Task 4 - Research

1. Louis Ehlert


Louis Ehlert has created a series of information books about plants and vegetables including 'Planting a Rainbow' and 'Eating the alphabet'. Straight away the titles show that he uses enticing elements to go along with the subject of planting and vegetables. These topics could seem boring to a child but make it more appealing with things they could enjoy or like e.g bright colours and eating. He illustrates the images with paint and a collage affect that i find quite child like, i think this strategy relates to the child more, making it more fun to read.

Instead of a simple book form he adds interactive elements into the pages. This draws the audience in further which could add a more effective way of learning. This also creates a fun experience between the parent and child, which can then be carried forward to the task itself.

The standard page form shows big, bold images with bright colours and minimal typography. He lets the images speak for themselves, because of this i think these books are aimed towards the 5-7 year old age bracket.

2. Eric Carle

I found this short video about the very hungry caterpillar. I like the idea of using something random that could keep a child occupied like 'hole punching' and transferring this into a texture or background. This will sub-concioulsly appeal to the child. He uses this hole punching method in and interactive physical away as well with holes in the pages.


I like how this video shows different techniques in creating the images by using various textures, materials and colours.


3. Annabel Karmel - children's cook books


Annabel Karmel is a childrens cook book author, I found her books a great way of encouraging children to cook and the way her books are designed are fun and very easy to follow. The typography and images are relative, friendly and fun. She uses children in her photographs which shows the child they can do it. The hierarchy of the page and it's step by step formation are broken up into easy to read sections but every things still athsetically pleasing. I think this is a great example of a step by step children's information book. And something i can consider within my own designs.

4. Activity books


I really like the idea of having some interactivity with my children's book, and i think the topic of 'foraging' may benefit from an exciting angle to engage with its audience. Below is an interesting angle that could work with my own designs e.g maybe at the end of the book I could have a colouring page where they can colour in what they want their products to look like etc.

The example below shows a book where the reader chooses the adventure and makes them think about colour texture and materials, this also encourages creative thinking as well as making it fun. I think its an interesting strategy that I'm keen to incorporate in some way for my own book.