For years and years I dreamed about writing and illustrating a children’s picture book. I didn’t know exactly what the story would be, but I always knew if my write-a-children’s-book-dream was to come true, I would call it Twirl.
If you are a blog reader from the Jones Design Company days, you might remember this blog post (from 2010!) where I first mentioned what the word twirl meant to me.
If you listen to The Happy Hour with Jamie Ivey, you may have heard us talk about this book dream of mine when I shared the title way back in 2015.
If you’ve read Freely and Lightly, you know just how much the word and, more importantly, the meaning behind the word, has had in shaping the journey to finding peace in being just who God created me to be.
And now, I’m so excited to share this dream-come-true book with you!
Meet Twirl, a sweet story with adorable characters, charming illustrations and a message that all little (and big!) girls need to hear: God is so delighted by you being just who He made you to be.
I can not wait to tell you so much more about this sweet book – the story behind the story, the process of illustrating and watching it all come together. But for today, let’s talk about the cover!
the cover
I’m one of those that definitely chooses a book by its cover (you too?!) and it felt especially important for a children’s picture book.
A cover of a picture book must be eye-catching, it has to make both a parent and a child want to pick it up and open it, it needs to look cute on a bookshelf (that my requirement at least!) and it should at least give a hint about what to expect inside.
After finishing all of the illustrations, it was time to design the perfect cover for Twirl that hopefully hit all of the picture book cover criteria.
I’m not sure if this is how it is normally done, but because I did the illustrations, I also came up with an assortment of cover ideas to share with my publishing team. Would you like to see them?!
As you can see, coming up with just one option was impossible 🙂
I played with layout first. Did we like a patterned background with just a peek at the characters? Or a full scene?
While I love the simplicity of the first row of options, it was unanimous between the friends I showed the samples to and my publishing team that the grassy hill and tree scene was more eye-catching.
From there we moved to poses. Did we like Audrey twirling with her back to us? Or that kick-y pose? Nope, neither felt quite right so I painted a new version with her holding the skirt of her dress and that one was the winner.
Then we went into the little details: watercolor background or just a few clouds? Flowers in the foreground or keep it simple? Title curved or straight across?
And finally, we had to figure out the font choices. I’ll tell you more about that in another post.
After lots of back and forth and tiny adjustments (you guys, I am sure my publisher rolled their eyes a hundred times at my overly-detailed requests) we landed on the final, final, final cover.
Isn’t it cute?!
I’ll have much more to share about Twirl in the upcoming weeks as well as special gifts and surprises that you won’t want to miss.
Thank you so much for your excitement about this project. I truly can not wait for you to hold this book in your hands, read it to the little girls in your life and share it with friends.
I’d love to answer any questions you have about the book or the process … ask away!
This is absolutely adorable! My daughter is 18 but I’m ordering one for our home library. I can’t resist!! Congratulations!!!
It is absolutely DARLING!!! Cannot wait to get this for my girls!
Absolutely DARLING!!
I love the cover you chose! Her holding out her little skirt looks like she just got done with a twirl and feels so happy. I have two daughters and they just wanted to twirl and twirl in their pretty dresses! It seemed innate in them from the beginning! We were at the library all the time taking home bags of books to read and we would definitely have picked up this one based on the cover alone! Can’t wait to read it!
This is great feedback! Thank you!
Oh Emily, I am so very excited about your new book! I just placed my pre-order but I have a feeling I’ll be placing more! Can’t wait to read it to my twin granddaughters!👧🏻👧🏻
Thank you! I hope the girls love it!
So so beautiful! Congratulations Emily!
I can already think of so many little girls I want to buy this for! Myself included. You are twirling his light and love and grace so beautifully, Emily!
Thank you so much!
So excited for you Emily! I’ve been following your Jones design company blog for years and just love your creativity and love for God! I just placed a pre-order because the cover is beautiful and eye catching, the story sounds precious, I know my 6yr old daughter will love it and I want to support you! I’ve had a children’s book idea for a couple of years now and knowing that your dream came true gives me hope for mine! Thank you for being an inspiration and light to all!
I love, love, love this Emily, everything about it I love!💛. Can not wait to hold it and read it and savor each page, so very excited!
I love your artwork and your Blog! I love being on your email list!! I am excited to read this lovely book! Thank you for sharing your cover selection process. Your chosen cover is delightful!!
Thank you!
Hi!
I’m going to pre-order this book for my first granddaughter who came in the wold on Monday of this week. Is it possible to have you to autograph a book for her?
Congratulations! Let me think about how to get signed copies … I’ll check with my publisher to see if this is something we can do!
Love it!!! Can’t wait to order it for my girls.
Hi Emily,
Very cute cover on the book. What girl’s age group is the book for? Is there a sneak peak of the inside. Curious on what the story is about. The blog post mainly talks about the design but no details on the story.
You can read much more about the book at emilylex.com/twirl and at amazon. I’ll share more details and peeks at the inside soon!
Beyond excited to get this for my first niece, arriving in August!
Oh it will be perfect!
Can’t wait it will be my granddaughters birthday gift
It will be part of my granddaughter’s birthday gift , it looks so cute
Oh, how thrilling!! It’s so sweet. I’m so happy for you, I have been reading your blog since your Audrey was a baby (I have a girl the same age) and it is magical to see this long time dream come true for you. Congratulations, I can’t wait to read it!
Is Audrey’s name in the book? The main character?
Thank you Brittney!
And, yes 🙂 The little girl is named Audrey.
Congratulations! It’s beautiful! 🐇
Can’t wait to get this for my little girl! She has been twirling since the day she could! Your art and everything you’ve created is so beautiful!
This is so exciting! One of my life dreams as well! Adding this to our registry for baby girl. Congratulations on your new books this year! What a wonderful new season for you (and for all of us who get to enjoy).
Thank you Katie! And congratulations on a new baby girl!
What a great day for a book release! My birthday and if memory serves me correct yours too?! Excited for this book. Love your first one!
Yes! It will be such a fun way to celebrate!
Ooo, I Cannot wait to get this! I just preordered it (I have 5 girls and this one is going to be for my red-headed Audrey who dearly loves to wear dresses and twirl). I can’t wait to surprise her! I’ve been following you since your Audrey was a baby and I remember that twirl post. Thank you for taking us on your journey ♥️
It’s perfect for her!! And for all of your girls 🙂
I love everything about it! I can’t wait to see more of it:) Great job Emily!!
This is so exciting!!! The cover is beautiful! My copy is ordered and I will anxiously await its arrival! Congratulations on making a dream come true!
We have an 18 month old twirler who is so surprised with each twirl. Looking forward to reading this to her
Congratulations on making your dream come true! The cover is beautiful!!! Can’t wait to hear more about it.
My inner “little girl” needs to TWIRL once again! Love the cover Emily! I’m a long time JDC fan and I’m so excited to see this come to life!!! Congratulations!
Oh I am right there with you!
I am so excited!! It is Beautiful!! I have 8 daughters (out of 9 children) to share it with : ) I have almost finished reading Freely and Lightly (for the first time) and I cannot think of another time when a book has been so timely -and connected with my heart so perfectly ❤️ Thank you for sharing your journey – I am so encouraged! 🤗
I’m so glad that F&L has been such a good read for you! Thank you! I can’t wait for you to enjoy Twirl next.
Congratulations on a dream come true and all the hard work you did to accomplish it! I like the chosen pose best because it is an action any child would do. Looking forward to more posts about your book.
Thank you Mary! I think she looks pretty cute – almost like she’s curtsy-ing.
That is absolutely adorable. I can hardly wait to get my hands on your book. Congratulations!
Thank you so much!
Congratulations, Emily! So cute!
So excited to read this to my girls.
Want to paint with colored pencils all the are pages to try. I am new at this. My Daughter (Tammy Lindsay) oedered some things from you for me.
Could you please e-mail me the link to print off the pages. Love the little book, so sweet.
lizj44@charter.net
Thanks in advance