Curling ABCs: Slide, Sweep and Find

2026
Client: Rachel Homan

When Olympic and World Champion curler Rachel Homan set out to create her first children's book, she wasn't simply looking for an illustrator. She was looking for a creative partner who could help transform an idea into an engaging reading experience for young children.

As a parent of three, Rachel had spent countless hours reading with her children and noticed how much they loved "look and find" books. While searching for one centred around curling, she discovered there wasn't one. Despite curling being one of Canada's most celebrated sports, there were very few children's books introducing the sport to young readers, and none that combined alphabet learning with interactive discovery.

The goal was simple: create a fun, educational book that introduced children aged 2 to 5 to the world of curling while filling a genuine gap in the marketplace.

Ironically, I had no idea who I was working with.

Rachel initially contacted me using her married name, Rachel Germain. After a quick search, I found very little information and assumed I was working with a first-time independent author. It wasn't until after the contract was signed, the deposit was paid, and we had already begun developing the book that I realized I was collaborating with one of the greatest curlers in the world. It was a funny moment, but it reinforced something I value in my practice. Every project receives the same level of enthusiasm, professionalism, and care, regardless of who the client is.

A collaborative process

The book was developed gradually over approximately six months.

Rather than creating the entire manuscript before illustration began, Rachel and I worked through a handful of spreads at a time. She would provide rough layouts featuring stick figures, curling sheet diagrams, and notes about the required educational elements.

From there, I refined each concept into a finished illustration.

Every spread moved through multiple rounds of review. We discussed composition, visual hierarchy, pacing, and small details before progressing to final artwork. We met regularly throughout the project to review our progress, with one memorable pause while Rachel was competing at the Olympic Games.

Once the illustrations were complete, I brought in a graphic designer to handle typography, page layout, and print production, ensuring the finished book was professionally prepared for publication

The outcome

This remains one of the projects I'm most proud of.

Not only because of the finished artwork, but because of what it represents.

Together, Rachel and I created an engaging alphabet "look and find" book despite neither of us having created one before. We identified a gap in the market, built a collaborative process from the ground up, and produced a polished, professionally printed book that introduces young readers to the sport of curling through exploration, humour, and play.

I approached this project with one goal: create work that demonstrated the level of illustrator I wanted to become. Every spread received the time, thought, and attention it deserved because I wanted the finished book to be something I could proudly include in my portfolio for years to come.

Looking back, I believe that investment shows in the final result.

Curling ABCs : Slide, Sweep, and Find

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Available now

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Purchase link below

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Curling ABCs : Slide, Sweep, and Find — Available now — Purchase link below —

“Thanks for making this book more beautiful than i could ever imagine. This book ROCKS! “
- Rachel Homan