A Little Update (and a Big New Reason Why We Do This)

Hello there!

We know we’ve been a little quiet in this corner of your inbox, but only because we’ve been as busy as ever. There are so many new, beautiful, one-of-a-kind books we can’t wait to share with you (and we will, very soon).

We also have one big change of our own: Plantain’s co-founders started a family. Literally. And just like that, in the blink of an eye, our little girl is already singing her ABCs.

Does anything force you to reflect on the past and the meaning of family more than having a child? Suddenly, concepts like legacy and heritage are no longer abstract at all. They’re sitting on your lap, pointing at a photo album and asking, “Who’s that?” Watching her with her grandparents has made us realise, more than ever, that the stories we record today are the currency that will keep their bond alive for years to come.

This has triggered a profound recalibration for us at Plantain. It’s pushing us to review the questions we ask our clients. How do we find the stories that will engage all generations? How do we capture someone’s essence in a way that a child (and eventually their own children) can grasp? Which stories help young ones develop the self-awareness they’ll need to navigate their futures?

It has also made us double down on the importance of our whimsical, thoughtful approach to storytelling. We’re constantly asking: How do we preserve memories in a way that feels timeless. How do we create something so inviting that even a pre-reader wants to explore it?

This is where our bespoke process matters: custom illustrations, giving a powerful photo the space it deserves, choosing typography that truly feels like the storyteller’s voice, and more...

And, as you might imagine, it has inspired us to document our own family’s stories with new urgency, and to explore fresh, exciting approaches.

Because with a child, time takes on a different meaning. It becomes beautifully apparent that our elders won’t be around forever. If anything, it reminds us to capture stories now, and to create heirlooms worthy of being passed down.

Food for thought as we enter this festive, family-filled season...

More from us soon, and warm wishes always,

Plantain.