Zaha Meets A Spider
CHILDREN'S BOOK WRITING | ILLUSTRATION | BOOK DESIGN
Objective
Deep Ecology (coined by Arne Naess) is an expression of the need to develop a deep, spiritual, intellectual and physical connection to the world. This connection is important to encourage sense of environmental stewardship among children of young age. I deeply believe that exposure to nature at a very early age plays a crucial role in making one sensitive and humble towards the planet and its natural systems.
Story in Brief
A kind girl who is afraid of creatures with more than 6 legs accidentally meets a spider and is intrigued by it. Later, she would have conversations with the spider and learn about the spider and its ways of living. Gradually she overcomes her fear with increased sensitivity.
Process
• Research alternate frameworks like deep ecology, concepts of coexistence
to find language for my thoughts.
• Translation into visuality by referring nature children’s books.
• Writing set of short stories.
• Sketching out initial thoughts. Working and reworking compositions
• Trying out different media (watercolor, oil and soft pastels).
• Draft 3-4 versions of the narrative while improving on watercolor technique.
• Testing first version of book on children within 6–10 year age group.
• Make changes according to comments received.
• Make 3 formats of the book, experimenting with page size, typography.
