The doodle bug

Have you been dreaming since early childhood of how to be the best bubble writer in the world ever? Well Linda Scott’s new book, How to be the Best Bubble Writer in the World Ever, can teach you how to be just that.

The book, published by Laurence King, is also a good example of how illustrators can turn seemingly basic skills into publishing ventures.

Scott was inspired to write the book from her own children’s’ response to trying to write bubble letters and unusual alphabet shapes.  ‘The great thing about writing like this is that there is no wrong way to do it – if your letters are all different sizes and really wobbly it really doesn’t matter – this just becomes your style,’ says Scott.

‘It’s a very “inclusive” activity. I am also a massive fan of encouraging kids to get the pens out and draw.’

Scott’s approach to teaching budding bubble writers subtly draws on the working of children’s’ minds, in the hope that the book will help youngsters express themselves.

‘After about the age of 12 children become really self aware for the first time and express this by writing their name over and over again,’ she says.

‘This is perfect for them to start different ways of expressing themselves. Before the age of 12 the children seem happy to write anything. To be honest, even as an adult, it’s the kind of book I would buy as soon as I spotted it on the shelves. I guess some graphic heads and hand-drawn-type nuts (of which there are a many!) will be mildly interested.’

How to Be the Best Bubblewriter in the World Ever by Linda Scott will be published by Laurence King on 9 May, priced at £8.95.