Project overview

Bonnie Boyd

Objective:

To prepare two illustrated children’s books for print, ensuring they were kid-friendly in both design and readability, and that they met the technical specifications for full-bleed production and proper pagination.

Client Requirement:

  • Bonnie needed both books to reflect the playful, outdoorsy spirit of her classroom and the love her students had for Ben the Goose.
  • She wanted a font that was accessible for young readers, illustrations that were vibrant and print-ready, and a layout that flowed intuitively for a child turning the pages.
  • Accuracy in page placement was crucial to preserve the rhythm of the story and the integrity of the illustrations.

 

Design Process:

  • For both books, an easy-to-read children’s font was chosen that supported the storytelling and kept young eyes engaged.

  • The illustrations, many created by Bonnie’s students and artist friends, required Photoshop work to ensure they met bleed and trim requirements.

  • We carefully arranged each spread, paying close attention to the way the story would unfold in printed form — making sure each image and page break landed exactly where it needed to be.

  • Since authors often review proofs in flat PDF form (and not everyone can “see” how it will flip like a printed book), we took extra care to manage the page count and layout so the final printed version looked and felt just right — even if that meant adjusting interior pages along the way.

  • Working with Bonnie was a joy from start to finish, and helping bring her classroom’s creativity to life was the cherry on top.

Bonnie Boyd’s first book, The Nibbler: A Story of a Curious Goose, was my introduction to Ben the goose. The cover got a close up view of Ben’s eye!
Bonnie Boyd’s first book, The Nibbler: A Story of a Curious Goose,. Bonnie took photos and her students’ artwork to help illustrate Ben’s story!
Bonnie Boyd’s first book, The Nibbler: A Story of a Curious Goose. The text pages were framed using construction paper.
Bonnie Boyd’s first book, The Nibbler: A Story of a Curious Goose,. Bonnie took photos and her students’ artwork to help illustrate Ben’s story!
Bonnie Boyd’s first book, The Nibbler: A Story of a Curious Goose. This is the About the Author page, as well as a photo of the star of the book: Ben.
Bonnie Boyd’s second book, Where Is The Silly Goose. This book is filled with illustration from Bonnie’s students, as well as some of her artist friends.
Bonnie Boyd’s second book, Where Is The Silly Goose. I took one of the illustration of a goose "honking" and placed it on the legal page like it was honking at the text!
Bonnie Boyd’s second book, Where Is The Silly Goose. Beautiful illustration of a duck in a pink tutu!
Bonnie Boyd’s second book, Where Is The Silly Goose. A child’s drawing of a goose flying past a rainbow.