On creating my first kid's ABC book for visual readers.
My dad was a published children's author and illustrator, and I remember how wonderful discovering that as a child was, and I always dreamed I too would one day publish an illustrated story. Now I am self publishing my first children’s book, based on my own experiences and my lifelong passion for creating with LEGO bricks, and have co-created it with my kids and for all to enjoy, but especially the visual learners out there.
A passion for plastic bricks
As a kid I remember the moment I had a LEGO toy set in my hands, It felt special as I didn’t have many new sets as a child but had a big enough box of old hand me down bricks I shared with my brothers that provided endless fun. I held that set and asked my dad, “Is it someone's job to design and make these LEGO sets?”. Now to some that might seem obvious, but for me, like many kids, my main experience of jobs was what I experienced, policemen, teachers, chefs, staff in stores and restaurants. I was also aware of craftspeople that made woodwork or pottery and metalwork too, but these toys seemed beyond that, magical in some way. Toys had only just stopped being fabricated by Santa Claus and the magical fairies in the North Pole for me back then. So my Dad replied, “Well yes, It's true, some people do design those sets as their job.” I was sold. I would design LEGO toys for a living. It took another 22 years before that dream became true but I never forgot it, and when at last the opportunity presented itself, I took it.
Thinking BIG and Small
So time went by and yes it felt a bit like Tom Hanks in BIG at times, I was inventing new innovation projects at LEGO and had moved to Denmark. Pushing creativity and play in toys, board games, iPads and phones, Consoles and even AR and VR, after 10 years I had become the Director for Digital Innovation in Play. But after more than 20 years working for others, I also felt I still desired to see where my heart and passion would take me rather than someone else's company strategy and budget. It had been a long time since I opened my own toy shop aged 13. It was high time to try again.
A change of direction.
I left LEGO and started to explore, collaborate, consult and also to write. I worked to help a number of other companies that wanted to understand kids and digital and was happy to help them solve the challenges they faced. I also wrote a children’s fiction short and started working with my wonderful illustrator partner on bringing it to life. I also realised I didn’t only want to inspire my kids by showing them stuff I had done or was doing but to start doing it WITH them, so they could share the journey, collaborate and learn firsthand. So I started 3 new projects, one with each of my kids. The first was an ABC book I co-created for and with one of my sons. He, like many, many kids out there was a bit slower to reading and learning his alphabet and words. He was also a genius with LEGO bricks and other creative tools. He was so visual in his approach that most of the books we had were not right for him. It turned out that he has ADHD and is on the Autism spectrum, quite simply there is nothing wrong with his brain, but it works a bit differently than the majority of other people. This means that most things, not just books, but most traditional teaching materials and practices are simply not suited to him and his learning style. That increased my desire to make this book different and not only visually but creatively engaging to his right brain strengths. All the boys leaned in and contributed of course but it was trying to create something he could enjoy, take pride in and that would help kick start his enjoyment of reading and help improve his skills that became the driver.
Engaging BOTH sides of the brain.
The more traditional Left-brain approach in the book still focuses on the language and reading and writing, whereas the built illustrations and their 3D construction pieces bring in creativity and imagination. Both the initial models and the adapted story visuals speak to the right side of the brain. This creates a longer time spent on the page and its contents and deepens the story consideration, as you look to see and imagine how it was done not just consume the story it is telling. The stories too, open up for thoughtful consideration and humorous imagination. The idea is to not do all the work for the child but leave something left for their imagination and creativity to do and fill in the gaps or expand upon what is there.
Sharing and learning.
Later others encouraged me to share the book with the world, which started with his school class and when all the kids in his class loved and appreciated it so much I felt I had to publish it. I also discovered how well it worked for use as an aid in teaching older students to whom the English language was new.
Love letters.
I have to admit that I loved every minute of the design development, writing and illustrating the book and I hope that shines through in the book, we all take great pride in sharing it with others. I have now gone on to write four more books that will shortly also be launched so keep an eye out for those and subscribe to stay in touch, hear about new titles and articles and also for a chance to win some special prizes. Most of all Enjoy reading!
Cephas and family.
