✨ Author Spotlight: Ruth Bradford from The Little Black and White Book Project ✨

For the first of our Author Spotlight series, we’re delighted to introduce Ruth Bradford - the creative force behind The Little Black & White Book Project. Ruth’s unique blend of design, wildlife passion, and parenthood has brought a fresh and thoughtful approach to children’s books, especially for the tiniest of readers. From bold monochrome illustrations to rhyming adventures around the world, Ruth’s work is all about inspiring a love of books, nature, and wildlife, from day one.

👋 Meet Ruth

Ruth’s journey into children’s publishing began just before her son was born. She discovered the developmental benefits of black-and-white imagery for newborns and was surprised at the lack of options available. So, as a graphic designer and new mum-to-be, she took matters into her own hands - illustrating her own black-and-white animal books. “And the rest, as they say, is history,”

🐾 The First Black and White Books (Yes, Plural!)

Ruth didn’t ease in with just one title - she launched The Little Black & White Book Project with three books at once, inspired by her travels and wildlife encounters while living in Singapore. Her debut titles celebrated the animals of Southeast Asia, Africa, and Australia. “I wanted to pass on that awe and wonder,” she says, “and also provide interesting content for parents too.”

🖋 From Illustrator to Author

Although her books started out without text, Ruth has since embraced storytelling with her rhyming picture books Come Explore With Me and Come Dive With Me. These adventures introduce animal habitats through lyrical language, making them accessible and engaging for children of all ages — from newborns to older siblings.

🌍 Nature at the Heart

Ruth’s mission is clear: to help children fall in love with wildlife and spark a lifelong curiosity about the natural world. “Everything I do is about wildlife from around the world,” she explains. “It’s about inspiring the next generation of little David Attenboroughs — through awe and wonder, not doom and gloom.”

Her books often focus on specific regions or habitats, featuring a carefully chosen group of animals. And for her storybooks, she uses action-oriented themes like “dive” or “explore” to guide the adventure. “I’d love to write one about birds and bugs next!” she adds.

🧠 What Ruth Hopes Children Take Away

Whether it’s discovering a new animal or remembering a fun fact, Ruth’s goal is for children to walk away with something lasting. “Even if they just come away knowing an animal they hadn’t heard of before, that’s brilliant,” she says. Her books encourage children to recognise the wide world of wildlife and understand that we share our planet with so many wonderful species worth protecting.

📚 Childhood Reading Memories

Growing up in the 80s, books were a treasured part of Ruth’s childhood. “We had a small bookcase on the landing just outside my bedroom,” she recalls. “I remember sitting there reading the books on repeat…they were an escape to far-off places.”

💬 Real Talk for Busy Parents

When it comes to reading with your little ones, Ruth’s advice is simple and encouraging:

“Let go of what the perfect moment looks like. Don’t worry if your child is distracted. Just start small. The rest will come.”

She adds that reading together is a chance to pause and connect - a precious moment of presence that means the world to your child.

🎁 The Biggest Gift of Reading Aloud?

“Our time and attention. In that moment, we are completely theirs.”

Ruth beautifully captures the power of shared stories - that precious bond formed when we dive into a book together, free from distractions.

🤔 What if My Child Isn’t “Into Books”?

Ruth’s response is reassuring: there’s no one way to enjoy books. “Reading doesn’t look a certain way,” she explains. “Sometimes it’s about going with the flow and repetition before your child settles into a reading rhythm. Persevere — it’s worth it.”

🐘 Ruth in 3 Words:

Wild. Animaltastic. Monochrome.

🌟 Favourite Children’s Creators?

Ruth is a big fan of the dream team Rachel Bright and Jim Field — and honestly, same here!

🌿 If Not Books, Then What?

“Gardening! I love being outside amongst my plants and flowers.”

📰 Bonus Wild Extras

Beyond her books, Ruth also runs a monthly wildlife newspaper for kids called The Wild Scoop, and hosts a fun, fact-filled weekly podcast: The Wild Walk of Fame. Both are perfect for budding wildlife lovers and curious minds - and available on her website and podcast platforms.

📦 Where to Find Ruth’s Books

Look out for titles from The Little Black & White Book Project in your next ZaZa’s Storybox delivery or explore more of Ruth’s work at blackandwhitebookproject.com.

Thank you, Ruth, for sharing your story - and for inspiring a generation of nature lovers, one bold page at a time.