ANIMALS have always been a part of graphic designer and artist Kylie Howarth's life, from growing up in Harvey with emus and orphaned joeys, to backpacking adventures with all kinds of underwater experiences.
After deciding to be a stay-at-home mum when she and husband Dane welcomed their two sons Beau (3) and Jack (1) in to the world, Howarth's love for her children, animals, art, music and literature took her on another journey.
She is now the newly published author and illustrator of children's picture book, Fish Jam.
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READ NOW"Writing and illustrating children's books was a natural progression for my career to take, considering I read several a day with my kids," Howarth said.
�It didn't seem like work and was really enjoyable.
"I always have to have a creative outlet and while at home with two kids, this absolutely filled that need."
The book follows a jazzy little fish called Toot who is having trouble finding a friend to play with until something unexpected happens.
Howarth said she had dedicated the book to her sons who helped her create some of the textures in it.
"We have what we call �backyard art sessions" and you can see a lot of the textures in it if you have a close look,� she said.
�We�ve painted with bubble wrap, painted leaves and did some potato stamping to create bubbles in one scene.
"It's so special to me that their input is in there as well as mine."
Howarth said the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) had been instrumental in supporting her through the process and she was already scheduled for readings through to Book Week in August.
"I hope Fish Jam is enjoyable for children and parents to read together," she said.
"My little boys love doing the sounds in it and music can play a huge role in developing children's literacy and language skills."
Howarth said she had three different stories she was working on for her next book
"I was in Rottnest the other week and everywhere I go, I take my sketchbook and write down ideas," she said.
�A lot of it is just things my boys are interested in, like fish and the ocean, because we spend a lot of time at the beach.
"They inspire me, but it's always animals, and there's often a whale in it."
Fish Jam is available now.
Tanya MacNaughton