Creating A Children's Book.

During my final year of studying BA Illustration at USW, I wrote and created a rough design for a children's boin which I hope to publish in future, this post documents my experience and aims for this book.

Image Description: A double-page spread of a Brown and Cream coloured Giant Panda surrounded by watercolour bamboo and grass with its back turned, looking over its shoulder. The text below the panda reads "This is Panda".

The working title is "Panda Only Eats Bamboo", and it tells the story of a young Giant Panda who struggles to try new foods due to sensory issues. She goes on a journey to help herself try new foods in a safe and gentle way, with the help of peers who offer her the support she needs.

This story is closely related to my experience as an Autistic person who struggles with eating a variety of food due to (undiagnosed) Avoidant/Restrictive Food Intake Disorder (ARFID). The story does not specifically label any conditions in the hopes that it can be broadly interpreted by those who may find that the story resonates with them. I hope it will also be able to start discussions in classroom environments among children who may interact with peers who experience the same things.

Image Description: A double-page spread of an outdoor picnic scene with a variety of bears including (from left to right) a grizzly bear with two cubs, a red panda, a black and cream giant panda, a brown and cream giant panda (the main character), a dark brown grizzly bear and a koala bear. They are all enjoying a feast of different food with napkins and a picnic blanket. The text above the scene reads "Guests brought their own food, some animals even shared. Panda Stuck to her bamboo, as she felt very scared. Some animals were still puzzled, but most understood. That Panda was trying, the best that she could.".

The book is currently unfinished, but I am working hard to complete the final illustrations to hopefully self publish it when I can.

Thanks for reading, and I hope someday you will be able to read my book!

By Alison Howard