Preface:

I have decided to create a children’s picture book for my chosen genre.  My story fits the conventions of this genre by using colorful images, rhyming, and relatable characters found by the ocean.  I decided to reject the convention of using human characters and to tell my story through sea creatures.  My hope is that this story will teach children that the things that make you different are also what makes you special.  I want children to see the differences in the characters, whether it be their size, colors, or other features.  Then I want them to understand that even though they are different from each other, they still belong.  The characters in my book are Frederick the freckled Turtle, Carl the crab, Sally the starfish, Sophia the seahorse, Sammy the snail, Oliver the octopus, Otto the oyster, Jack the jellyfish, Clyde the clownfish, Silvia the shark, Simon the stingray, Poppy the pufferfish, Larry the lobster and Faye the flamingo.  These are all different creatures to be found in the ocean or near the ocean but are all different in their own way.  I decided to draw my own character illustrations, just  to show these characters are all different and unique.