What an incredible, challenging and exciting journey this has been!
This month, I am releasing a series of short videos about the making of my first children's picture book! I teamed up with super illustrator Jenika Ioffreda, and together, we are creating a book series based on 'Storytime with Anna Christina'! The first book will be for one of my most popular music audiobooks Billy Joins the Circus.
It's so funny how things develop and materialize! I created a Storytime Package because, at my Storytime events, parents were asking me if I had a package they could take away with them! The Storytime with Anna-Christina Package was created for children to enjoy a fun Storytime and interactive activities with their parents at home. I included a CD and a beautifully illustrated booklet with activities relating to the music audiobook on the CD!
Knowing there was a demand for these packages, I knew parents would be pleased when I made them available to purchase at my events as well as online! However, the parents who brought my package also wanted a book to go with the activities! 
I quickly realised that the package I had made, really could have been a book!
Original pencil sketches of the characters featured in my story, Billy Joins the Circus.
This led me to the idea of creating my first picture book! Not just a regular picture book, but a picture book incorporating the idea behind my Storytime Package! This means, as well as having a beautiful picture book to read, children will also enjoy a fun interactive activity, a circus game, a cute colouring in template, and the music audiobook to listen to the music, and song and hear me narrating the story to them! I am going to include a customised Billy greeting card that kids can hang up on their bedroom wall for a daily dose of inspiration and one or two more surprises!
Video One - The Creation of the Characters
It has been a thrill to see the characters coming to life on the pages! From the first few pencil sketches to finalising them in ink and then in colour, it has been wonderful to see their development. I take you on a short journey, in my new video above, on how the characters for my new children's picture book, Billy Joins the Circus, were created. You will see original pencil sketches, inked and coloured illustrations of the characters. Plus you will hear the soundtrack from the music audiobook! This cute video is entertaining for kids, grown-ups and everyone who loves art and illustrations.
I am super proud and excited to be creating my first picture book for children! It's all happening! Woohoooo! ✨
Make sure you subscribe on YouTube so you don't miss my next video and watch this space...
Anna Christina
Links
Storytime with Anna Christina | Storytime at London Libraries | Billy Joins the Circus Blog Post
