A picture book illustrated by Marina Luca, based on a short story written by Peter R. Richards
Length
34 pages/1,014 words
Reading age
9+
Language
English
Genre
Horror/Mystery
Short Description
During one of their hiking adventures, a young boy and his cat friend come across a bizarre place in the forest: a clearing with a large rock at its center. Driven by curiosity, the boy interacts with the surrounding objects and unintentionally triggers a haunting event.
He hears chanting outside his bedroom window for several nights until the story takes a dramatic turn. The boy then embarks on a journey of courage and bravery as he overcomes the challenges thrown his way.
Illustrations
Pages 2-3
Pages 8-9
Pages 22-23
About the Project
In 2020, I was a student of Advertising Graphics at the "George Enescu" National University of Arts in Iasi, Romania. My primary focus was on book illustration and poster design. As the third year of my study drew to a close, I had to prepare a project for my final, and most important, exam. Prior to this project, I had already illustrated two picture books - Puss in Boots by Charles Perrault in my first year and Diana, the goddess of hunting and the moon, in my second year of study.
I decided to take a different approach and create a horror book for children. I was inspired by a story written by Peter R. Richards, which I came across while listening to scary stories and podcasts. The story was shared on various platforms by different people. After a lot of hard work, I managed to turn a 7,000-word story into a 1,000-word picture book that effectively captures the reader's (or viewer's) attention.
The illustrations were digitally painted in Procreate using an iPad + Apple Pen. They were then printed on 80gsm paper to create the prototype of the book. The process of creating the text block involved cutting the double pages to size, folding them in half, then sticking them orderly. This technique gives the pages a comfortable thickness. Each page measures 21cm in width and 26cm in height.
The cover was constructed using cardboard with a thickness of 2,5mm and it exceeds the measurements of a page by a few millimeters.
Along with minor grammatical errors that have been fixed and some sentences that have been rephrased, some other elements of the book have been updated in 2024, such as the book cover:
Back cover - sample
Book cover, 2024
Book cover, 2020
And the endsheets:
Digital Flipbook
The final project can be viewed virtually below:
(best viewed on desktop!)
Marketing Idea
As a part of the same project, I was required to create a small object to be used for advertising purposes to accompany the book. I decided to create a small lamp that resembles the rock, which is one of the most significant and striking elements of the book.
The lamp, built on a larger scale and enriched with details such as its symbols, can attract potential customers as an eye-catching display in a bookstore. The following pictures act as mockups:
Publishing the book around Halloween time (or as the month is approaching) would be optimal, given its genre.
Final Notes
The horror genre can serve as a valuable source of instruction, especially for children who often experience anxiety. The bravery and resourcefulness of the protagonists in the face of terrifying circumstances can instill confidence and strength in young viewers, empowering them to overcome their own difficulties.
Children are often drawn to this genre due to its vivid and captivating visuals, as well as the unique creatures and settings portrayed in them. Moreover, the protagonist's journey, from the beginning until the end, is filled with challenges that help them grow and develop. As a result, children experience the story through the eyes of the characters, witnessing their transformations and learning valuable life lessons.
"The Chanting in the Woods" is a picture book designed for children, which teaches them about bravery and strength through a combination of rich illustrations and engaging characters. However, the book's appeal extends beyond children, as it is not just a short story but also an art piece, making it suitable for people of all ages.
I spend most of my time observing my surroundings, taking in the views, and mindfully breathing. That’s how my art is born.