STORY DEVELOPMENT
THE BEETLE AND THE DUNG

Here, you can find out more about the research and preparation I did and how I decided on my story.

As part of the development process in creating the story of The Beetle and The Dung, I read dozens of children’s books from the UK and countries around the world…

Some of the titles that inspired me in style and character development during this project’s journey:

How to Catch a Star by Oliver Jeffers 2004
The Night Iceberg by Helen Stephens 2010
The Dark by Lemony Snicket and Jon Klassen 2013
Room on the Broom by Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler 2002
Mr Tiger Goes Wild by Peter Brown 2014
The Worst Princess by Anna Kemp & Sara Ogilvie 2012
The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler 1999

The amazing imagination and creativity of different authors and illustrators inspired me and gave me confidence to explore a story that draws from my own experience.

ABOUT BARTHOLOMEW

Bartholomew is a small creature, often overlooked by larger animals, and he is rather lonely and proud.
When he sets himself an impossible task to prove his strength, Bartholomew realises he can’t do everything on his own.
His story is about learning to accept help and give help, and the friendship that can grow from this.

My aim is to create a 32-page book that’s full of colour and creatures that inhabit a distinctive and wonderful world.
I’m hoping that the style of story will be in rhyming couplets of iambic pentameter (that’s 10 beats per line) and as a dyslexic artist that’s quite a challenge!

With the help of established author and illustrator Thomas Docherty, who is also dyslexic, I have been able to write my story in about 600 words.

Bartholomew The Beetle development is funded thanks to a grant from the Arts Council Wales Creative Steps initiative.

With mentoring support from author and illustrator Thomas Docherty.