Self Publishing a Children's Picture Book: How I made Ava and the Moon Rabbit

Creating Ava and the Moon Rabbit was an incredibly fulfilling experience for me. As both the writer and illustrator, I had the privilege of creating everything from scratch—giving life not only to the characters and story but also to the visual elements. Here’s a glimpse into how I brought this picture book to life and how a community of supporters helped make it possible.

The Spark of Inspiration

Every story starts with an idea, and Ava and the Moon Rabbit was no different. The image of a moon rabbit—a folklore figure in various cultures—sparked my imagination. What if a young girl named Ava had a whimsical adventure with the moon rabbit? I tried to imagine myself as a young girl and the kind of story I liked. I would want to believe I could do anything - and in dreams we definitely can!

Building the Characters

I knew I wanted a female main character as I was kind of making this book for my younger self, and I always connected better with female characters. I wanted her to be curious, brave, and full of wonder. Ava's interactions with the moon rabbit had to be both magical and grounded in emotions young readers could relate to—feelings of adventure, friendship, and perhaps even a touch of loneliness.

As for the moon rabbit, I was inspired by the idea of folklore figures being real and approachable to children. The moon rabbit became a mysterious yet friendly guide for Ava, helping her navigate the unknown, much like a child learns about the world around them.

Writing the Story

Writing for children comes with its own set of challenges. The language had to be simple yet evocative, keeping young readers engaged while also sparking their imaginations. I focused on creating a lyrical tone that would make the story flow almost like a lullaby, to mirror the dreamy nature of the narrative. Balancing dialogue with narration was important—I wanted Ava’s voice to shine while also letting the moon rabbit’s wisdom and charm come through.

The Illustrative Process

As an illustrator, I’m always thinking visually, even when writing. For Ava and the Moon Rabbit, I knew the art would play a crucial role in conveying the wonder of the story. I wanted each page to feel like a small piece of art that could stand on its own, while also contributing to the larger narrative.

My creative process involved sketching out key scenes and character expressions on paper and my iPad Pro (in Procreate). The settings—whether it was Ava’s bedroom or the expansive night sky—were drawn with a sense of wonder and adventure. The colour palette was essential in setting the mood. I chose soft, cool tones to represent the night sky, contrasted with more earthy colours for Ava's world. This combination helped to create a sense of balance between the magical and the familiar.

Funding the Dream Through Kickstarter

One of the most exciting parts of the journey was bringing Ava and the Moon Rabbit to life through self-publishing, which I was able to fund with the help of a Kickstarter campaign. Initially I did send the book to many publishers but heard no response. I knew I wanted to make this book a reality - so I turned to crowdfunding. The support from backers was truly overwhelming and inspiring. Kickstarter not only provided the financial resources I needed to cover printing and production costs, but it also connected me with a community of people who believed in the project.

Running the Kickstarter campaign required careful planning—creating engaging content, crafting rewards for supporters, and sharing my creative process with potential backers. It became more than just a fundraising effort; it was a way to build excitement and a sense of involvement among the people who helped make the book a reality. I was able to offer sticker sheets personalised thank-you notes, and even limited-edition prints, which made the journey even more personal for everyone involved.

Challenges and Discoveries

One of the biggest challenges was ensuring that the illustrations enhanced the story without overwhelming it. Picture books require a delicate balance between text and visuals. I found myself constantly refining both aspects, asking questions like, “Does this illustration add to Ava’s journey?” and “Is the text clear enough for a very young child to understand?”

There were also unexpected discoveries. For example, while drawing the moon rabbit, I played with different shapes and forms until I found a design that felt just right—something ethereal yet grounded. Ava's form came to me almost instantly - I had been sketching her on and off for a few years.

Another unexpected discovery came during the Kickstarter process. The enthusiasm and feedback from backers helped shape some final elements of the book. Knowing there was a community eager to see Ava’s journey gave me new energy to bring the best possible version of the story to life.

Final Thoughts on Creating a Children's Book

Creating Ava and the Moon Rabbit was a labour of love. It allowed me to explore themes of curiosity, friendship, and the magic of the unknown through both words and illustrations. I hope that readers—young and old—can feel a sense of wonder as they journey alongside Ava, and perhaps even find themselves looking up at the moon with a newfound sense of curiosity.

For me, the process of creating this book was as magical as the story itself. It began when I was in a rather bad place mentally, and to see it now in print (with the help of my lovely backers on Kickstarter!) is really touching.

I also started my masters in children's publishing right at the end of this project, so you can be sure to see more children's books from me in the future! Keep up to date with me by signing up for my email list (I won't spam!) and following me on instagram.

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