The children's book series making waves before release

A JAN Juc artist’s debut children’s book series has been shortlisted for a UK design award before its first copies have even been printed.

The collection, Earthside, features 12 birth-month board books created by Katerina Larsen and published through Raising Light, the new children’s publishing brand she launched this year.

Inspired by her daughter Lucia, whose name means light, Larsen founded Raising Light to create books, art and experiences that encourage children to develop a strong sense of self and connection to the world around them.

For Larsen, raising conscious kids means fostering strong self-worth and self-awareness from an early age.

“We arrive connected to ourselves, to nature and to the world around us,” Larsen said. “Somewhere along the lines we have become detached from that.”

They feature illustrations by Lisa Vleming and many tactile elements. Photo: Sam Stone.

“There is a lot of focus now on adults reprogramming their inner child; doing a lot of inner work. The idea behind Raising Light and Earthside was ‘What if we fostered that from the very start?'”

Seeing the books become a reality has been particularly rewarding for Larsen.

“It is exploring ideas that I have circled around with my art, with my directing work, and then as a mother,” she said.

“I became increasingly interested in stories that children absorb about who they are.”

The board books are produced using eco-friendly materials and feature illustrations by Los Angeles artist Lisa Vleming.

Each title also incorporates tactile elements and an accompanying soundscape designed to create a multi-sensory experience for young readers.

Raising Light and it’s debut book series Earthside have been created by Surf Coast artist Katerina Larsen.

To help fund the first print run of Earthside, Raising Light has launched a crowdfunding campaign, which reached almost one-third of its target within the first 24 hours.

“The most amazing thing about launching this is seeing how much of a community of parents, and just humans in general, are really interested in this concept and have been looking for something like this with their own kids as well,” Larsen said.

“It is not a small thing to help raise light in the next generation, so that they feel stronger, more confident and connected to themselves and each other.”

Though the books are not due for release until later this year, Earthside has already been shortlisted for the Junior Design Awards UK.

Donations can be made via the project’s Kickstarter campaign.