MDes Communication Design School of Design
Yuwen Zhao
I am an illustrator who loves to draw, to record and present the world around me. Working primarily in picture books, I make work that attempts to blend wisdom with wonder; to engage a reader through a playful take on the world around us. I believe children’s picture books occupy a special space in the field of illustration and publishing; they can take you on a guided journey around the worlds real or imagined; they can educate, illuminate, and, of course, entertain. I love to collect & study picture books and find the endless potential and possibilities in story telling through image irresistible.
what is the moon?
Author/Illustrator Name: Yuwen Zhao
Story outline: A Picture book that when people first form an image in their minds, they want to discover more about it.People seek to seize the moon to study it in depth. So what exactly is the moon? How can we explain the moon? Even if “evidence” can be found, the moon’s reason for existence may escape all logic and evade answers.
Subtext:
– to celebrate curiosity, & the unknown or unknowable,
– to present children’s/people’s passion for exploration & adventure,
– to demonstrate the potential of fun and joy in shared experiences & sharing ideas through play,
– to encourage children to ask questions, to be curious.
Specifications:
– Target/Interest age range: 4–8 (and curious, playful adults)
– Reading Age: 6+
– Language: English
– Dimensions: 25cm*27.5cm
– Pages: 34 full colours, illustrated throughout. （Front and back cover not included）
Manuscript:
Pages 1–2: Look! It’s the moon.
Pages 3–4: But what is the moon? Cheese? Night light? Balloon?
Pages 5–6: Maybe if we catch it, we’ll know.
Pages 7–8: Maybe if we tie it up, we’ll know.
Pages 9–10: Maybe if we measure it, we’ll know.
Pages 11–12: Maybe if we mark it, we’ll know.
Pages 13–14: Maybe if we collect pieces, we’ll know.
Pages 15–16: I’ll go by size! I’ll do colour! I’ll go by pattern!
Pages 17–18: Maybe zoom in 10x?
Pages 19–20: In 100x?
Pages 21–22: In 1000…x?
Pages 23–24: Is that the answer?
Pages 25–26: Maybe the moon should be cut in half! In four! In eight! In million!
Pages 27–28: Let’s get out and cut more.
Pages 29–30: Oh no! The moon escapes.
Pages 31–32: Look! It’s a new moon. But what is the new moon?
Pages 33–34: Maybe we can catch it! Measure it! Cut it! Or maybe the moon is just the moon.
If I had my life over-I’d pick more daisies
Author of the poem: Nadine Stair
Illustrator: Yuwen Zhao
If I had my life to live over, I’d dare to make more mistakes next time. I’d relax, I would limber up. I would be sillier than I have been this trip. I would take fewer things seriously. I would take more chances. I would climb more mountains and swim more rivers. I would eat more ice cream and less beans. I would perhaps have more actual troubles, but I’d have fewer imaginary ones.
You see, I’m one of those people who lived sensibly and sanely, hour after hour, day after day. Oh, I’ve had my moments, and if I had to do it over again, I’d have more of them. In fact, I’d try to have nothing else. Just moments, one after another, instead of living so many years ahead of each day. I’ve been one of those persons who never goes anywhere without a thermometer, a hot water bottle, a raincoat and a parachute. If I had to do it again, I would travel lighter than I have.
If I had my life to live over, I would start barefoot earlier in the spring and stay that way later in the fall. I would go to more dances. I would ride more merry-go-rounds. I would pick more daisies.
