Tag Archives: scientific illustration

Front and Back Mermaid Book Covers

ABC cover big MS sept 17tuna can bio 2

I would love to say that I do not judge a book by it’s cover but that would be a complete lie.

When perusing bookshelves I look, I judge and I pick up what looks interesting.

A book cover is the first impression you give to your reader. “Hello there, evaluate my choice of font and color preference and then pick me up!” the book cover yells visually from the shelf, hoping to woo its perfect reader, enticing them to reach out and touch you.

My target audience is the kid interested in the ocean and mermaid information. I’m also looking for parents, aunties, uncles and friends looking for the perfect gift for their little loved one, a gift that they will both enjoy and learn something productive.

Pink, flowery ridiculousness with modern fonts ooze and overflow in the girly section but this project represents something different. So here you have it: tropical blues and greens and the old school type used by the likes of Shel Silverstein and the Dewey Decimal system. Crossing fingers and toes.

ABC cover draft
Simple Cover sept21Cover simple sept16

T is for Turtle

sea turtle by makeyev

T is for The Green Sea Turtle

Scientific name: Chelonia mydas

Pawikan

I am a Green Sea Turtle and  turtles are reptiles.

I munch on tasty sea grass shoots.

I glide through the ocean hunting delicious jellyfish.

I can hold my breath for 7200 seconds, That is 2 whole hours.

Unlike land turtles, I am super fast!

With a flick of my fins away I go

Away to the places only sea turtles know.

J is for Jellyfish loving Juvenile Jack

jack aka golden trevally

J is for Jellyfish loving Juvenile Jack

Scientific name: Gnathanodon speciosus

Tagalog: Leson & Labong Labong

Juvenile Jacks love Giant Jellyfish.

They have tough skin so the jellyfish tentacles only sting a little bit.

Having jellyfish protection when a big fish wants to eat you is worth a little sting.

This bright yellow jack is also known as Golden Trevally and like most trevally, they get HUGE.

Jacks are truly a « Jack of all trades ». Jacks patrol their reef, but they can also compete in the open ocean or expore sandy shallows or swim around the mangroves.

They are large and in charge predators and even boss around the reef sharks.

At least they are once they grow up, and to do that they have to survive with tricks like swimming with jellyfish.

G is for Grouper

Coral Grouper
Lapu Lapu

The Coral Grouper

Tagalog: Lapu Lapu

Scientific name:  Cephalopholis miniata

The Grouper is a cruiser.

Her job is to patrol, ponder and protect her piece of reef from other big predators. Her flashy colors won’t betray her. The deeper she patrols away from the sunlight, the more her brilliant red fades away, blending her into this homey reef background until she is almost invisible.  This is perfect for sneaking up on intruders or surprising tasty unsuspecting morsels.