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A KREST Cover Nominated for Book Behind Awards

When she was just ten years old, Uraishna, a (now) Grade 7 student at Pitlochry Primary School in Durban, made her debut in the literary world when she created the eye-catching cover design for the book, ‘There’s an Elephant in My Swimming Pool’.
Her childhood scribbles had transformed into a fully-fledged book cover, a result of nurtured passion and limitless creativity.

Where it all began

Uraishna started drawing when she was just two years old. She explored the world of colours and various blends at a tender age. By the time she was three, her doodles started taking shape, and her masterpieces were created. Her family was amazed by the infinite potential the young toddler showed. The ability to bring her imagination to life with vivid colours and advanced-level craftsmanship was truly remarkable.

Finding inspiration everywhere

With a young mind buzzing with all these ideas, Uraishna’s vibrant imagination is what sets her apart. All of her inspiration is found locked within the creative hub inside her head. The young artist enjoys reading, for it allows her to paint the picture she wishes and to draw creativity from the fictional world that she gets lost in. Her mind is able to conjure up these unique images that she can translate into her entrancing artwork.

The artist’s way

The cover design for the book ‘There’s an Elephant in My Swimming Pool’, written by Gretchen Ryan and published by The KREST House, was part of the South African-based publishing house’s Design-a-Cover Competition. Kids from all over the country sent in their submissions, but ultimately Uraishna won.
Upon hearing about the competition, the clogs in Uraishna’s brain started working overtime. She was particularly drawn to the scene where a boy discovers that there is an elephant in his swimming pool. Every day, she would sketch her ideas, slowly adding radiant colours and striking detail to the vision she had in her mind. This resulted in a picturesque cover that flawlessly brought together the story’s charm and wit. Her drawing was then professionally recreated by Krest (image below).

A moment of praise

Sheer elation and shock filled Uraisha when she heard that her cover design had been selected as a nominee. Her mother recalls the moment with fondness, “Uraishna stood frozen in excitement. Her eyes widened as I read the email that she had won the cover design. Her initial reaction was a beaming smile followed by laughter and squeals of delight. She felt like a true artist, proud of her creation. “This is the best day ever.”

The future ahead

Uraishna’s interests and aspirations have no bounds. The young learner dreams of a future within the Science and Technology sectors. Nonetheless, art still remains a constant in her life, helping her find focus and giving her life meaning.