesbase' children's book.

'Wreck This Journal'

Written by: Keri Smith

'How To Be an Explorer of the World'

Written by: Keri Smith

'Finish This Book'

Written by: Keri Smith

Keri Smith specialises in activity books for people of all ages. The reader becomes involved in the creation of the books, filling in spaces, sketching, sticking things they find outside in the book - making each book individual and directly unique from that of any other. This idea would be great to involve in the creation of my book for 'Naturesbase' as it gives the child perhaps a guide to follow during their adventure outside.

'Easter Bunny Flap Book'

Written by: Sam Taplin

Illustrated by: Rosalinde Bonnet

'The Bedtime Bear'

Written by: Ian WhyBrow

Illustrated by: Axel Scheffler

'Maisy at the Farm'

Written and Illustrated by: Lucy Cousins

'Easter Bunny Flap Book', 'The Bed Time Bear' and 'Maisy at the Farm' are all lift-the-flap or pop-up books aimed at children of a younger age. These book designs are a happy medium between simple picture books for children and (those similar to the above examples) activity books (which are perhaps slightly too advanced for children of this age). I'd love to involve some lift-the-flap elements in my children's book for 'Naturesbase'.

'The Seashore Book'

Written by: Charlotte Zolotow

Illustrated by: Wendell Minor

'Eddie's Garden and How To Make Things Grow'

Written and Illustrated by: Sarah Garland

'Isabella's Garden'

Written by: Glenda Millard

Illustrated by: Rebecca Cool

Although the above examples of fictions books have references of non-fiction/elements of realism (for example, being set in a garden/at the beach while the protagonist is being advised on activities to take part in outdoors), the stories themselves have been generated by the author. This not only creates a captivating story for young minds to become enthralled with, but also gives them a sense that they, too, can take part in the activities these characters are - encouraging them to have fun outdoors.

'Fun With Nature Take Along Guide'

Written by: Mel Boring, Diane Burns, Leslie Dendy

'Hungry Plants'

Written by: Mary Batten

Illustrated by: Paul Mirocha

'First Nature Encyclopedia'

Published by: DK Publishing

'The Tiny Seed'

Written and Illustrated by: Eric Carle

'If Rocks Could Sing'

Written and Illustrated by: Leslie McGuirk

Non-Fiction and Reference books have their differences in the way that Non-Fiction literature uses real situations in which to present information factfully, but perhaps with added illustrations and elements to create an interesting story for children (For example, books such as 'Horrible Histories' show real life events, however crafted into stories and illustration to further the content). Reference books are more like fact-files and Encyclopedias, displaying the information exactly how it is (However these, too can be illustrated in a fun way - however photographs are advised). My children's book for 'Naturesbase' will involve facts about wildlife and the environment, while giving the children an opportunity to not only learn, but actually involve themselves with their surroundings.

Initial Research

'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz'

By: L.Frank Baum

Art by: Robert Sabuda

Publisher: Little Simon

'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz' presents a elaborate title, in which the characters are involved with the words. The format of the book is a "commemorative pop-up" and new features such as a small pair of green-lens glasses and moving pop-ups are being used to make this book unique. 

This book is certainly a book children who learn visually would appreciate, however it's also appropriate for kinesthetic learners because, for example, the addition of glasses for the child to get involved with the story themselves. This book is also intellectual as there is a lot of writing involved. This book is ideally aimed for children aged 6+, but young children may enjoy it and understand it more with adult supervision.

Sight and touch are the primary senses at use with 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz', other senses such as taste, sound and smell aren't really present/revelant, as sight and touch are so extensive and intriguing as stand-alone elements in this book.

We consider this to be an appropriate way to present the stoy of 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz', as the adventurous story is shown elaborately and in such a fun way that children of all ages will find something in the book that will appeal to them.

'A First Book of Nature/Outside Your Window'

By: Nicola Davis

Illustrated by: Mark Hearld

• Pen and ink – textured strokes, intense colours.• Encourages the target audience to venture outside and aids develop their knowledge and understanding of wildlife and their habitats.

• The children, whilst being able to read a narrative, they’re also learning more about the environment and wildlife using their imagination.

• Not quite an information book – more of a narrative, artistic but doesn't exaggerate colours of nature.

• Aimed at 7+

'George and Flora's Secret Garden'

By: Elizabeth Elworthy

Illustrated by: Ley Honor Roberts

• Collage and digital illustration (hand-rendered and coloured digitally)

• Includes practical tips and suggestion for fun outdoor activities.

• Incorporated into a narrative – real tips with make believe characters – relatable for children as central characters are children.

• Grandad giving tips to the children – book for grandparents and parents to read with their children.

•  Actively encourages children to have fun in the garden and learn about flowers and planting fruit and vegetables.

• Aimed at 5+

'Out and About in my Boots'

By: Christina Goodings

Illustrated by: Jo Brown

• Lift-the-flap books for young children to engage with.

• Introduces young children to the world around them.

• Encourages children to look after the planet and be environmentally friendly.

• Painted art style.

• Labelled animals throughout the book – teaching the children to read and teach them the names of animals etc.

• Colourful, bright intense colours used.

• Presents appropriate clothing for the children to use when out exploring.

• Aimed at 3+

How Children Learn

"I hear I forget, I see I remember, I do I understand"

Kinesthetic - Also known as 'tactile learning' is a preference to learning through practical, physical activities rather than listening or watching to the activities being shown.

Visual - This preference to learning is a style in which concepts are associated with a need for imagery. These learners have a tendency to use vocabulary such as "which looks like..."

Auditory - These learners have a preference - depend on - hearing and speaking as their main way of learning new information. They tend to be reliant specifically on rhythm and pace, hearing and tone.

Ideal books for Kinesthetic learners

As Kinesthetic learners have a preference to a hands-on approach and involving themselves in activities, examples of an ideal books for these young learners are tactile books such as the 'Touch and Feel' collection (shown below). These bring children into the story and allow them to remember the feeling of animals rather than just reading about them, or listening to parents talk about them. This way of learning isn't focused on the use of imagination, but more so about the memory of the child and how they use it to understand new information.

Ideal books for Visual learners

Visual learners are likely to find books highly interesting, specifically books intended for children with imagery and illustration included. The style of illustration isn't necessarily important to this learner, they simply thrive from any form of visual stimuli. 

Ideal books for Auditory learners 

Any book can be appropriate for an auditory learner - especially if the book is being read to them. This opens up a selection of different books. But among average children's books, are also the (arguably, perhaps slightly less popular) sound books, such as, 'What the Ladybird Heard' (shown below) in which children can read the story (or have it read to them) and press the corresponding buttons to hear and remember the sounds of (in this case) the animals.

Main Brief • Naturesbase

Who are they?

'Naturesbase' are and outdoor environment education experience organisation directed at children (and a few adults, alike!) to educate and get them involved in looking after our environment and enjoying days outside away from the busy world of technology. 

What do they do?

'Naturesbase' invite primary schools to their inspirational residential camp to learn about living in harmony and having fun with our environment and wildlife.

"one of the best ways to describe it is a 24/7 forest school experience
 where we live and learn outside, but with the comfort of our large stone barn from eating, teaching, relaxing and playing in if we need to."

Children can get involved with tasks such as;

• Sleeping in large safari style tents
• Singing and roasting marshmallows around a campfire circle
• Collecting eggs from chickens and feeding the animals
• Making lunch for later
• Warm up games
• "West Wales Adventure" - Using a map to journey around the farm
• "Survival in the Wild" - Getting into "tribes" and learning how the Celts survived
• Lighting small fires with a spark
• Writing haiku-poems
• Locating the best place for a wind turbine
• Outdoor pizza making - made with ingredients from the farm
• Learning about farming skills by creating hurdle fences, feeding animals, creating scarecrows, mucking out, grinding corn, making flour and bread (for supper), churning butter and sowing seeds before a taste tour of the veg patch
• Exploring the woodland, hedgerow, meadow, and stream habitats for a range of bugs
• Having fun in the "Muddy Messy Obstacle Course"
• Going on a "Celtic Safari" collect clues, and then navigate the way back to camp
• Paddling in streams
• Learn how to filter water
• Learn to light fires
• Follow an explorer's trail to Aberaeron Harbour town
• Crab fishing in Aberaeron
• Raft building on the beach
• Visit a Welsh speaking school
• Night-time safari
• Hunting for bats
• Orienteer around the site by torch light
• Listening to stories under the stars

Creating;

• Native American map lines
• Natural paint
• Shelters next to a stream
• Herb tea
• Pots from the riverbank
• Dream catchers
• Cob/earth bricks
• A solar oven
• A 'bug hotel'
• A float a solar-powered boat
• Natures palette
• Sculptures
• Wet clay faces and puppets
• Natural tie-dying
• Name plates collages
• Mobiles
• Leaf bowls
• Aboriginal art paintings
• Nettle paper
• Cob bird boxes
• Masks
• Beads and bracelets
• Stick carvings
• Willow dragon flies
• Hedge row pencils
• Tree people and animals
• String

What's the brief?

Key Objects
> To design elements of a potential children's book which will act as an introduction to exploring the natural world through activities and associated information.
> To suggest best or most appropriate art styles, type use/formatting and/or added features through research to help the audiences best engage with the subject matter.

Target Audience(s)
There are 3 age group catergories available from which you must select one for your book to be aimed at:
> 5-7 year olds (emerging readers). To be read and sued with adult assistance
> 7-9 year olds (confident readers). To be read and used with some adult assistance
> 9+ (confident and competent readers). To be read and used independently with minimal adult assistance.

Deliverables Summary
You are required to produce 1 x cover (front, spine & back) and 2 x internal double page spreads for a book that introduces children to, and activities within the natural world.
Sizes: After research you are to decide whether to use A5 of A4 sized pages.
Paper use: Your client as that you consider the use of recycled papers and board as he is keen that the printing of this book ultimately takes in as many 'eco print' considerations as possible.

Final Presentation
All elements to be mounted and annotated clearly with module number/name visible, on a sheet of black A1 mount board.


Are the any other similar courses to 'Naturesbase'?
There are the so many different activities for children to get involved with and enjoy, but 'Naturesbase' aren't the only organisation of its kind.

Another example is 'Arthog' -- an outdoor education centre aimed at children aged 11+ (but take on a lot of younger secondary school year groups)

Their aims are highly similar to that of 'Naturesbase', to educate children and to involve them in outdoor activities. The activities that 'Arthog' present are perhaps a little more challenging, with tasks such as;

• Trail Quest
• Raft Building
• Gorge Scrambling
• Rock Climbing
• Mountain Walking
• Paddle Sports
• Board Surfing
• Mountain Biking
• Mine Exploration
• A Camping Night Out
• Nightline
• Orienteering
• Photosearch
• Night Walks
• Beach Games

Having been to 'Arthog' three times in the past, I have a first-hand experience at an outdoor activity organisation, so I'm looking forward to putting design and outdoor education/activity together.

Other examples of outdoor education adventure organisations include:

Kingswood
Howstean Gorge
Live the Adventure

Initial thoughts and ideas for 'Naturesbase'?

After doing some research into 'Naturesbase' and their aims, and also reaching out into further similar organisations, my initial thoughts are that I want to create elements of a children's book that really engages with a child and makes them excited about what lies outside their front door and beyond technology. Something that makes them want to know more about the different activities you can take part in not only in your garden, but in fields, forests, streams etc. I'm looking forward to getting started with this brief.