RUTA SAKSENS KALMANE​
ARTIST BOOKS
Photographically illustrated stories for children
'The Bush Monster' and 'What happens to leaves when they fall off trees?' are two interactive photographically illustrated children's storybooks in English.
THE BUSH MONSTER
2023
The Bush Monster is an interactive children's story in English, illustrated with photography and inspired by my son and the nature in my backyard admits the Veluwe region. It tells the story of a bush monster who hunts outsiders and chooses a wooden deer as his next target.
The project uses this playful, imaginative story as a starting point to engage children in conversation about themes of being different, empathy, equality, and tolerance. By combining nature photography with digital editing, experimental photographic techniques, and other materials, an interactive experience is created that invites discovery, interpretation, and participation.
WHAT HAPPENS TO LEAVES
WHEN THEY FALL OFF TREES?
2022-2023
"What Happens to Leaves When They Fall from Trees?" is an interactive children's story in English, illustrated with photography and inspired by Dutch nature and my daughter who passed away. The story follows a curious leaf as it wonders what happens when its life ends on a tree.
Based on the natural life cycle of leaves, the project offers an accessible way to talk to children about transience, loss, and life after death. The story encourages open conversations between adults and children, in which death is approached as a natural part of life.
Using bird and nature photography, digital photomontages, experimental photographic techniques, and other materials, a playful, sensory experience is created that invites us to look, feel, listen, and discover.