Books full of CHARACTER

LEE CURRIE CHATS TO TWO YOUNG MOTHERS WHO HAVE TURNED THEIR TRAVEL ADVENTURES INTO PERSONALISED CHILDREN’S BOOKS – ALL IN THE NAME OF ENCOURAGING READING AND OPENING LITTLE PEOPLE’S EYES TO THE WORLD

Fortunately, despite our advanced digital age, printed books have not yet lost their appeal. Indeed, for many children the sight and feel (and smell) of a brand-new book still generates pleasant anticipation, if not excitement – and particularly if the child is the lead character in the story.

With this concept in mind, friends Isabelle Backx and Shannon Vermaak took the opportunity during lockdown to start their own personalised children’s book publishing business. The idea was born when Shannon began illustrating a personalised book for her four-year-old twins. Isabelle – who has a Master’s Degree in Business Economics – was immediately taken by the idea: “At the time I was looking for something different to do and saw this as a business opportunity.

“We started on our first book during the lockdown period early in 2020 when people were obliged to stay at home. Many of us had previously taken the freedom of travel for granted and Shannon and I had many discussions about the places we had seen and those we still wanted to explore. We thought, why not bring the world to children through our books?”

Each book is personalised, where the name of the young “protagonist” and his or her image features throughout the story. The illustrations are unique; hand-drawn and painted with water colours. “We entitled the book Discover the World. It’s a story in which children become the lead character and at the same time find out what he or she can do in different countries and learn about the culture.

It’s a story in which children become the lead character and at the same time find out what he or she can do in different countries and learn about the culture

Starting young – Isabelle reads a story to Noah about his big brother Connor.

“Children can be the harshest critics so we read the book to some of our friend’s children. They loved the idea and we found that their favourite country was the USA where they got to hang out with the Disney characters and fly to the moon in a rocket,” laughs Isabelle.

The pair named their business Putchie and Boo, inspired by their children’s nicknames. Isabelle focuses on the writing and marketing while Shannon perfects the illustrations.

Isabelle and her husband Roeland are from Belgium, having arrived in Durban in 2017, Roeland on contract, and the couple live at Mount Edgecombe. In January this year, Isabelle gave birth to Noah, now 11 months old.

“I’m really loving the flexibility of being a mother and selfemployed in a business relating to children, creating books inspired by our own children. With the combination of my business knowledge and Shannon’s creativity we are ready for a bright future with Putchie and Boo.”

FOR MORE INFO www.putchieandboo.com

Shannon, Connor, Quade, Noah and Isabelle share happy time together.