The Global Kick: A Whimsical Adventure in 'When Tad Kicked Vlad
Author Julian Gough was inspired by a group of children who came up with a story idea during one of his talks. The story they created involved a kick that traveled around the world, leading to the creation of the book "When Tad Kicked Vlad." The story begins with Tad kicking Vlad on his birthday, setting off a chain reaction of kicks that spans the globe and eventually comes full circle back to Tad. The book is illustrated by Ross Collins, who faced the challenge of bringing the chaotic and humorous story to life through detailed and colorful illustrations.
Collins took on the task of illustrating the book by creating intricate drawings that captured the essence of the story. He used a combination of pencil sketches, watercolor, and colored pens to depict the various scenes and characters in the book. The illustrations, reminiscent of The Adventures of Tintin, are clean, well-defined, and filled with humor and action. Collins' attention to detail and ability to convey the chaos of the story through his artwork added depth and visual appeal to the book.
"When Tad Kicked Vlad" is a longer picture book than most, allowing Collins to play with the tempo and layout of the illustrations. He incorporated elements of chaos and humor into the drawings, such as a chicken on an airplane, to enhance the storytelling and engage young readers. The illustrations showcase the journey of the kick as it travels through different settings and scenarios, creating a visually captivating and entertaining experience for readers of all ages.
Overall, "When Tad Kicked Vlad" is a whimsical and imaginative book that combines a clever storyline with vibrant illustrations to bring the story to life. The collaboration between author Julian Gough and illustrator Ross Collins resulted in a unique and engaging picture book that will delight readers and spark their imagination.