Welcome to the Triassic is a walk on the wild side for debut illustrator Eleanor Western.

Eleanor Western a 2021 graduate in Illustration from the University of Falmouth has debuted her first illustrative children’s book titled, “Welcome to the Triassic” published in collaboration with Devon based Fossil Coast Books a sister company to Fossil Coast Drinks Co.

Eleanor Western children's book illustrator and Wayne Munday from Fossil Coast Drinks Co

"My goal has always been to become a published illustrator and my collaboration with Fossil Coast Books has now made that a reality. I could not be happier! We have worked as a Team throughout the publishing journey and this approach has given me the confidence to learn complex and unfamiliar themes, such as the time of the dinosaurs, and interpret a storyline through illustration in a way that a young reader will find interesting and inspire curiosity about our natural world.” says Eleanor Western.

The idea of creating an illustrated book came about from a “sliding doors moment” and a chance conversation in a tea room in the Devon seaside town of Dawlish.

Wayne Munday the owner of Keystohn VB was at the time considering a new venture that utilised the content created from another venture he had built called Fossil Coast Drinks Co and Eleanor who mentioned that she was looking for a story having completed her degree in Illustration from the University of Falmouth.

“By collaborating together, we have created a new venture to showcase Eleanor’s creative potential and we have provided the support to help her realise her goal of becoming an Illustrator. We have worked in partnership through every step of this publishing journey. By combining Eleanor’s stunning illustrations with our storylines, we are offering a fun learning experience for the young reader. Hopefully the series of books starting with “Welcome to the Triassic” will inspire a sense of curiosity and fascination about our natural environment and the fossils found along our coastline or on display in our region’s wonderful museums.” Says, Wayne Munday – Owner of Keystohn VB

The Triassic Red Sandstone Cliffs of Budleigh Salterton & Jurassic Coast - Image by Gary Holpin

"Welcome to the Triassic” is a large format, non-fiction, illustrative book where readers aged eight years and upwards can be inspired by the geological and fossil record of the Triassic Period as well as the Jurassic Coast of East Devon and Dorset a UNESCO natural World Heritage Site. The book offers the young reader a combination of illustrations and a storyline set before when large dinosaurs roamed the Earth.

“Welcome to the Triassic' is a fascinating read, which children of all ages will find exciting, engaging and incredibly informative.” Says, Naomi Fletcher Key Stage 2 Teacher.

Both Eleanor and Wayne believe that local businesses are often at the heart of their communities. The book features the “Pride of Exmouth” a cruise vessel operated by Stuart Line Cruises based out of Exmouth. For over 50 years this award-winning cruise operator has provided trips along the South Devon coast cruising by the enigmatic red sandstone cliffs of the Triassic Period.

Eleanor and Wayne with Lauren and Jake from Stuart Line Cruises

"Stuart Line Cruises has supported local business and community-minded projects for many years. “Welcome to the Triassic” promotes the coastline and fossil record of East Devon and Eleanor’s illustrations capture that there is no better way to see England’s only natural UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Jurassic Coast, than from the water.” says Lauren Clark, Marketing Director of Stuart Line Cruises.

The Jurassic Coast has recently celebrated its 20th anniversary since being inscribed by UNESCO as a natural World Heritage Site. The book helps to explain the start of this much larger story spanning 185 million years. Today, this coastline is protected and conserved by the Jurassic Coast Trust.

Eleanor is continuing her collaboration with Fossil Coast Books and working towards illustrating and publishing a further three books over the next few years exploring the Jurassic and Cretaceous Period fossil records as well as discovering the megafauna of the Ice Age that once lived in the South West of England.

“Welcome to the Triassic” is available to buy online (www.fossilcoastbooks.com) and in the near future through independent book shops and natural history museums regionally, nationally and internationally.