Quick poll: too creepy?
Posted by Vanessa
August 20, 2008
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At the moment, I’m harbouring several ideas for children’s stories (did I mess up that apostrophe? I’m REALLY tired) at the moment – most of them fairly simple. The trouble is that good books for small children are illustrated, at least as much picture as word, generally. And I can’t draw very well at all. Would it be weird and creepy if I story-boarded and handcrafted my story collage-style? I’m thinking about a story revolving around a witch with two small (non-magical) dogs who rescue a large, mean (magical) black cat. It probably sounds silly in outline, but I’ve got a fairly clear idea where I’m going with it and could hobble together the visual elements in a fun, crafty fashion. Should I try, or should I just give up and write it and see if anyone out there is interested in partnering up to illustrate?
And – by the by – what was/ is your favourite book aimed at children? I love ‘The Little Prince’, all of the Mog stories, ‘The Tiger that Came to Tea’, ‘The Very Hungry Caterpillar’ and all the Enid Blyton novels that took place in boarding school. To this day I’ve never had ginger ale and sardines at midnight, but I’ve always kind’ve wanted to.
8 comments Categories: about us, books, challenge, craft, design
August 20th, 2008 at 9:53 am
I loved The Tiger That Came To Tea! I read it in my favourite bookshop recently and still loved it. I somehow managed to move straight from that to Point Horror with no Enid Blyton in between, which I’m not sure how I did.
As for your idea, go for it! If it doesn’t work, look into using an illustrator; but you should definitely try it first.
August 20th, 2008 at 10:40 am
I was too precocious for Enid Blyton…I (still do) adore the Big Hungry Caterpillar and the Tiger Who Came to Tea. I loved the Janet and Allan Ahlberg books too :o)
As for your idea – recall, if you will, that The Big HUngry Caterpillar is just illustrated with collage and India ink, so it’s definitely a brilliant idea.
August 20th, 2008 at 1:57 pm
I never got round to Point Horror or Point Romance; but I did actually like my Enid Blyton, jolly hockeysticks and all!
August 20th, 2008 at 5:56 pm
It’s a fantastic idea!!!! Do it!!!
I loved The Adventures of Pip by Enid Blyton – it was a collection of short stories about a pixie called Pip, and was basically a bunch of stories about why (for example) male blackbirds’ beaks are golden, and why chestnut buds are sticky.
Oooh ooh and Each Peach Pear Plum. I can still recite it all verbatim. Sometimes. If I think hard enough & my sisters are there to help ;)
August 21st, 2008 at 3:31 am
I love the idea. Not too creepy at all. Anything goes in children’s illustrations nowadays.
August 23rd, 2008 at 9:27 am
I think it is a great idea, and will give it that extra something, to make it that little bit different and exciting. Maybe you could use different textures too to make it even more fun? Or maybe I’m getting over excited.
I loved The Very Hungry Caterpillar too. :)
August 24th, 2008 at 11:39 am
I think it’s a wonderful idea and if you both write it and storyboard it yourself it will become richer. Then, if you need to, you’ve got a storyboard you can give to an illustrator (I know a few if you need contacts). The Charlie and Lola stories are all collage and they look pretty, barely any illustration involved. I think whatever you come up with yourself will look fresh and new, which is most important – there are lots of very same-y illustrated books out there now and lots of people ripping off the Charlie and Lola style. Do it. Do it. Do it.
September 4th, 2008 at 7:10 am
I think this is a fantastic idea, Vanessa. You and I should talk next time we see each other. You do know my friend Meredith is a children’s book editor, right? :)