This project was my first attempt at a full length picture book. My friend had a poem she wrote for daughter, one she’d recited often when her daughter was little and didn’t want to clean up or behave. The poem uses Rapunzel as a little girl who really wants to cut her hair (long hair is apparently too old-fashioned) to show that there might be a need for proper etiquette in a little girl’s life. I had a blast illustrating it, especially working in a little rebellious side-story that lets Rapunzel be who she really is in the end — not needing to conform to others’ standards to be accepted. Thankfully, my friend loved the twist in the pics too!
For a first attempt, I’m pretty dang proud of this. I drew people! More than one! And backgrounds! And I added cute little critter friends (I love it when story books have critter friends in the illustrations).
She is presenting the book to her daughter this month, so I feel like I can share these pics now.
Here are some of my favourite:
