Olivier Latyk has illustrated Petit poussin visite la ferme (“Little Chick Visits the Farm”), one of two new titles he has created for Les Tournidoux, a novelty board book series from Père Castor-Flammarion for babies and toddlers aged 0-2.

Each Tournidoux book comes with a little wooden figure that spins. Children can turn it and take it with them as the story moves along, so the book is something to play with as well as read. In this title, the figure is Petit Poussin, a chick on a gentle tour of the farmyard, meeting the animals who live there. The text is by Estelle Vidard.

The series suits Olivier well. Over many years in French and international children’s publishing he has moved easily between picture books, classic retellings such as Mowgli de la Jungle for Flammarion Jeunesse, and character-led design for toys and games. Les Tournidoux draws on all of that. It needs strong character design, an understanding of how a book is held and handled, and illustrations that sit comfortably alongside a physical, tactile object.

See more of Olivier Latyk’s children’s book illustration in his portfolio.