A studio service
First words, one clear picture at a time.
Babies and toddlers learn words by pointing. A first words book needs one object per picture, drawn simply on a plain background, in colours a young child can see clearly. We illustrate them for publishers, teachers and parents.
N° 01Clarity over detail
Clarity over detail
Each word gets a single object or action with no clutter around it.
N° 02Themes
Themes
Home, food, animals, vehicles, body parts, clothes and colours, or your own word list.
N° 03Two languages
Two languages
Bilingual first words books with both words set as editable text, including right-to-left scripts such as Arabic or Urdu.
N° 04How it is made
How a book like this comes together.
01
Words grouped by theme
Words that belong together share a spread: things at the table, things in the bath, things outside.
02
The most familiar view
Each object is shown whole, from the side a child usually sees it.
03
The word in the same place
The word sits in the same position, size and typeface on every page.
04
A background that contrasts
Each page has one flat background colour chosen to set the object apart.
05
Page count set by the format
Board book printers offer fixed page counts. We plan the word list to the count your printer offers, within the 12 pages of the Little Book.
N° 05What goes wrong
Common mistakes, and how to avoid them.
01
A picture that could be two things
A cup that might be a mug or a bowl does not match its word. We draw the plainest version of each object and you check every sketch against the list.
02
A word your readers do not use
The same object has different names in different countries. You confirm the word list for your readers and we set it as supplied.
03
Art too close to the edge
Board pages are trimmed and often have rounded corners. Pictures and words stay inside the safe area on your printer's template.
04
A second language squeezed in
Adding a second word after the page is designed makes both hard to read. Space for both words is planned from the first sketch, including right-to-left scripts.
N° 06Your brief
What to send us to get started.
You do not need all of it. Send what you have and we will ask in writing for anything missing.
• The word list, in page order
• The language or languages, with every word typed exactly
• Board book or paperback
• Trim size, or your printer's template if you have chosen a printer
• Theme groups, if you have them
• Any object that should look a particular way for your readers
N° 07Peek inside
Pages like these.
Sample artwork made by Kompanie to show the kind of pages we make. Not client work.
N° 08Investment
Three packages, fixed prices.
Little Book
From $1,125
Board books, first-words books and short picture books. 4–5 weeks.
- Up to 2 characters, with a character sheet
- Up to 12 pages and 8 illustrations
- Cover illustration and title lettering
- One revision round on sketches
- Print-ready PDF and ebook cover
Picture Book
From $2,175
A full 32-page picture book. 6–8 weeks.
- Up to 3 characters, with character sheets
- 15 illustrations plus cover
- Two revision rounds per illustration
- Endpapers and title page
- Print-ready PDF and fixed-layout ebook
Big Book
From $3,675
Longer books, nonfiction, cookbooks and books for older readers. 8–12 weeks.
- Up to 4 characters plus settings
- Up to 30 illustrations
- Diagrams, maps or step-by-step art where needed
- Two revision rounds per illustration
- Print-ready PDF, EPUB and fixed-layout ebook
Before you choose
What you get
- A fixed price for the scope listed
- Sketches or a first draft to approve before anything is final
- Print-ready and editable files, yours to keep
What we don’t do
- Writing or editing the story
- Printing and shipping
- ISBN, publishing account setup or marketing
- Translation
Extra pages, slides or revision rounds are quoted before we start them.
N° 09Questions
The answers we give most often.
- How many words fit?
- Send your word list. Up to 8 full-page pictures fit the Little Book; longer lists are drawn as smaller pictures and quoted before we start.
- Board book or paperback?
- Either. We set the files to your printer's template.
- Who chooses the typeface?
- We suggest a clear typeface with simple letter shapes and you approve it with the sketches. For other scripts, you check that every letter is set correctly.
- Can the same pictures be used for another language later?
- The words are set as text, apart from the pictures, so the art can carry another language. You supply the words; translation is not included.
- How many pages should a board book have?
- Your printer decides. Board book printers offer set page counts, so send the template or the options before we plan the word list.
Start your book
Ready to make your book?
Tell us what you're making. You'll get a fixed price and a schedule within two business days.