Introducing… The Elephants Trunk
Championing diversity in children’s literature is a challenge for today’s publishers. Many children do not feel ‘seen’ in the stories that they read. While there has been a general shift towards more representation, the market is still some way short of the mark. Thankfully Teresa and Derek Bellamy may have devised a unique and wonderful solution to this task.
Teresa – an author with experience in caring for people with disabilities, and as a nurse specialising in intellectual disability, alongside her husband and business partner Derek – have created a new children’s publishing company called The Elephants Trunk. One of the many slogans that can be found on The Elephants Trunk website is “Celebrating the differences and strengths in all children”. And here lies the key attraction to this brand new publishing company. The child reader, whoever they are, becomes the main character in the book they read.
Using the ‘Comprehensive Character Creator’ tool, readers are able to create an illustrated version of themselves, choose their own name, and even add their own personalised message at the start of the book. This allows them to take centre stage and become the star of the show. Occupying the brightly coloured and upbeat world of Bellingham Village, these newly built custom characters then embark on a series of imaginative and beautifully written adventures, where their personal physical attributes are showcased and celebrated on every page. This means that none who partake are made to feel inadequate or marginalised. Quite the opposite in fact.
The ‘Comprehensive Character Creator’ tool contains a deep variety of hair, skin colour, clothing and facial features. On top of this, there is an added assortment of glasses, walking aids, a guide-dog and wheelchair feature, and also additional features for children smaller than the average height or for children with Down’s Syndrome. It is also a unisex tool, meaning the traditional terms of ‘boy’ and ‘girl’ used by many other children’s publishers are eliminated to provide a broader and more diverse concept of gender identity.
Though already impressively extensive in The Elephants Trunk’s early life as a publisher, the site contains a written promise to expand this visual database even further in the future, so no child, no matter their appearance or disability, feels excluded at any point.
As quoted at their About us section:
“Our team at The Elephants Trunk is very conscious of the lack of inclusion and diversity in children’s books, which isn’t fair. We are all human, and that’s what makes us all the same, but it also makes us all different and unique, born with differing needs, born with the ability to grow and change, and born with the need to belong and to be included.”
Current books on the website include an inspiring story for the festive season, Starlight’s Christmas Adventure, a collection of personalised ABC Animal Alphabet learning books, and the heart-warming Three Naughty Bunnies, a story narrated by the reader’s own custom character. Each book has been written by Teresa Bellamy, and illustrated by Sarah-Leigh Wills. Readers will quickly notice the friendly vibrant visuals and adorable character design used in these distinct titles, not to mention the ever-expanding land of Bellingham Village. Each storybook opens with a map of this fun and friendly village, charting all the places of interest, including a beach, a castle, a deep dark forest, and of course, the house where the reader lives.
One of the most striking books, both visually and in storytelling terms, is their flagship title, The Name That Blew Away. In this book, the ‘Character Creator Tool’ allows the name of the child reading to play an integral part in the story, or more specifically, the individual letters of that name. After this name gets blown away in a gust of wind, the custom character, with the help of a kind robin, must locate each letter by journeying around Bellingham Village Zoo and meeting a cast of friendly animals to help in the search. The story is complete once every letter has been found, meaning the entire story is unique and custom-built to every child reading it. It’s a work of genius, and an engaging experience for kids and grown-ups alike.
All books are available to buy now, but even if you have no immediate plans to purchase, it’s still worth heading over to the Browse Section to try out the ‘Character Creator Tool for yourself’. It’s great fun. Readers can create their character and preview the full story online before deciding whether or not to make a final purchase.
Every book is printed on sustainably forested paper from low-energy printing equipment, and packaged in recycled paper. Proceeds will also go to a selection of charities including, the Jack and Jill Children’s Foundation, the Dundalk Dog Rescue and Work For Good, through which they will be donating to the Great Ormand Street Children’s Charity. Those interested might also like to know that multiple purchases warrant a 15% discount from the complete order.
It’s early days for The Elephants Trunk and their delightful fictional world of Bellingham Village, but this project already exudes an earnest passion for entertaining and inspiring children, while ensuring that all are made to feel welcome with acceptance of their individual differences. With the website’s catalogue and features set to grow ever larger, the anticipation to discover what this project delivers in the seasons to come is great. In the meantime, those looking to treat the children in their lives with a surprisingly personalised reading experience are advised to visit The Elephants Trunk.
It’s great to see a new children’s publisher bringing some well-needed warmth and positivity into the world, as well as delivering such a strong and kind-hearted mission statement.
For all the latest news from The Elephants Trunk, check out their Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages. You can also visit their Contact Us page to get in touch and find out more information.
