A children's book
Where There Is A Will There Is A Way - The Adventures Of Mata-Mata
ROLE: author and illustrator, 2023
PROJECT VISION
The aim of this project was to get children excited about nature. In this particular case, for the nature of the Amazon rainforest, the volcanos and the Galapagos Islands. I started this work as a gift for my godchild, to whom I would love to show all these wonderful species and tell fascinating stories about them.
Another intention was to underline the following: "Where there is a will there is a way" (book title). Often we have doubts that stop us from trying. But if we would just try, we would often succeed. The idea: to get out of the comfort zone.
CHALLENGES
The biggest challenge was the writing part. In my opinion, writing is the most important thing in a children's book. Everything has to be very clear, use words that children know and make them curious to read on. In addition, the design should also be appealing to them.
Although it is not a UX design project, it required a lot of empathy and focus on the user: children.
I'm excited to see how well I've aroused their interest and will be seeking feedback to improve on my designs.
The book has three main purposes.
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This is the main character: Mata-Mata, a small, fringed river turtle. Mata-Mata is very adventurous and on her way to find "Mama Tortuga", the mother of all turtles. To do so, Mata-Mata has to cross the dense rainforest of the Amazon, climb over the highest volcanos of the Andes and through mangrove forests, to then cross the vast Pacific Ocean. On her way, she meets many helpful companions.
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Her only friends, the manatees, also live in the river basin where Mata-Mata originally came from.
The bound with the manatees shows that we always have a connection to something or someone. It is beautiful, but sometimes we only appreciate it when we no longer have it...
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On her adventure she crosses many different landscapes. All these different habitats come with a distinct species composition and "lifestyle".
Each landscape offers a new perspecitve. Step by step Mata-Mata learns how nature can be like and what role she plays in this beautiful complexity.
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When she finally arrives at the Galapagos Islands, Mata-Mata feels a little like home. It is warm, she can swim freely in the water and even meets animals that remind her of her friends, the manatees from the Amazon.
This is the moment when Mata-Mata realizes that she has a beautiful home as well. She starts feeling a little homesick...
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Fear, friends and enemies: Some encounters are not or not immediately a positive experience. Often Mata-Mata finds herself in a situation she cannot explain and does not fully understand. Obviously, this is frightening.
Just like the encounter with the most fearsome raptor of the Amazon rainforest: a harpyie eagle. At the beginning it is not clear what has happened and how to react. In this case Mata-Mata was lucky and managed to escape.
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Another encounter did also frighten Mata-Mata at first. A loud noise and uncomfortable smell.
Luckily, it turned out to be a red howler monkey Mata-Mata rescued without noticing. Both became friends and the monkey helped Mata-Mata to find her way.
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A moment of confusion.
Mata-Mata realizes that she got lost. She is freezing and hungry. But then she finds help, and although she has taken a wrong trail, she gets back on track with the help of three Vikunjas.
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REFLECTION
I started with a simple postcard painting, but step by step this project developed into a printed book. I truly loved to work on this little project. Now I hope that the book will fulfil its purpose to fascinate children, tell them interesting things about nature and give them confidence: Where there is a will, there is a way.
The next steps will be to gather feedback and improve on my designs. Moreover, I will translate the book into Spanish and English such that more children could read it.
In terms of technical skills, I have enjoyed getting more familiar with different programmes like Procreate and Affinity.