The initial prompt was fairly open-ended: the directors wanted the image to have an “organic and handmade” quality inspired by Mexican folk art. They suggested focusing on the sun and lizard characters, as did the original book covers (shown above), and keeping the image simple and child-friendly. In response, I put together a mood board heavily inspired by both Mexican handcrafts—particularly the vibrantly patterned papier-mâché alebrijes—and the handpainted collage style of illustrators like Eric Carle.
The final illustration is simple but vibrant, full of texture and character, and nods to both the story’s folkloric roots and the production’s handmade puppets and costumes. I hope it’s appealing not only to young children, but to audiences of every age. Below are a selection of promotional posters and web images using the finished design.
