Writing Pandemonium

November 30, 2020 | By Women Writers Women Books | Reply More

The process of writing Pandemonium: a picture book for children 2–7 years

Gail Aldwin

By Gail Aldwin

A few years ago, I began thinking about writing a children’s picture book. At the time I was delivering a module on writing for children to undergraduates at the University of South Wales. We were studying aspects of anthropomorphism in children’s literature, where animals have human characteristics, and I shared examples of how this technique is used to explore danger vicariously and therefore safely. Students joined the discussion before going slightly off task and started chatting about cute red pandas that are found in the mountains of Nepal, northern Myanmar and central China.

The idea for writing a children’s picture book with panda characters struck me as a good one. I spent a long time wondering about the differences between giant pandas and red pandas and although these animals are unrelated, it started me thinking. Could anthropomorphism provide an opportunity to explore ideas about belonging and identity with young children?

Pandas are so adorable it was easy to imagine a purple panda getting up to hijinks in a department store where her colouring would offer camouflage. To explore this idea further, I began the process of drafting the story. The opening and ending pages contain images of happy family life but for the apex of the story, Peta gets into trouble. This enables Peta to learn more about herself and others. With the story arc complete, I played around with the text so that the words drew upon patterned language and repetition which children so enjoy. At this stage, I submitted to my publisher.

Victorina Press supports bibliodiversity. This is where small presses create a healthy publishing ecosystem by investing in unheard voices and quirky stories rather than following the formulas adopted by big publishers. With this commitment to bibliodiversity, Victorina Press publishes a range of genres from fiction to non-fiction, poetry and children’s literature.

My manuscript for Pandemonium was accepted due to its central theme of celebrating difference shared through a relatable story for young children. For the picture book to be successful, it depended on the appointment of a talented illustrator and I was delighted to work alongside Fiona Zechmeister.

The collaboration with Fiona began when we talked through ideas for a visual storyline to dovetail with the words on the page. The illustrations tell a slightly different and nuanced version where the images fill in the blanks created by use of minimal text. Tension is achieved when this dual storyline approach is used in children’s picture books. Fiona then created thumbnail sketches and used water colours to give the pandas movement and personality. In the final version of Pandemonium illustrations are a combination of traditional and digital watercolours.

Sometimes the text needed to change to suit the images, at other times adjustments to the illustrations were necessary. Fiona brought many fresh ideas to the table and showed me how light and shade work through the illustrations to enhance the story. It was by committing to a strong collaboration including open conversations, flexibility and sensitive criticism that Fiona and I were able to bring Pandemonium to its final draft.

We’re now delighted to see our work in print. Pandemonium will be released on 1 December by Victorina Press.

About Pandemonium

Peta doesn’t look like other pandas in the toy department because of her purple coat. This provides camouflage and enables her to get up to mischief. When an assistant spots Peta this puts an end to her tricks. Peta must learn more about herself … but does this stop Peta’s fun? Of course not!

Praise for Pandemonium

Pandemonium is absolutely delightful! Peta the panda is stuffed full of fun and young ones will adore her. Wendy White, Tir na n-Og Award Winner

The beautiful illustrations are full of movement and excitement, and the joyous story will appeal to young children and their parents. Liz Poulain, children’s author and illustrator

Purchase links

See the opening pages, find reviews and purchase links here: https://www.book2look.com/book/c5E9F2kXYI

Victorina Bookshop: https://www.victorinapress.com/product/pan-de-mo-nium/

Amazon: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Pand-Mo-Nium-Gail-Aldwin/dp/199936967X

Seasonal Promotion

Order Pandemonium directly from the publisher, Victorina Press, and you’ll receive 30% discount by entering this coupon code XMAS2020 (one use per customer). Please support this small independent press in their mission to discover unheard voices and promote diversity.

About Gail Aldwin

Novelist, poet and scriptwriter, Gail Aldwin’s coming-of-age novel The String Games was a finalist in The People’s Book Prize and shortlisted in the Dorchester Literary Festival Writing Prize 2020. Gail lives with her family in a house that overlooks water meadows in Dorset. Find out more about Gail on her blog: https://gailaldwin.com

Twitter: https://twitter.com/gailaldwin

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gailaldwinwriter/

About Fiona Zechmeister

Fiona holds a degree in Visual Communication and a Masters in Publishing from the University of Derby. She works as an illustrator creating book covers and children’s books. Pandemonium is the third children’s picture book Fiona has illustrated. The others are I am Adila from Gaza and Songo. Find out more about Fiona on her website: https://www.fionazeich.net