WOULD YOU STILL LOVE ME IF I WAS A WORM?
Would You Still Love Me if I was a Worm? is a playful tale that draws on the colourful imagination of children, their constant desire for validation, and the often-tiring reality of parents balancing childcare and working life. The title, inspired by social media, sets the narrative for the book, which follows Tom and his mum as they navigate a gloomy winter’s day in London. To puncture this monotonous commute home, Tom sources inspiration in the objects and creatures he spots and finds humour picturing himself living life as a worm, giraffe, spatula, liquid, and more. He invites Mum to play along, who does her best to indulge. As the story progresses, Tom’s metamorphism grows wilder and wilder, bringing wonderful anthropomorphic visions to life, until the illusion is shattered… temporarily.
This story, written and illustrated by Edith Ault, combines a love for surreal and anthropomorphic characters with a heart-warming, relatable expression of parent-child relationships. Drawing on her own childhood, Edith recalls asking the same kind of relentless questions of her parents, and hopes this tale encourages understanding and empathy in both child and reader.
The medium is watercolour, gouache, pencil, and pastel.
I MUST NOT THINK OF PINK ELEPHANTS
I Must Not Think of Pink Elephants follows a young protagonist Noah, who tries their best not to think of pink elephants. The pink elephants, a metaphor for anxiety in an often confusing and overstimulating world, take on human characteristics to explore serious issues concerning children's mental health to help make the subject less taboo and more accessible for children, their parents and carers.
The book is written by University of Glasgow Social and Health Policy lecturer Michelle McGachie, with the illustrations and book design by Edith. It is aimed at all ages but best suited to be read to young children and read by developing readers aged 8 and above.
As someone who struggled with compulsive thoughts as a child, working on this book with Dr McGachie has been an incredible honour. In my work, I enjoy the challenge of translating often difficult subject areas into narratives that are relatable and inviting, often through humour and anthropomorphism. I Must Not Think of Pink Elephants was the perfect opportunity to put those skills towards a story that I felt personally very close to. By using a three-colour palette, the hues of pink and red throughout the book create a visual symmetry that pairs beautifully with Michelle's lively and harmonious language. It's been a pleasure to watch children and adults alike get lost in the book's bright colours (and visual easter eggs peppered throughout!)
A percentage of the profits will be donated to SEED Malawi, founded in 2019 to help safeguard children and improve the quality of education in rural Malawi.
JO AND THE DOUGH
Jo and the Dough is a 32 page picture book written by Ooni co-founder and co-CEO Darina Garland, illustrated by Edith Ault. Published by Ooni Pizza Ovens (2021) and available to purchase through ooni.com
Through whimsical illustrations sure to captivate the minds of children and adults alike, Jo and the Dough tells the story of Jo, an inquisitive young girl who, through a single impulsive act, accidentally brings her pizza dough to life. Fortunately, her friend Dough Monster is happy to help get the pizza party started, and in no time at all, he’s leading her on a fast-paced romp through the neighbourhood to collect ingredients.
