Acceptance,
Same & Different,
Body Parts, Multiculturalism
A Graduate of Cooper School of Art, Barb has been Senior Designer at American Greetings for ten years. Her bright, colourful, clean line images are much-sought-after for children's book illustrations and education materials.
This is Barb's second book project with J.R.Poulter. Their first book collaboration was "How Do You Do?" It will be republished later this year in a first Australian edition.
The liveliness and fun in Barb's deceptively simple illustrations may be because, in her other life, Barb is an actress on stage and in film!
Social Media:
TAKARA BEECH, book designer
Illustrator, Story Designer, Artist, Book Creator, Takara Beech illustrates and designs books from picture and middle-grade books to Urban Aerial Yoga books. She is the co-creator of 13 books to be released in 2016 and 2017.
She believes in creating an immersive story experience through extended product design. She loves that you can touch and play and snuggle up in her art and designs.
She has a Bachelor of Arts in Graphic Design and an illustration degree from the ‘school of perseverance and forever learning.’ Takara loves to inspire the imaginations of children and adults through her art and designs. She believes anyone can enjoy painting and the art of creation as a fun, holistic and healing activity.
Social Media: Facebook, Instagram,
Links: Zazzle, Society6, Redbubble, Zazzle Kids,
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LOOK ALIKES?!
BLURB:
DO I look like you?
DO You look like Me?
Are we so different?
Let’s look & see...
A Word Wings rhyming picture book for littlies showing ‘same & different’, it identifies human & animal body parts & demonstrates how, although our skin colour may be different, we are all basically alike!
FIVE STAR REVIEW:
J.R. Poulter’s picture book story,
Look Alikes, is a fun story, told in rhyme and beautifully illustrated by Barb Dragony.
The differences discussed initially present the human child in comparison with an animal in the wild. But the end of the book compares human children through color of skin, whether or not they wear glasses and things that may look different. While the fun-filled rhymes help to intensify the young reader’s skills in observation, the importance of this lesson is that children learn to accept and rejoice in all our differences.
Very powerful message.
Well presented.
Review by Emily-Jane Hills Orford, MA Creative Writing, Award-winning author,
Readers’ Favorite
LIBRARIAN REVIEWS:
Toddlers love rhyming books & love a giggle! This clever rhyming book with a surprise at each page turning will produce lots, as well as reminding [us] we are all different yet, intrinsically, the same. The invitation to “Look in the mirror” gives every reader their own image to end the story. Potential for extending the story with mask making & role play." Maureen O'Shea, Young People's Services Librarian, Noosa
Great concept & I love the simplicity of illustrations & message. The animal comparisons… & the subtle change of skin colour [add] emphasis [to the message]. Kerry Griffith, Children’s Librarian, Moreton Bay
TEACHER REVIEW:
"Look Alikes is a wonderful way to teach children the delightful differences between humans and the wildlife that share our planet. Through rhyme, they are able to appreciate the beauty and uniqueness that exists with every species. It is a fantastic way to introduce children to the early stages of comparison, a common curriculum element taught in Australian schools." Adrienne T. O'Connell, B.A., Grad. Dip. Ed., taught children from indigenous outback to multicultural classrooms in the city.
EDUCATION, ACADEMIC REVIEW:
Look Alikes by J.R.Poulter engages the toddler with a question at the end of each page. It's clever input of a range of animals allows the toddler to differentiate between animals as well as liken themselves to each animal. With J.R.Poulter's use of rhyme and Barb Dragony's bright, simply styled illustrations, toddlers will delight in learning 'same and different' through Look Alikes.
Dr. Gail Crossley-Craven, Educator and Consultant at CC Education & Business Services, author of "Poppy's Walk."
THEMES: stories in rhyme, animals, body parts, jungle animals, same and different, multiculturalism, comparative anatomy