Explore the World of The Leaflings, a Fascinating Creation by Owen Churcher and Niamh Sharkey.
Commandeering the Concept: Owen Churcher and Niamh Sharkey's Leaflings Expedition
So there I was, me and Niamh, sparking up our creative firestorms over coffees and doodles, hunkering down in a cozy Skerries coffee shop.
You see, we weren't just any ordinary duo — we were picture-book maestros, laden with laptops, notebooks, and a shared ambition to do something extraordinary. Our goal: erect an empire of mind-bending picture books that would tantalize the young and young-at-heart.
Idea generation was our playground, a realm where our imagination reined supreme. Gone were the constraints of expectations and marketing schemes; only the boundless freedom of pure, unadulterated creativity shone brighter than a thousand suns.
Niamh, being the seasoned wordsmith and visionary illustrator she was, boasted a vast arsenal of masterpieces under her belt. Awards and acclaim? Bah, just a smattering of accolades here and there, as her Wikipedia entry would divulge.
Our newfound collaboration was more than just a side project. Married for 20 years, we were embarking on a fresh creative adventure together. And Niamh, ever the diligent architect, began to weave together some mock books destined for the prestigious international Bologna Children's Book Fair.
A Field Guide to Leaflings, however, wasn't among those sample books.
Nestled in Niamh's age-worn, dog-eared sketchbook, the leaflings languished, gazing at us with wide, inviting eyes. These curious creatures bore resemblances to the beloved Minions, with their hands spread open, a silent plea that said: "Eureka! Bring us to life! Give us a world of our very own." And grow we did, from a mere sparkle to a dazzling flame, as the leaflings' allure whetted our creative appetites.
The sparkle wasn't fancy — just a smattering of typed pages and doodles that hinted at these creatures' appearance. Yet, it was enough to garner interest from creative minds eager to contribute and help craft this fantastical universe.
Make no mistake; a little charisma can go a long way. The leaflings proved to be charismatic, igniting an infectious curiosity and leaving ample room for imagination to weave its magic.
As our team slowly grew, it became apparent that a picture book is more than a solitary endeavor — it takes a village, or at least, a dedicated team to turn an idea into a masterpiece.
Unsurprisingly, the perfect home awaited the leaflings in the form of Templar, a renowned publisher.
And as it turned out, their home would be none other than our own backyards and parks—the leaflings had chosen to dwell among us ordinary folk, their emerald branches and twinkling eyes a delightful surprise in the mundane world.
Keep your eyes peeled, and your ears to the ground; you never know when you might stumble upon the elusive, captivating leaflings. Your very own garden or local park might be teeming with them, and Leafling Central could very well be just around the corner.
A Field Guide to Leaflings created by the dynamic duo, Owen Churcher and Niamh Sharkey, will be gracing bookshelves worldwide on October 21, 2021.
For more up-to-date information about the book and its creators, check out Owen Churcher's Instagram account, where he shares behind-the-scenes glimpses of his creative process.
Books nestled in dé temporis, waiting to be discovered by eager readers,The Leaflings' tale, an entertaining masterpiece, bursting with vibrant illustrations and captivating stories.
