It's a Nice Day, Mommy by Stephanie Adams
“It’s Nice to Be a Mommy” by Stephanie Adams is a heartwarming children’s book that celebrates the joys and wonders of motherhood. Through engaging storytelling and charming illustrations, it captures the magic of a mother’s love in a way that delights both parents and children.
DELIVERABLES
- Character Design
- Book Illustration
OBJECTIVES
A passion project from a family friend who wanted to see greater representation of individuals like herself in children’s literature. She envisioned a book that reflected her and her daughter as everyday people, creating a meaningful impact in the industry for young Black girls. The character designs were directly based on them, making the project highly personal and culturally significant.
To meet the objectives for It’s a Good Day, Mommy, the first step was designing the characters based on photo references and outfit preferences provided by the author. I requested 3-4 additional children’s books that showcased artwork they found appealing to help narrow down the visual style. The goal was to create simple, clear illustrations with a focus on key characteristics, such as hairstyles, that would make the characters relatable for young POC readers. Once the characters were finalized, I applied the same style to the book’s interior and cover illustrations, maintaining consistency throughout the project.
The illustrations in the book highlight simple activities, such as going for a walk in the park or having pancakes for breakfast, showcasing inclusivity in everyday moments and adventurous through the eyes of a child. To emphasize the characters and interactive elements, I used vibrant, bolder colors, while opting for lighter or dulled tones for the background and environment. Two fonts were selected: one for dialogue and another for narrative text, helping children clearly distinguish between the two and enhancing their reading experience.