When 8-year-old Kenzzo wrote "The Boy Who Saved The World," I was tasked to bring the magic to paper. His tale, filled with bravery, wonder, and a hero named Michael (inspired by Kenzzo himself), was a joy to illustrate. And it made me realise something important: More picture books should be written by children. Who better to capture the wild creativity and magic of childhood than kids themselves?
I leaned into the cheekiness and the tiny hidden giggles in the details. I was inspired by my years in London studying art, the work of Miroslav Sasek and other amazing mid century illustrators. It’s a mix of vintage charm and childlike spontaneity, just like Kenzzo’s imagination— hilarious and full of life.
"The world is in danger! A hungry outer space creature is about to suck up all of the Earth’s energy and create chaos for all its inhabitants. Will Michael, a 9 year old boy with his newly discovered powers, beat the beast?"
Behind the scenes....
After years of digital illustration, I decided to take a leap—back to watercolors, pens, and mixed media. The process was slower, messier, and super refreshing. I painted outside in my garden and delighted in every brushstroke and texture.
Before jumping into the book action, I needed to get reacquainted with my dusty watercolors. I had a lot of fun creating these characters for practice.