Question 1

What is Sparkisimo?

Accepted Answer

Sparkisimo is a trading name of the publisher Inkle World Ltd.  It has been established specifically with the aim of helping organisations communicate their complex ideas to young minds in exciting, memorable and easy-to-understand ways, through story telling.

Question 2

Why 'Explain it Like I'm 5'?

Accepted Answer

This captures our philosophy: if you can explain a complex idea simply, clearly and engagingly, children are much more likely to understand it, remember it, become interested in the subject, and talk about it with others.

Question 3

Are Sparkisimo books only for children?

Accepted Answer

Our books are created for organisations that wish to communicate complex subjects in a more accessible, interesting and fun way.  Although Sparkisimo primarily focuses on books for primary school children, we can create engaging materials for communities, families, employees, customers, event audiences and more.  All our products are bespoke so we will happily work with you to develop whatever communication material will work best for you.

Question 4

How are Sparkisimo books different from those of a traditional publisher?

Accepted Answer

Instead of starting with a generic story and look for somewhere to use it, we start with your organisation; your subject; your organisation; your audience, then create a completely bespoke, illustrated story around them.

Question 5

Do you use Ai?

Accepted Answer

The short answer is yes.  Ai is used as a secondary tool to help shape the stories and illustrations, but at our core, we are authors and illustrators, so human input is always the primary mechanism used to produce the books.

Question 6

What software and file types do you use?

Accepted Answer

The books will be produced using a combination of Procreate, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Indesign, Adobe Acrobat and some Ai engines.  Files will be sent to you in PDF format.

Question 7

Are the books completely bespoke?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the plot, characters and illustrations will be completely bespoke to your organisation and message.

Question 8

What if I don't like the book?

Accepted Answer

The reason we work in stages i.e. script - storyboard - full-colour; is so you have input throughout the process.  Each stage requires sign-off before we proceed to the next.  At the final book production stage, a completed, full-colour page will be sent to you to approve before the whole 36 page book is rolled out.  In addition, there are two rounds of editing included in the price at each stage, to ensure the final product is exactly what you are expecting.

Question 9

Do you only work with science and engineering companies?

Accepted Answer

No.  Scientific and technical subjects are particularly well suited to our approach, but the concept can be applied to any sector, subject or project.

Question 10

Do your books count towards our Social Values contributions?

Accepted Answer

Yes.  Our storybooks can form part of a wider social value, community engagement, STEM, education or outreach programme.  We are a small, female owned business, which also ticks some Social Values criteria.

Question 11

Can you incorporate our companies existing message and comms materials?

Accepted Answer

Yes.  Existing terminology, messaging, educational objectives and branding can all be incorporated.  We will happily work with your in-house team to create a seamless add-on to your existing materials.

Question 12

What age group are the books aimed at?

Accepted Answer

The target audience and age range are agreed in initial meetings.  Typically, for Primary School audiences, our picture book story-telling approach is ideally suited to 6-10 year olds, but we can create books for any age group.We tailor narrative, complexity, humour, illustration style and education content according to the selected age range.

Question 13

Can the books be used for careers and future skills engagement?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely yes.  Start recruiting early we say!Sowing the seed of a possible future career through a story book may just change a child's whole trajectory, and life - we think this in incredibly exciting.

Question 14

Can the book support existing STEM curriculum education?

Accepted Answer

Yes.  We have a specialist KS1 and KS2 tutor consultant who can ensure your books sits alongside or incorporate current STEM curriculum criteria.  Within the Gold pricing package, the activity sheets will be curriculum aligned for the age group where appropriate.

Question 15

Are your books accessible to children with different reading abilities?

Accepted Answer

Language, font, page structure, text alignment and contrast are all considered factors to make the material as accessible as possible.

Question 16

What are the payment terms?

Accepted Answer

Payment terms are 30 days from receipt of invoice.  Payments are scheduled at:Retainer - 20%Script and storyboard delivery - 30%Book completion + delivery - 50%

Question 17

How involved does our organisation need to be?

Accepted Answer

We aim to make the process as straightforward as possible.  Your team provides the specialist knowledge and objectives, Sparkizimo turns that knowledge into an engaging story.  Typical engagement involves:Initial briefing meeting - if possible in person, on site.Script delivery via e-mail.Script discussion meeting - either in person or via Zoom/Teams.Storyboard delivery via e-mail.Storyboard discussion meeting - ideally in person.One-page full colour delivery and feedback via e-mail.Full book delivery by e-mail.Full book discussion meeting - either in person or via Zoom/Teams.It works best to have one primary point of contact from within your organisation to lead the communications.

Question 18

How long does it take to create the book?

Accepted Answer

Timescales depend upon the complexity of the project, the availability of source imagery and the extent of editing requirements.  A broad timescale is:Script after briefing meeting: 2 weeksStoryboard: 1-2 monthsComplete document: 2-3 monthsIdeally, the project should complete in under 6 months.

Question 19

Does the book have to be 36 pages?

Accepted Answer

36 pages is the ideal length for a children's colour story book, including a double spread glossary at the end.  This is not set in stone however, everything is tailored to your requirements.

Question 20

Can our employees appear as characters?

Accepted Answer

Potentially, yes.  Real people can inspire characters (this can be fun!) subject to agreement and permissions.

Question 21

Can additional educational or merchandise materials be produced?

Accepted Answer

Yes.  Supporting literature can be developed around the story, and even merchandising such as badges, pens, caps, bags, plushies, games etc.  The price bands are used to make the book production simple but packages can be tailored to whatever you can dream up (and we can source).

Question 22

Can the books be used as promotional material at shows, fairs, conferences and exhibitions?

Accepted Answer

Yes, absolutely.  An exciting adventure storybook is a way better give-away than a boring tote bag!A bespoke book can provide an unusual and memorable way of attracting families, schools and communities to engage with you exhibition stand.  It would make an ideal conversation starter, display piece and promotional tool.

Question 23

Can the book be used to support public consultation?

Accepted Answer

Potentially.  A simplified story can often help explain a complex proposal more easily than words alone.  The books could provide lighter complementary support to a formal consultation document.

Question 24

Who owns the copyright of a Sparkizimo book?

Accepted Answer

Copyright ownership and licensing arrangements are agreed at the start of each project.  The agreement clearly sets out what the client may do with the finished works.In most cases, the licence will be unlimited, to provide broad usage and reproduction rights within the agreed scope.

Question 25

Can you create books for multiple projects or sites?

Accepted Answer

Yes, absolutely.  A multi-book scope project can be developed where an organisation has multiple projects, locations, technologies or community initiatives. Consistency of design style across the books will be of real benefit to a coherent corporate offering such as this.

Question 26

Can you create a series of books?

Accepted Answer

Yes.  A series can be particularly effective where an organisation has several subjects it wants to explain or different audiences it wants to reach.  Books can be tailored to different age ranges and recipients.

Frequent Asked Questions