We like cowboys

african, character, children's books, design, idea, illustration, pre school books, publishing

I always wanted to do a cowboy book. Finally, I’m attempting one! Sketches to follow.

Ring a ring o’ roses sketch

design, illustration, North London, pre school books

Complete with spelling mistakes, here is the solution for the Ring a ring o’ roses rhyme. I decided at the beginning of the project to show everything, or as close to everything as possible. Painting will start on Thursday. It would be great to get this one right because I know from seeing them that children love to sing this rhyme and play the game.

Ring a Ring o’ Roses

Activities & Play, children's books, Ken Wilson-Max, kids, London, pre school books, publishing, stories

I think there is still some thought about the decoration of the type and the flowers that has to happen, but wanted to post it anyway as I’m fairly pleased with the progress.

Ring a Ring o’ Roses

The historical context for this rhyme dates back to around the time of the Great Plague of London (1665). The symptoms of the plague included a rosy red rash in the shape of a ring on the skin and violent sneezing. People carried sweet smelling herbs, or posies, as they believed the disease was transmitted by bad smells.

The death rate of the Great Plague was over 60% and it was eventually brought to a fiery end by the Great Fire of London in 1666 which killed the rats that carried the disease.

Incy Wincy Spider

Activities & Play, character, children's books, From the sketchbooks, idea, illustration, Ken Wilson-Max, pre school books, publishing

The perils of rushing. I made a mistake on this latest version… boo-hoo! It’s back to the drawing board. The sun dries, not washes, silly. This is the corrected piece.