TY - GEN
T1 - Because I Had a Teacher
A2 - Russell, Natalie
N1 - This project began a working partnership with Seattle based Publishing House, Compendium.
Written by Kobi Yamada - New York Times Best Selling & Award Winning Author, Because I had a Teacher explores a range of learning experiences within a ‘classroom’ environment and focuses on the role of the teacher in building a child’s knowledge and independence. The challenge of the project was working with Yamada’s cleverly crafted words and visualising his short ‘inspirational’ sentences. The illustrations portray ‘symbolic adventures’ between two gender / race neutral bear characters (teacher and child) as they participate in learning activities suitable for children at USA Key stage 2 (Age 7 – 10). Light-hearted lessons were represented within the book with fun learning settings. Props such as books, lab coats, art materials, musical instruments, measuring equipment and outdoor pursuits i.e. cycling, climbing, badminton were included to broaden the role / versatility of the teacher.
A new drawing technique was devised to complete the 40-page book employing ‘classroom’ tools such as graphite, coloured pencils and collage materials to generate a warmth and simplicity for the reader. Sharp photographic elements were included to add sophistication and contrast to soft drawn imagery. The completed illustrations were enhanced digitally – my first digital submission of a publishing project.
Following the success of ‘Because I had a Teacher’, I was commissioned in September 2017 to produce supplementary artwork for ancillary stationary products to accompany the book.
On 26th May 2019, ‘Because I had a Teacher’ became a New York Times Best Seller - reaching no. 5 on the Children’s Picture Books List.
Available at: https://www.nytimes.com/books/best-sellers/2019/05/25/ (Accessed Friday 11th October 2019)
ISBN/ISSN/URL/URI:
Compendium Inc. Seattle USA
Hardback ISBN - 978 1943900085
Published: 7 March 2017
Word count: TBC
Number of pages: 40 pages
Reviews
“The heart-warming artwork alongside the simple statements of gratitude makes for a charming, meaningful gift that children will love to give and teachers will love to receive.”
New ‘Because I had a Teacher’ Children’s Book Celebrates Educators. 5 December 2016. (Online) Available at: http://museumsandmore.com/news/new-because-i-had-a-teacher-childrens-book-celebrates-educators/ (Accessed 28th February 2017)
“This darling little book filled with heartwarming illustrations that evoke a sense of whimsy and wonder. This book could be told from the point of view of a child or an adult reminiscing about their favorite teacher. Either way, it is a perfect read for little ones as well as a touching gift for a favorite teacher or mentor.”
The Petite Stag: Because I had a Teacher. 9 May 2017. (Online) Available at: https://thepetitestag.com/2017/05/09/because-i-had-a-teacher/ (Accessed 2nd March 2017)
PY - 2017
Y1 - 2017
N2 - In January 2016, Russell was commissioned by Seattle-based publisher, Compendium, to illustrate Because I had a Teacher, a book written by Kobi Yamada – a New York Times bestselling and award-winning author. Russell’s illustrations portray ‘symbolic adventures’ between two gender/race-neutral bear characters (teacher and child) as they participate in a range of learning activities suitable for children at US Key Stage 1 (Age 4 - 7). For the project, Russell developed an illustrative technique for the project, that deployed pencil drawings and collaged materials to reflect the methods of making used in a child’s classroom at this stage, to enable and enhance connectivity to the content and aim of the publication to celebrate the role of teachers and their positive impact on the growth and development of a children. Building on her ‘screen-printed’ method of illustration, Russell developed sketchbook drawing techniques, in conjunction with contrasting photographic elements, to create a timeless and new illustrative approach that would enhance reader experience for adult and child alike, and to strengthen reader engagement and interaction through a visually meaningful experience together with the words in what became a best-selling children’s book.Russell’s innovative drawing technique has gone on to be utilised as a visual tool for learners, as a means of visual storytelling, and to promote the employment of inexpensive mark-making tools within the studio, classroom or home environments. Because I had a Teacher was published in 2017 and reached number five on the New York Times bestsellers list in May 2019 and was, subsequently number four, in June 2020.
AB - In January 2016, Russell was commissioned by Seattle-based publisher, Compendium, to illustrate Because I had a Teacher, a book written by Kobi Yamada – a New York Times bestselling and award-winning author. Russell’s illustrations portray ‘symbolic adventures’ between two gender/race-neutral bear characters (teacher and child) as they participate in a range of learning activities suitable for children at US Key Stage 1 (Age 4 - 7). For the project, Russell developed an illustrative technique for the project, that deployed pencil drawings and collaged materials to reflect the methods of making used in a child’s classroom at this stage, to enable and enhance connectivity to the content and aim of the publication to celebrate the role of teachers and their positive impact on the growth and development of a children. Building on her ‘screen-printed’ method of illustration, Russell developed sketchbook drawing techniques, in conjunction with contrasting photographic elements, to create a timeless and new illustrative approach that would enhance reader experience for adult and child alike, and to strengthen reader engagement and interaction through a visually meaningful experience together with the words in what became a best-selling children’s book.Russell’s innovative drawing technique has gone on to be utilised as a visual tool for learners, as a means of visual storytelling, and to promote the employment of inexpensive mark-making tools within the studio, classroom or home environments. Because I had a Teacher was published in 2017 and reached number five on the New York Times bestsellers list in May 2019 and was, subsequently number four, in June 2020.
UR - http://www.live-inspired.com/Because-I-Had-a-Teacher-P1703
UR - https://museumsandmore.com/news/new-because-i-had-a-teacher-childrens-book-celebrates-educators/
UR - https://thepetitestag.com/2017/05/09/because-i-had-a-teacher/
M3 - Other contribution
PB - University of Dundee
ER -