Independent project / Children's publishing
Unlucky by Nature
Six small creatures.
Quite a lot of trouble.
An original picture-book series about animals whose best-laid plans rarely go to plan. Beneath the amusing misadventures lies a gentler idea: notice the little lives around us, and a small act of kindness can change their world.
Storytelling, character development, illustration and book design — brought together with kindness, empathy and an eye for nature’s overlooked wonders.
01 / Sammy the Spider
The Unlucky Spider
Sammy spins one web after another, only to meet windows, fans and the feather duster of doom. A little kindness from Ben finally brings him a safe home.
02 / Harry the Hedgehog
The Unlucky Hedgehog
Harry just wants somewhere quiet to sleep through winter. Noisy machines, wind and rain have other ideas — until Ben helps him find a cosy home.
03 / Billy the Bee
The Unlucky Bee
Billy searches for nectar, but crisp packets, a hungry bird and a picnic send him buzzing in the wrong direction. Ben offers a helping hand when he needs it most.
04 / Lucy the Ladybird
The Unlucky Ladybird
A runaway tomato, a rain-filled bucket and a too-hot greenhouse turn Lucy’s search for a quiet leaf into quite an adventure. Ben gently guides her back outside.
05 / Bella the Butterfly
The Unlucky Butterfly
Wind, garden netting, sticky juice and rain are a lot for delicate wings to handle. With help from Ben and Mum, Bella finds a warm place to rest.
06 / Rusty the Squirrel
The Unlucky Squirrel
Rusty’s high-speed hunt for winter acorns leaves the garden in chaos. A thoughtful feeding station gives him a new snack spot — and a new friend.
One world.
Six very different personalities.
Each story starts with a character, a little mischief and a problem seen from their point of view. A shared series identity connects the covers, while the illustrations and page layouts give each animal its own adventure.