This children’s book is one that I have
been gradually building for almost four
years. Inspired by the true story of a
retired racehorse I adopted and a young
Greek donkey we rescued to be his
companion, the narrative captures the
invaluable lessons learned from this
unlikely pair — a giant French horse and
a very little Greek donkey.
In December of last year, I assembled a manuscript and conceived a graphic
theme harmonising with the story’s
essence. Opting for organic colouring,
taken from imagery of the area in Greece
where the two are living, I aimed to evoke the timeless feel of an aged handbound manuscript - where the very texture of the book is as crucial as the story it tells. This
simplicity is also reflected in the layout,
typography, and illustrations, fostering a cohesive and gentle visual experience.
The illustrations are hand drawn following a consistent colour palette and texture. The overall ‘feel’
draws inspiration from the artistic styles
of people such as Beatrix Potter, Jan
Ormerod, Raymond Briggs, and my favourite book ‘Prefabulous Animiles’ by James Reeves and Edward Ardizzone.
As a true story, this narrative was an opportunity to bring extraordinary and magical characters to life - two unusual beings from different countries, brought together by chance and bonded for life.
- Book is in the process of official publication in summer 2024.