Words are everywhere! Come on this lively adventure to learn more about how they can be shortened, extended, and even switched around. Meet ugly words, colourful words, and words that just need a friend.

The Art of Words is a unique, fun and interactive story about the magic of words. Two children and their adorable dog are illustrated playfully interacting with letters and words, and discovering myriad word functions and capabilities. Typography is a major feature and each page shows words that are scaled, coloured, and positioned to enhance their meaning and reflect the interplay of their verbal and visual aspects.

At only 100 words, this ‘language through adventure’ book is intended to excite young children about language, especially the joy of words and their capabilities. Visually, it depicts an imaginative natural world with abundant greenery, stars, animals and flowers, and children engaging in sports, adventure and STEM! The illustrations aim to embrace and depict diversity in gender and race and cater to varied literacy levels. The font choices are simple and clear, to ensure beginning readers can engage confidently.

Children, parents, carers and teachers alike will delight in this quirky celebration of the joy and power of words. Readers will come to appreciate the joy of making stories from words, and will be reminded that even books that teach can be fun!

Robert Vescio has worked as a photo editor and production manager in the publishing industry and is now a full-time children’s author. As a Books in Homes role model, his aim is to enthuse and inspire children to read and write and leave them bursting with imaginative ideas. His picture books with EK Books include Finn and Puss (2017; illustrated by Melissa Mackie), The Voyage (2019; illustrated by Andrea Edmonds) and The Box Cars (2020, illustrated by Cara King). Robert lives in Sydney and enjoys spending time with his children, who are an endless source of humor and inspiration.

Joanna Bartel is a designer and illustrator. Previously, she has been a graphic designer for a boutique fashion label, a senior art and design teacher and an English teacher in Melbourne and Brisbane, and a copywriter and graphic designer in marketing. Now she brings her experience in Arts education, design, teaching and creative marketing to her illustration work! Joanna particularly loves character design and creating imaginative and playful images to engage children and enhance imaginative learning. While growing up, Joanna loved books, reading to her younger brothers, and writing and illustrating her own stories. Art, Design and English were always her favourite subjects at school and these interests guided her university studies and pursuit of varied roles in the creative industries. Joanna moved to Brisbane with her husband for his work in 2013 and, since becoming a mother to two small children, is now balancing family life with her other great loves of drawing and writing.