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Published September 2, 2024
When illustrating a children’s book, what’s the trick to making the story stand out? Do you zoom in on the characters’ personalities, or should you go in on the storyline details? Well, today, I’m taking you on a journey through my three children’s books and how they’ve evolved over time.
Hi, I’m Jaime Heathcote. The idea of creating my first children’s book came to life in the summer of 2022. After saying goodbye to my video game, MOVE IT, I realized I wanted to explore a bigger variety of content. That’s when I thought—why not combine books and comics with illustrated children’s stories? It was the perfect way to let my imagination run wild, unbound by reality—because, let’s face it, a realistic kids' book can be a bit boring. When it came to making my own children’s book, I found that a great starting area was to bring two words together to get a rough idea of the story.
If you ask me, children’s books are the best way to show your story. Think about it: books let you dive into the details, while comics are great for showing off the action with illustrations. But children’s books? They give you the best of both worlds! You get to combine storytelling with vibrant pictures—all without needing to juggle a million other tasks. Plus, they’re the perfect blend of detail and visual flair, making them the easiest and most fun way to bring your story to life. It’s like getting to merge a great story with colourful illustrations—without having to write an entire novel or draw a full comic series!
The Flying Pig. Let’s just say the front cover won’t be winning any art awards, but oh well, it does the job. This was my first children’s book, featuring a pig with a secret—and no, it’s not that he’s into zumba. I’ll let you discover it on your own! Since it was my first, the story is, let’s be honest... pretty simple. An animal on a farm with a twist that makes him special, because apparently, every farm animal needs something peculiar these days. But it’s a nice quick read filled with fun characters, and it won’t put your kid to sleep—at least not too fast!
Next up, we have Plant Powers. This time, I really stepped up my game! This book tells the heart-warming tale of two girls who venture into the woods and help an owl using their magical powers—because who doesn’t love an owl in distress? This book is extra special to me, as it was inspired by my two little cousins (who are probably still waiting for their royalty checks). I even dedicated the book to them since their names represent a flower and a tree—a perfect setup for a story that’s part magical and part leafy. Let’s just say it’s proof that family inspiration can lead to great things—or at least an owl that finally gets its act together!
And finally, Space Panda—my pride and joy, my creative baby. I poured my heart into this one, especially the artwork. It all started with a simple idea: a cute panda with a natural backdrop. But then I thought, “How do I make this panda’s journey as wild as possible?” And that’s when it clicked—space! A great part was the backdrop: a black canvas that let me go wild with bright colours, planets, and all the cosmic chaos I could dream of. The panda meets aliens, discovers new life forms, and basically has the kind of adventure that makes you wish you’d paid more attention in science classes. The best part? The possibilities are endless—there are so many adventures still waiting to be told. If you ask me, space stories for kids are a brilliant idea—especially when you get to put a panda in a space helmet. Who knows, maybe a Space Panda 2 could happen?
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