And as that baby becomes a toddler, that book might be their first favorite book. That’s pretty incredible! The words I’m writing could be among the first they hear. Travis: What’s something fun/cool/rewarding about writing a board book that people might not realize?īen: When I’m making a board book, it might be the very first book a baby ever sees! Some of the very first images they ever make out. The parts that resonate with all of us, regardless of whether we’re 2, 22, or 92. They can be used in so many ways (such as for picnics or capes!), and at the end of the day it is such a wonderful feeling to cozy up with a special blanket and someone you care about.Īnother part of my approach was to limit my words and even the illustrations to get to the most essential parts. Like bubbles! Who doesn’t like bubbles?! It’s fun to blow bubbles, pop them, watch them, and even to say the word “BUBBLES!” There is something so uplifting about them! Blankets also have an appeal for a wide range of ages. To try to achieve this, I focused on things that are almost universally appreciated by all age groups. To feel that these board books belong beside the other books in the series. I wanted older readers, especially kids that read the Narwhal and Jelly early graphic novels, to be able to pick up the board books and enjoy them, too. What was challenging, though, was that I wanted the board books to be enjoyable for not only the typical board book audience. It also helped that I was already immersed in the world of that age group. Narwhal’s playfulness and imagination, I believe, had a lot to do with that. How did you approach it?īen: Narwhal and Jelly took to the new waters of the board book format surprisingly quickly, I found. Travis: I would imagine that bringing a character to a new format is a challenge. Many younger kids had already been responding to the illustrations and characters in the Narwhal and Jelly graphic novels despite the main audience being six years and up, so the board book format felt like it could be a fun and fitting place for that duo to dive into.

I had been wanting to give it a go though, as my kids are pretty little (two years old and tour years old now) and my mind and house were filled (and still are!) with books for that age group. Either way, it didn’t take any convincing for everyone to be on board!Ī few of my picture books (MO’S MUSTACHE, REX WRECKS IT, and BOO WHO?) had been turned into board books, but I hadn’t yet approached making a book that was specifically for that format.

Travis: So Narwhal and Jelly are coming to the board book world! How did this come to be?īen: I can’t recall if it was the Tundra Books team or me that mentioned the possibility of making board books first. Travis: Hi Ben! Thanks for taking my questions.īen Clanton: Ahoy, Travis! My pleasure! Thanks for sharing the covers and for your questions.

Narwhal and jelly