UPDATE: All completed texts are now available
Page 1
‘Do I really have to invite everyone?’ Leo asked his mum.
‘Everyone has to be invited. It's not fair if only one person isn't.’
‘But, mum, he's evil!’
Page 2
All I want is to have a normal birthday party. Presents, games, cake and fun! Is that so much to ask? No one else has to invite the Evil Overlord to THEIR party.
Illustrator notes
Page 1
Leo and his mum are sitting at the table, writing out party invitations to his sixth birthday party. He looks absolutely incredulous when his mum tells him he has to invite everyone.
Page 2
Leo interacts with the reader.
Page 3
The guests started arriving and Leo thanked each of them. Although he was so distracted, he even wished one of his friends ‘happy birthday’. But Leo didn't notice.
Page 4
Of course I didn't. I was waiting for a certain SOMEone to arrive. You know, the Eee-vil one? I had to be on my guard. I wasn't going to let him ruin MY birthday party.
Illustrator notes
Page 3
Leo is vigilantly checking for the Evil Overlord to arrive every time he greets people at the door.
Page 4
Maybe a time lapse of the presents building up along the bottom of the spread.
Interacts with the reader.
Page 5
*Boom Boom Boom*
‘Leo, would you get the door, please?’ Mum called from the kitchen.
Page 6
‘HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LEO.’
Illustrator notes
Page 5
Onomatopoeia of “Boom" goes across the page. The style of the writing conveys how scary the sound is to Leo.
Leo's face shows he is in utter shock as he stares back at his mum, pleading to not have to be the one to open the door.
Page 6
The Evil Overlord stoops through the doorway and his image is the definition of imposing. Perhaps a change in art style to show how different he is to the other guests. Then the Evil Overlord says, “HAPPY BIRTHDAY, LEO”.
Show presents again with an Evil looking present added to the pile.
No interaction with the reader.
Page 7
Leo's mum started gathering the guests for the first game.
Everyone lined up, except for Leo. He watched the Evil Overlord almost as closely as when his dad watches a waiter bring his cheeseburger.
To Leo's dismay, he didn’t even catch the Evil Overlord cheating in any way.
Page 8
WELL, I thought he was going to peek or, or, SOMEthing. Why wouldn't he? He's EVIL!
It WAS pretty funny when he stuck it to the donkey's head, though.
Illustrator notes
Page 7
Leo spies on the Evil Overlord as they play Pin the Tail on the Donkey. Multiple images of Leo from different angles trying to see if he is peeking.
Page 8
Interacts with the reader.
Page 9
The kids sat around in a circle for Pass the Parcel. Leo made sure to sit right next to the Evil Overlord to stop any cheating. However, Leo was so focused on keeping the parcel away from him that he didn’t realise they were the only two who hadn't won a prize.
Page 10
And then he just gives me the last prize! This is the most confusing and diabolical plan I've ever seen. He's so evil!
Illustrator notes
Page 9
A triptych of an image of Leo and the Evil Overlord sitting next to each other on the floor and the Evil overlord receives the parcel. The middle image of him passing it to Leo. The last image of Leo opening the parcel whilst watching the Evil Overlord with a sceptical look on his face. Onomatopoeia on the first image of some music. An ellipsis in the same style on the second image to show the music stopped.
The Evil Overlord looks very large in comparison to Leo.
Page 10
Interacts with the reader.
Page 11
‘EXCUSE ME LEO, WHICH GAME IS NEXT?’ the Evil Overlord asked.
‘Uuuh, the piñata, I think?’
‘OH GOODY’
‘Don’t you mean evil-ly?’ Leo whispered to himself.
Page 12
Because he's evil. Duh!
Illustrator notes
Page 11
The Evil Overlord is towering over Leo when he asks the question. Leo looks very small. You can see Leo’s mum with a bat, getting ready for the game.
Page 12
Interacts with the reader.
Page 13
Leo had the first turn hitting the piñata. He was so focused on the Evil Overlord, that he completely missed and landed upside down on his head.
Each guest had a which at the piñata, and Leo nursed his head while he watched the Evil Overlord closely for any funny business.
‘MY TURN.’
Page 14
So, he's evil AAANND he has a bat!
Illustrator notes
Page 13
Another triptych. This one is of the line progressing with the Evil Overlord at the end, slowly getting to his turn.
Page 14
Interacts with the reader.
Page 15-16
*SMASH*
Illustrator notes
Page 15-16
Two-page spread of the Evil Overlord absolutely decimating the piñata in a vibrant, over-the-top strike. The other children in the background look ecstatic. Leo looks horrified.
Onomatopoeia of “SMASH" written across the page.
No interaction with the reader.
Page 17
All the guests sat around the table with Leo. It was time for cake. Dad turned off the lights and mum hefted the enormous cake out and plonked it in front of Leo.
Everyone started singing but the only voice Leo he heard was the Evil Overlord's.
Page 18
‘HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU,’ the Evil Overlord finished.
Leo was so quick to blow out his candles before the Evil Overlord could, that he forgot to make a wish.
Illustrator notes
One illustration of Leo from the Evil Overlords perspective with the cake between them. One image of the Evil Overlord from Leo's perspective with the cake in between them. Scary looking and imposing looking through the flames of the candles in the darkened room. Demand - eye contact with the reader for both images. The Evil Overlord is smiling.
No interaction with the reader.
Page 19
Each of his guests thanked Leo's parents for having them.
However, Leo could not keep his eyes off the Evil Overlord. He hadn't caught him doing anything evil, yet. And, Leo was determined to catch him in the act.
Page 20
He was bound to do something! HE'S EVIL!
Illustrator notes
Page 19
Leo is standing at the door with his mum saying bye to his friends and guests. The guests are collecting a party bags from the table next to Leo.
Important detail: there is one extra as one guest didn't come.
Page 20
Interacts with the reader.
Page 21
Finally, the Evil Overlord's parents arrive. Leo was relieved but annoyed that he hadn't stopped him doing anything evil throughout the whole party.
‘THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME. I HAD A GREAT TIME,’ he said to Leo's mum.
‘You were an absolute angel and are always welcome,’ she replied.
*Gasp*
Leo finally caught him doing something evil.
Page 22
I knew it. I just knew it! Two party bags! He took TWO PARTY BAGS...he’s so EVIL.
Illustrator notes
Page 21
Leo's mum had picked up the two party bags that are left to give to the Evil Overlord.
Leo looks shocked when his mum says he's “always welcome". But this facial expression could be seen as his shock at finally finding what the Evil Overlord had done.
The Evil Overlord's parents look very normal. Could be same sex. I like the idea that the Evil Overlord is adopted and this could imply it.
Page 22
Interacts with the reader.
Page 23
No dialogue
Page 24
‘Hey, look what you got,’ Leo's mum called to him, ‘It’s an invite to a party next month. It looks like a super hero party.’
‘I can't wait,’ said Leo, smiling.
Illustrator notes
Page 23
Time lapse of the presents disappearing as Leo opens them.
Page 24
Leo looks at the invite and it's from the Evil Overlord. The present from the Evil Overlord is in view. It is an amazing looking super hero costume.
No interaction with the reader.
Page 1
My friend Sam is my closest friend.
Page 2
And, he has the best house.
Illustrator notes
The boys peek over the fence. One page showing the main character with his mum behind him. One page showing Sam with his mum behind him to introduce all the characters. The boys are about 6 years old. We get a view of their house that shows the main character lives in a large, well-maintained house and Sam's is small and rundown.
Page 3
My house has a pool.
Page 4
But, his has more bugs than I can count.
‘What's after 109?’
Illustrator notes
The boys are playing in long grass in the backyard that clearly hasn't been mowed in a long time. They have Tupperware containers to catch bugs. Show lots of different bugs. Sam’s mum is out there with them weeding the garden. She is looking at the bugs too with a handful of weeds.
Page 5
We spent all day collecting them.
Page 6
And, we found the best spots to find the best bugs.
Illustrator notes
Double page close up spread of the boys and the mum looking at lady bugs climbing all over a beautiful flower. The mum is pointing at where the bugs are as she is the one who actually showed them.
Page 7
My friend Sam has the best house.
Page 8
My house has five bedrooms but his house has so many hiding places.
Illustrator notes
Multiple images of the boys playing hide and seek in a messy house. They hide behind laundry baskets, piles of clothes, in messy rooms etc. Sam's mum is vacuuming the house.
Page 9
We played hide and seek until dinner time.
Page 10
Also, Sam is so good at hiding. It took ages to find him.
‘Shh, he's right there.’
Illustrator notes
The mum is hiding in a curtain in the corner of the room with Sam. Show the main character searching every room i.e. kitchen, toilet, bathroom etc. The mum is putting her finger to her mouth as she is the one saying the dialogue. No dialogue tag to maintain the illusion that it is Sam that makes the game fun instead of his mum.
Page 11
My best friend Sam has so many movies, too.
Page 12
We even got to watch them at dinner. I love staying at his house.
Illustrator notes
Sam has a lot of DVDs to choose from as he doesn't have any streaming services. Show the boys sitting on the floor, sharing a pizza watching the television with the DVDs visible. Sam's mum is watching with them, eating toast rather than pizza.
Page 13
At my house, I sometimes get a treat after dinner.
Page 14
But at Sam's we got to eat the whole tub of ice-cream. I still had to brush my teeth after, though.
Illustrator notes
The fridge broke which is evident as the light off and the mum looks stressed. The boys are laughing, eating straight from the tub.
Page 15
At bed time, we got so many stories.
Page 16
His books are so much better than mine.
Illustrator notes
The boys are sharing a single bed to sleep. Sam’s mum reads to them, holding up the book, acting dramatically like she is in a play.
Page 17
In the morning, we even got to watch heaps of new cartoons.
Page 18
We can play during the ads too.
Illustrator notes
The boys sit on the floor, glued to the television, eating toast. Not cereal as the fridge broke.
They wrestle during the ad break. Sam's mum is folding laundry on the lounge behind them. The cartoons are clearly not new. Perhaps the art style shows this.
Page 19
He's even allowed to use the kitchen containers for water play.
Page 20
My friend Sam is so lucky.
Illustrator notes
Sam’s mum is doing the dishes. The boys are grabbing some Tupperware containers, still covered in bubbles from being washed, dripping water on the floor, running out of the kitchen to use them.
Page 21
I don't know why Sam's house is the best.
Page 22
It just is.
Illustrator notes
The boys run hand in hand into the front yard, carrying their containers, playing in their undies and hats. We can see the front of both of their houses. The main character's house is two stories and looks lovely. Sam's is small and old. The main character's mum is walking over to Sam's house.
Page 23 and Page 24
*No prose on these pages*
Illustrator notes
The boys are crouching down looking for bugs, again. They have left a mess of their water play around them. In the background, the main character's mum is hugging Sam's mum and she is clearly consoling her.
Page 1
‘Mummy, how long until he’s here?’ Maggie asked.
Page 2
‘How long now?’
Illustrator Notes
Page 1
Maggie stands at the table next to her mum working. Her head is just barely tall enough to see over the edge of the table. It's day time.
She wears an outfit and hairstyle that will be different in the next 5 pages. This shows that each page is a different day and also highlights that this is her nightly routine.
Page 2
Maggie stands next to her mum as she does the dishes. She is already holding a toy sword that she wants to use with Ben.
Page 3
‘Is he here yet?’
Page 4
‘How many sheeps until Ben is here?’ Maggie asked through a mouthful of toothpaste.
‘Tomorrow, baby girl. He'll be home tomorrow.’
Illustrator Notes
Page 3
Maggie sits in the bath with a comical child’s shower cap on.
Page 4
Maggie is brushing her teeth standing on a small stool, looking into the mirror. She's making a mess.
Page 5
‘Maggie, Ben will be here soon,’ Mum called.
Page 6
Sir Lady, the greatest swordsman of the land, begins her bestest and most important quest yet. For only she can deliver the Dragon Fire gem to – (onomatopoeia of a door knock). The greatest warrior of the land...
Illustrator Notes
Page 5
Maggie sits at the dining room table. She is colouring a large red gem drawing which will turn out to have writing on the back, written to her brother. She is wearing cardboard/paper armour for the role play game she wants to play with Ben.
Page 6
Maddie waits for the door to be opened by her mother and gets excited to see Ben. She is drawn as she sees herself in her imagination, as Sir Lady.
Page 7
‘Bendar the Breaker!’ Maggie exclaimed.
Page 8
‘Ah, Sir Lady! I see-.
Illustrator Notes
Page 7
They both look equally into the role play, holding dynamic poses. They are drawn as their role play characters.
Page 8
Maggie hugs her brother tightly, not caring that her armour will be crumpled by it. This shows how important Ben is to her. They are drawn as their usual selves.
Page 9
‘Our mother, the queen, sent word that you have an important quest for me to complete? By the way, this is Stella.’
‘For us to complete,’ she corrected, ‘and it is of the upmost importance.’ Maggie said whilst peeking past Ben.
Page 10
Their quest had barely begun when they encrounter- encountra... when they come across their first challenge. For Bendar was not alone. A most beautiful sorceress arrived with him. Her golden hair mixed with blue a clear sign of her magical power. Perhaps even stronger than the queen herself.
Illustrator Notes
Page 9
Maggie is picked up by her brother. She holds the gem drawing in her hand which is behind Ben so he cannot see that it has writing on it. She gets the word “utmost" wrong, showing her young age.
Page 10
Sir Lady looks past Bendar, staring down the sorceress. She hides the gem, out of sight from the sorceress. She puts it in her back pocket but it slips out and glides under some furniture, barely visible.
This is the first indication that Maggie is the one saying the prose text out loud.
Page 11
It appears Bendar brang this sorceress here to meet the queen but Sir Lady is not fooled. This sorceress is here for her own devious plans.
‘Oh nice word,’ Ben complimented her.
Page 12
‘Run away with me!’
Bendar the Breaker and Sir Lady escape. But only just.
Illustrator Notes
Page 11
Maggie waits around the corner spying conspicuously on the three adults saying hello in the doorway. They can hear her and are smiling to themselves.
Page 12
Maggie and Ben run off down the hallway, hand in hand. Ben with Maggie's sword. Maggie with her shield.
They run to the left of the page as Maggie's goal is to keep Ben living with her and her mum when she needs to let him move on and live an adult life with his new partner.
Page 13
‘You kept your old room? You don’t want mine anymore?’ Ben asked.
‘I can't use it. You might need it,’ Maggie replied, ‘but shush, this is important.’
And then Sir Lady told Bendar about her adventures since last they met.
She spoke of the kingdom and the issues with the dwarves. She spoke of dragons and fairies.
Page 14
‘The King has been on a quest to retrieve the gold from the dragon. He has been gone for, like, a really long time.
‘... and the queen has been spending all day and night making new spells to help the kingdom.
‘...the other knights at school have been training SO hard that they have no time to play with Sir Lady. Not that I have time either. I have been training by myself every day, preparing for when they need my sword.’
Maggie continued to share about the world around her.
‘...that's a lot for one knight to deal with, Sir Lady. Have you spoken to mum, I mean, the queen about all this?’ Ben asked.
Illustrator Notes
Page 13
Maddie and Ben enter Maggie’s room away from their Mother and Ben’s partner. Ben recognises that she has likely refused to use his old room as she wants him to return.
Page 14
Maggie and Ben sit inside a cubby. Ben looks troubled by what he is hearing.
Page 15 &16
Sir Lady and Bendar are surrounded by enemies. Even the sorceress that came with Bendar is on their side. They must take the Dragon Fire gem to the alter before their enemies find them.
‘Okay, you ready?’ Maggie asked.
‘Maggie, wait. We need to talk-’ said Ben.
‘Are you?’ She asked, again.
‘Fine, yep, okay, ready? Same time.’
‘Three, two, one,’ Maggie and Ben said.
Illustrator Notes
Page 15 & 16
They count in chorus. A view of the cubby from the outside. Reader cannot see Maggie and Ben.
Page 17
‘Wait! Where is it?’ Maggie exclaimed.
Page 18
‘Dinner is ready,’ Mum called to them.
‘Nooo!’ Maggie screamed.
Illustrator Notes
Page 17
Ben looks at Maggie as she twists around trying to find the drawing she hid in her pocket.
Page 18
Maggie breaks character and runs past her mum to find the gem. She looks distraught as she does so. Her helmet falls off.
Page 19
‘Where is it? Where is it?’
‘Maggie, it's dinner time, come on,’ Mum asked again.
‘Nooo! I need it. The Gem, where’s the Gem?’
Page 20
‘Maggie, we should eat now,’ Ben said to her.
‘NOOO!’ Maggie screamed back.
Illustrator Notes
Page 19
Maggie checks everywhere they have been.
Page 20
Maggie is having a meltdown over losing the drawing. She is being really disrespectful to her mum. Mum and Ben are both shocked that she yelled at him like that.
Page 21
‘Maggie, I’m sure we’ll find it soon, but you need to eat dinner,’ Mum said.
‘Sir Lady, you need to keep up your strength for the quest,’ Ben whispered.
‘NOOOO! I need it,’ Maggie screamed from under the table.
Page 22
*Scream* *Crash*
Illustrator Notes
Page 21
Maggie sat under the table. No one is eating. Ben is trying to talk to her. They look stressed. The reader cannot see Maggie very well (Symbolism for how she should be at the table like earlier in the book but she’s not “there”).
Page 22
Maggie screamed from under the table as Ben and his partner clear the dishes. Maggie’s plate is tipped on the floor.
Page 23
‘Maggie May, you need to have a bath, you are absolutely filthy,’ mum called out.
Page 24
‘I need my Gem!’
‘I’m sorry, Maggie. I’ve looked. Ben has looked. It’s not here,’ Mum yelled.
Maggie screamed... again.
Illustrator Notes
Page 23
The bath is overflowing as mum tries to convince Maggie to bathe. Maggie is not in the illustration. Mum is calling out from the bathroom door to Maggie off the page (Symbolism for Maggie not being in the right place emotionally and for mum getting more and more emotional herself).
Page 24
The toothbrush is left on the basin unused, with toothpaste on it, while hearing screaming in the background. Neither Maggie or mum are on the page (Symbolism for them not being in the right place emotionally).
Page 25
‘Thanks for dinner mum, it was amazing.’
‘Yes, thank you for dinner. Sorry we couldn’t help more with Maggie.’
Page 26
NO DIALOGUE
Illustrator Notes
Page 25
Ben and his partner said bye to his mum. Maggie isn’t on the page. Visual comparison to when Ben first arrived, standing at the front door.
Page 26
Ben’s partner finds the dragon fire gem under the lounge. She shows it to Ben.
Page 27
‘Maggie, I think I found-’ Stella said.
‘Go away. Go AWAY!
Page 28
*Scream*
‘Come back. Come BACK!’
Illustrator Notes
Page 27
Stella, Ben’s partner, crouches down next to Maggie to show her she found the Gem drawing. Maggie screams at her to go away. Ben is there too.
Page 28
Maggie screams at the door as it closes. Her mum holds her back from running out the door.
Page 29
‘I’m sorry about that. Maggie can sometimes-’
‘Don’t stress. She misses you a lot, clearly.’
Page 30
NO DIALOGUE
Illustrator Notes
Page 29
Ben in the car talking with his partner
Page 30
Ben dialling his Mum holding the dragon fire gem
Page 31
‘Maggie? How are you feeling?’ Mum asked.
Maggie shrugged, staring at her feet.
‘And what does Sir Lady feel?’ She asked again.
‘Sir Lady wishes Maggie did what the queen asked her. She’s worried that Bendar is angry at her. And, and that he won’t want to come back,’ Maggie cried, ‘I have to say sorry.’
‘Shall we call him?’
Sir Lady takes the phone. And, Maggie May dials Ben’s number.
Page 32
Sir Lady and Bendar the Breaker spoke long into the night about love, life and all things concerning the kingdom. But most importantly, Maggie just enjoyed laughing with her brother, again.
Illustrator Notes
Page 31
Maggie talking to her mum on her bed in her room.
Page 32
Maggie sits on her bed under her blanket, light shining from the phone, talking to Ben.
Page 1
In a giant house on a country road, played Robin Jack. The smallest of the Jack family and quite possibly the smallest girl of her age, ever.
Page 2
Being very small gave Robin a very large sense of adventure. Unfortunately, Robin also felt like she could do anything she wanted.
Page 3
So when her mum asked her to pack away her toys, Robin didn’t feel like doing so. In fact, it came to her attention that it had been a very long time since she helped herself to the jelly beans in the kitchen.
Page 4
‘Robin! Get down from there!’ her mother yelled.
‘Dad said I could have magic beans,’ she lied.
‘Magic beans? Just get ready for bed, now please! How ridiculous.’
Page 5
Robin felt bad for upsetting her mum. Clearly, she wanted them to share with each other. ‘I’ll just get some more. What a good idea,’ she thought, as she often did.
Page 6
Robin waited for her mum to leave and snuck out of her room to get more jelly beans.
‘The heist begins,’ she whispered.
Page 7
Unfortunately, her dad was asleep on the lounge. And had started cooking something in the oven. The mess of flour across the bench would get all over her.
‘Gross.’
Page 8
She crept over to the creaky cupboard lower down, instead. The one with the old party bag of lollies.
Robin thought of herself as an expert at sneaking around. Unfortunately, even experts make mistakes. Because when you open a creaky door, you then have to close it.
*Creak*
Robin ran.
Page 9
From under her blankets, she heard booming steps, like a giant coming down the hallway. She imagined the words Fee, Fi, Fo, Fum echo each thud.
Robin listened, sweating under the covers until she heard footsteps receding up the hallway.
Page 10
‘Wow, I’m silly. Mum doesn’t even like these lollies.’
Robin ate them and crept out of her room again.
Page 11
Being an expert, Robin learnt from her lesson. She hadn’t tried the fridge, though. And she still needed some kind of snack to share with her mum.
Page 12
Staring at the fridge, she planned her next heist.
In time with her dad’s snoring, Robin cracked the door open. A thin sliver of light shone on her face. She forgot about the light.
‘This’ll definitely wake dad.’
She thought for a moment.
‘Aha.’
Page 13
Like so many great thieves, Robin knew exactly where her prize was. Her mum kept a bag of chocolate coins in the fridge door. She just had to be quick.
Page 14
In one spectacular motion, Robin opened and closed the door, snatching at the coins. Surprisingly, her hand was empty.
‘Well, poop.’
Listening to her dad’s snoring, she tried again, this time grabbing the coins. And, knocking down a water jug. Robin ran...again.
Page 15
Under the blankets, she heard the familiar FEE, FI, FO, FUM of her father’s giant footsteps. Robin listened, intently.
Fortunately for Robin, there is a truth that big people don’t realise. Children are actually very good at waiting. They have to wait all the time at the whims of larger folk. It’s just that they don’t like to. Unless they could get caught.
Page 16
Robin clutched the coins in her hand and listened to her dad leave.
Page 17
Obviously, Robin is an expert thief. However, she is not an expert on chocolate, yet. How was she supposed to know that the coins would melt in her hands?
Page 18
‘It shouldn’t be this difficult,’ she complained. She left her room, determined to finally get a snack.
Page 19
As a very clever thief who always learns her lessons, she wasn’t going to get something that could melt this time. She’s not silly.
‘Cookies!’ she whispered, peeking over the edge of the counter.
Page 20
Being the expert she was, Robin could think of only one possible problem with this heist: How to get the glass cookie jar down from the bench. She’d usually just complain but that obviously won’t work this time. Again, she’s not silly.
Robin used the broom that was resting against the cupboards which worked perfectly.
Dragged by the boom, the jar crept closer,
And closer, and closer still to the edge of the counter-
Page 21
The oven beeped.
Robin gasped.
The jar shattered.
And, this time, her dad saw her.
Page 22
She ran for it, as she so often did. Her father boomed behind her. The FEE, FI, FO, FUM of his footsteps echoed by yells of...something. Robin was too terrified to listen. She did drop the broom, though.
Page 23
*SNAP, CRASH, BOOM*
Robin spun around and stared at her dad on the floor.
Robin Jack, expert thief, gingerly crawled into his arms and hugged him.
Then, she said the most important words a person could say in this moment.
‘I’m sorry.’
Page 24
Robin’s mum returned home to what could only be described as the result of the greatest heist, and clean-up, that anyone by the name of Robin or Jack had ever seen. Robin sat on the lounge, wrapped in her dad’s giant arms, eating fresh bread.
‘Do you want some, mum?’
Page 1
Oh good, you’re here. Sorry, I’m not quite ready yet but just get comfy. I’ll be with you shortly...
Okay, let’s start. Honestly, there isn’t a lot happening in my world right now. I think I found a story you’ll like though, hopefully.
Page 2
This world is full of magic and wonder leaving little room for the little guys. So the small have to look out for the small. Meet Biggh, a small-time thief and amateur actor. And his partner Smorl, a big-time collector of other peoples’ stuff.
Illustrator notes
Page 1
The text is illustrated in a way to show the narrator’s personality and sapience.
Page 2
Setting images.
Page 3
‘Oi, keep your voice down.’ Biggh whispers to the air.
My apologies, old friend.
‘That voice talkin’ to you again?’ asks Smorl.
‘It always starts when we’re about to do a job.’
Because that’s when the good stuff happens.
Page 4
I should mention that Biggh, for some reason, can hear me. I was as confused as you the first time. But we have fun with it; don’t we Biggh?
‘As much fun as homework on the weekend,’ Biggh growls.
Illustrator notes
Page 3 and 4
Biggh, a goblin, sits in a cafe across from the bank with his partner Smorl, a pixie. They scope out the bank through the window. Biggh hears the narrators voice in his head.
Page 5
Angry at the world for never being noticed, Biggh and Smorl enter a bank wearing disguises...so no one will notice them. One in a fake beard, the other in a briefcase.
‘Keep it down will you?!’ Biggh says to the air.
Biggh sits on a chair anxiously waiting for the heist to begin.
Page 6
‘Excuse me, I will see you now.’ A troll the size three large boulders stands over Biggh holding a door open for him to enter.
That guy is huge! Hey Biggh, did you notice how massive that troll is?
Illustrator notes
Page 5
Biggh is walking through the bank, wearing an obviously fake beard carrying Smorl in a briefcase.
Their wanted posters are plastered on the wall.
Page 6
Biggh is overshadowed by a huge troll.
Page 7
Biggh sits across from the largest troll in the world, in the worst disguise I’ve ever seen. I can’t wait to see how this goes.
‘Now tell me, why should the Dragon’s Horde Bank hire you?’ the troll booms.
‘Well, I’ve been preparing for this job for a long time.’
Yeah I doubt that. Biggh doesn’t even clean his dishes before using them again. You should see how gross Smorl is too. Actually, it’s better if you don’t.
Page 8
‘You’ll be looking out for criminals, are you able to spot a thief if you see one?’
‘Oh yes, I’m excellent at spotting thieves. I know all their tricks.’
He doesn’t. The only good trick he knows is how to pull a rabbit from a hat. It’s impressive but useless for a thief.
Illustrator notes
Page 7
Biggh sits at an office desk, across from the troll, for an interview for a job. The bank vault is behind the troll in Biggh’s line of sight.
Page 8
Biggh kicks the briefcase over to the vault and Smorl climbs out carrying her tools to crack the safe.
Page 9
‘The safe’s door is heavy steel, can you handle that?’
‘Yes, I know “steal”. It won’t be a problem.’
Keep talking like that and you will make a problem. It will make for a good story though so please continue.
Page 10
‘If a customer asks you for a loan, what would you say?’
‘I say “No, I don’t work alone”.’
You two barely work together.
Smorl is going to need more time though, what are you going to do?
Illustrator notes
Page 9
Biggh sitting across from the troll.
Page 10
Smorl starts filling up a large sack with gold, jewels etc.
A collection of safe cracking tools lay on the floor in front of the vault.
Page 11
‘And how about distractions, can you handle them?’
‘I’m the best at distractions,’ says Biggh, knocking over the pencil tin.
Well done. She looks just about finished.
Page 12
‘Last question; are you a good guy?’
‘Oh, I’m very good’, Biggh says, ‘at stealing from banks,’ Biggh whispers.
“Very” is a strong word but you might actually get away with this.
Illustrator notes
Page 11
Biggh sits across from the troll and knocks over a pencil tin.
Page 12
Smorl finishes up emptying the vault. She is able to pick up the bag full of gold with obvious magic for help.
Page 13
Remarkably, Biggh and Smorl are pulling off the biggest small-time crime the city has seen this week.
‘Great, I think we’re done here. Any questions before I show you the vault?’ the troll asks, turning towards the safe.
‘Wait! Umm, I’ve always been curious, why is this bank called “Dragon’s Horde”?’
That was close. Smorl almost got caught there.
Page 14
‘Oh. It’s because the owner is a dragon, of course.’
Oh no.
Illustrator notes
Page 13
Smorl pauses as she is about to light a stick of dynamite lodged in the window next to the vault.
Page 14
Biggh looks terrified.
Page 15
‘Umm, when you say dragon, you really mean-’
‘An actual dragon, yes.’
‘Right.’
Of course.
Page 16
‘But like, not a fire-breathing dragon, right?’ Biggh asked.
I think he does.
‘Lightning, actually,’ said the troll.
‘Lightning...interesting.’
That’s so much worse.
Illustrator notes
Page 15
Biggh motions to Smorl to abort the mission by waving his open hand, palm down, in front of his throat. The troll doesn’t notice.
Page 16
Smorl starts to put the stolen goods back.
Page 17
‘By “Lightning-breathing dragon”, you really mean a medium-sized dragon, right?’
I doubt it.
Page 18
‘A giant-sized dragon.’
‘Mm hmm. Giant like the size of a house-’
Biggh hopes.
‘Giant like the size of a mountain.’
‘I see.’
Biggh despairs.
Illustrator notes
Page 17
Biggh motions for Smorl to hurry up, waving his hand frantically. The troll doesn’t notice.
Page 18
The vault progressively fills up again.
Page 19
Struck with fear, Biggh wonders if the most terrifying creature imaginable might prefer tea and biscuits over goblins and pixies.
‘So this big-as-a-mountain, lightning-breathing dragon is probably a nice boss to work for, right?’
Page 20
‘Oh no. Terrifying. Destroyed a village because an employee called in sick last week.’
‘Of course. That’s... reasonable.’
Imagine how they would treat a thief.
‘I’m afraid to ask,’ Biggh whispers to the air.
Illustrator notes
Page 19
Biggh frantically points to the briefcase for Smorl to get back in. The troll doesn’t notice.
Page 20
Focus is on Biggh. He hears a click sound alerting him to Smorl getting back into the briefcase.
Page 21
Afraid to stay any longer than he already has, Biggh stands up to collect Smorl and flee for his life.
‘Well it’s been fun. Thank you for the job opportunity but I think I need to, uhh... think it over. Have a nice day,’ Biggh squeaks at the troll.
‘Going so soon? But you haven’t finished stealing from the vault,’ the troll smiles.
‘Run!’ yells Smorl from the briefcase.
I have to agree.
Page 22
Biggh and Smorl, angry at the world because no one wanted to give them a chance, have become the most wanted people in this bank.
Illustrator notes
Page 21
Biggh stands across the desk from the troll looking terrified.
Page 22
Biggh fleeing for the door with the briefcase following behind him, bouncing to keep up.
Page 23
*Textless*
Page 24
For obvious reasons, Biggh and Smorl could not be here to tell you their story. Crime tends to do that. I can tell you that they did not get eaten by a dragon, though. Nor did they get burnt to a crisp by lightning. They did however get caught by the police and will spend a long time behind bars. Hopefully, they have learnt their lesson and won’t try to steal gold from a dragon ever again.
The END...
How was that? I hope you enjoyed the story. Hey, do you think we can do this again? The next time something good happens in my world, I’ll tell you the story and maybe we’ll see Biggh and Smorl do something even more fun...like break out of prison.
Anyway, see you later.
Illustrator notes
Page 23
Biggh and Smorl causing havoc around the bank as they attempt to escape.
Page 24
Landscape shot of fantasy land with the dragon flying overhead. No image of Biggh and Smorl.
Back cover or additional page at end of book with image of them behind bars in prison attire.