Alexandra Palace first children’s book
Alexandra Palace commissioned me to develop, write and produce Wild in the Park, a 60-page activity book for children aged 8+ and their families.
The brief was both simple and deeply meaningful: celebrate the role that parks play in children’s lives — especially in an urban environment where green spaces are often the only place they can run wild, explore freely, and experience nature on their own terms.
Wild in the Park invites children to slow down, look closer and fall a little bit in love with the natural world. The book includes maps and facts specific to Alexandra Park, alongside activities that can be used in any green space, turning ordinary walks into tiny adventures.
Creating the brief
Working closely with the Alexandra Palace Creative Team, I shaped a detailed brief covering:
- project goals
- audience
- tone and content direction
- visual identity and early look-and-feel concepts
I also researched production options, print methods and costs to create a full budget, including recommended price points to recoup production costs.
From there, I dove into extensive research on Alexandra Park — wildlife, sensory landscape, history, ecology — and consulted forest school practitioners and park experts to ground the content in genuine nature experience.
Developing strong content
I developed three possible content approaches — activity-led, fact-led, or a hybrid structure — to explore how best to balance creativity, learning and playful exploration.
Once the structure was chosen, I produced a full visual draft: page flow, activity concepts, writing, and design direction.
This prototype was reviewed by:
- stakeholders
- local families
- teachers and schools
Their feedback shaped the final content, ensuring it felt inclusive, inspiring and genuinely useful.
Creative direction for design & illustration
I developed a detailed illustration brief and researched stylistic approaches and potential artists.
We appointed Kathryn Corlett as illustrator and designer, and I worked closely with her to shape:
- the book’s visual identity
- character and illustration concepts
- layouts and page architecture
The artwork needed to feel warm and playful while still aligning with Alexandra Palace’s brand — and Kathryn’s style hit that balance beautifully.
Publishing the book
I managed the full publishing process:
- preparing content for print
- proofing, corrections and quality control
- liaising with printers
- ensuring smooth production and delivery
Alexandra Palace appointed me as the publisher of what became their first-ever book, released in December 2021 in the Alexandra Palace shop and selected local bookshops.
I also developed a marketing plan including:
- social media assets
- website copy
- in-venue promotional content
- a launch strategy with family workshops and events
Why this project matters to me
Wild in the Park was one of those dream projects where everything aligned: creativity, pedagogy, nature, community and playful exploration.
Parks are often the first places where children learn independence — where they run ahead, climb something slightly too tall, discover a bug, invent a game, or feel their imagination stretch outdoors.
Creating a book that celebrates that freedom — and helps families rediscover the joy of being outside — felt like a genuine privilege.
It’s a gentle book with a big heart, and seeing families use it to explore Alexandra Park (and beyond) remains one of the most rewarding outcomes of my work.
Katherine Mengardon 