
ABOUT
A lot of love, commitment and yes... money goes into self-publishing a children's book.
I could not have done this without the help of my daughter Caitlin (The Director ;) and the very talented Monika Suska (Illustrator.)
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Thank you xx

Richard Parr
Writer & Designer

Monika Suska
The Illustrator

Caitlin Rose
The Director
FOLLOW YOUR DREAMS
Publishing this book is a dream I have shared with my little girl ever since her 5th birthday party. That night before bed, she asked me to make up a story instead of reading one of hers. All of 5 years old and looking at me with her big blue eyes, how could I refuse?
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I quickly drew on the events of that day as desperate inspiration to start my story. To my surprise the rest just seem to flow, perhaps I can tell a tale or two :)
After that night she would ask me to tell the story again and again, each night both of us adding a little something more.

Caitlin's 5th Birthday party was captured in this illustration.

I shared the story with my Mother, who at the time was the Head Teacher of a local Montessori School. She loved it so much, she convinced me that I should turn it into a children's book.
Anyone who's tried, knows that getting published is very difficult. I decided to print and publish the book myself. I'm a graphic designer, so it would have been difficult to let go of the creative side anyway.
I sketched an idea for the cover and as you can see, being a graphic designer does not make you an illustrator ;)
It was time to take this to the next level and find an illustrator. From the first sketch below, I knew Monika Suska was the perfect match for our story.

After approval of the first sketch, Monika would then paint the illustration, before scanning it and moving to Photoshop. I have all the original painted illustrations she made, which are a bonus and a lovely keepsake.

Once this was done, the next step was for me to turn it into a book cover and find a suitable font. I wanted something hand-drawn, but not too busy.

Can you spot the 2 main differences between the first painting and the final cover, apart from the fonts? Email me if you need the answer ;)




£10.00
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Coming Soon
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I'm are taking INTEREST in my second book via the form on our contacts page.