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.

50 Things To Do Before You're 11 3/4 • Task

50 Things

'50 Things To Do Before you're 11 3/4' is a list of fun outdoor activities created by The National Trust to enthuse and encourage children to explore the world around them rather than to stay indoors every day. 

The list includes plenty of enjoyable activities for children to enjoy that are fading out as new technology is being introduced such as laptops, tablets and computer games. The list includes activities such as:

• Build a den

• Take a look inside a tree

• Bury someone in the sand

• Feel like you're flying in the wind

• Track wild animals

• Catch a crab

• Eat an apple straight from a tree

• Get behind a waterfall

• Play conkers

• Feed a bird from your hand

and these are just a few!

The task at hand was to create a double-page spread for a children's book aimed at children around the age of 5-7 years old introducing them to just one of the fifty outdoor activities listed (this could be either a storybook or a reference/information book). This was to be set out in full colour and to specific sizes.

Considerations:

Based on similar titles for the same age group, consideration needs to be given to the

following:

• Quantity and size of the type and the typeface used.

• Visual balance between the image and text.

• Appropriate illustration style.

• Flow and continuity of the design from one double page spread to the next.

• Integration of type.

It may also be worth considering the idea that a child’s perspective on what’s interesting

about a subject isn't necessarily the same as that of an adult.

Having studied through my research of various examples of children's books, I wanted to ensure my type was clear and easy to read, and that my illustrations were simple but colourful and captivating.

After attempting to illustrate various different activities such as 'Eat an apple straight from a tree', 'Get behind a water fall' and 'Bury someone in the sand' (shown below) I wasn't satisfied with how my characters were turning out

'Get behind a waterfall' / 'Build a den'

'Get behind a waterfall'

'Get behind a waterfall' / 'Track wild animals'

'Bury someone in the sand'

'Bury someone in the sand'

'Set up a snail race'

After numerous sketches, elements of my final design began to take place. I originally wanted to include illustrations of children in my final design, as I felt children would be able to relate to it and imagine themselves having fun, just as the illustrated children are. After trying my illustrations with various activities, I couldn't feel satisfied with the children I was sketching, and thus, decided to change my direction.

Not all activities had to involve children, but that certainly didn't make them any less exciting. So I began sketching out owls, woodland creatures, and in particular snails for the 'Set up a snail race' activity. I experimented with various colouring techniques and settled on a water-colour pencil style. I was particularly drawn to the way I could make them bolder around the outlines of an illustration and paler towards the centre, giving the illustrations a little more depth and a softer look to match the great outdoors, rather than harsh bold primary colours. 

My typeface decision was simple: keep it legible and Sans Serif. Studies have shown that Sans Serif is easier to read, especially in young children (Examples are Sassoon Primary and Flora) but I also wanted something with a warmth to it, an almost hand-rendered approach, and so settled with the typeface 'Mossy'.

My final design:

I'm definitely satisfied with my final layout, as I feel it complied with the original considerations.

I careful selected my type and the size/placement of it across the double-page spread, the visual balance between image and text I feel is equal, I have characterised the snails to ensure it appeals to a younger audience and used brighter colours than the natural colours of snails to excite the children, and I feel both image and  type work together to create a suitable and fun double-page spread for a children's book based around the 50 things to do before you're 11 3/4.

The Role of Type in Children's Books

Typography plays a considerably important role in the production of a children's book. At such a young age, children are constantly learning and picking up on new concepts. When presented with a book, it isn't necessarily all about the illustrations, especially if  that child is aged around 5+ when they are learning how to read.
It's important that when deciding on a typeface for a children's book, that it should be legible, and the text should compliment rather than compete with the illustrations. The dynamics of the text placement is also important, and could even become a part of the illustration, alike, for example the unusual 'The Mouse's Tale' by Lewis Carroll:

The Mouse's Tail - Lewis Carroll

This pure combination of both illustration and text was totally unique at the time of publishing, having moved on from the children's books of the 1800's (example shown below) this style offered a new and exciting exploration of the typical children's tale - a journey along the page.

ABC - 1850

Children's books are a product of a new outlook on the importance of children's learning. Here shows a detailed, perhaps adult, example of an alphabet book. In a mix of different colours, small text and Serif type, children of the 21st Century may find this particular example difficult to understand.

The Scarecrow - Theo Van Doesburg and Kurt Schwitters

Here is an example of a real combination of text and illustration. Here, letters become a part of the characters - leaving expressions of these characters to the imagination of the children. Colour is also minimal, which leads to believe this book may be directed at children of an older age group - perhaps around the age of 9 or 10 years old.

There Was an Old Lady - Simms Taback

This book displays a menagerie of different colours with an unique fashion. The typeface gives a hand-rendered appeal, using a selection of different  sizes, colours and styles to create one working piece. This works in perfect harmony with the paired illustration, and even with the story being told - a selection of weird and wonderful events.

The Serif Fairy - Rene Siegfried and Joel Mann

In likeness to 'The Scarecrow (Theo Van Doesburg and Kurt Schwitters), this story uses typeface to create the world of The Serif Fairy, and of course, herself. Each tree, fish, car and house are all compiled of a range of different typefaces, be they Serif of Sans Serif. This is a book, again, perhaps aimed at a slightly older audience (the age of around 9+) although this is the perfect book to practice a younger child with reading a range of various typefaces.

The Stinky Cheese Man - Jon Scieszka

This example of typography in children's books shows the text actually convulsing and distorting to due to the 'smell' of the Stinky Cheese Man. This approach adds a depth and almost realism to the story and helps elevate it, purely using the text to highlight and aid the story. This book looks like it's aimed at children around 7 years old, but again, is ideal for aiding children to learn to read text that may not be in a clear and straight-forward like across the page.

An Edward Lear Alphabet - Vladimir Radunsky

'An Edward Lear Alphabet' shows an expressionate and unique choice and style of typography, the type isn't the typical black Sans Serif typeface found in most children's books, rather, it's rough and sketchy - almost clumsy - somewhat like a child's handwriting, making it all the more relatable to a child.

Bottoms Up - Jeanne Willis and Adam Stower

'Bottoms Up' shows how text can be used as a part of the image itself, highlighting and establishing the size of the image. In the example above, this think, contrasting white typeface accentuates the size of the bear, a brilliant way to involve both image and text - but not take away from either. Both the illustration and type compliment each other perfectly.

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• Becomes a teacher of young children - understanding a child's mind

• Putting himself in the mind of a child - what do they love and thrive off?

• Basing the characters around children

> Considerations

• How old are the audience?

• How much text should be shown on a page?

• Is it a read alone book?

• Is it a book to be read with adults?

• What type of book is it? Storybook/Reference information?

• What is the mood and tone of the book?