The Urban Child Institute asked us to create a unique community engagement piece to help raise awareness of the importance of talking, touching, reading, and playing with your child before the age of three. Our goal: make it fun, inclusive, and memorable for both kids and parents.

We designed a purse-sized activity pack inspired by the spirit of Highlights Magazine, featuring equitable characters, familiar Memphis landmarks, and interactive games that encouraged shared parent-child moments. From connect-the-dots and matching activities to stickers and coloring pages, each element was crafted to reinforce developmental interaction. We created five diverse characters with colorful skin tones and relatable features so children could see themselves in the story. Every pack came with four real Crayola® Crayons and was distributed to partners across the city.

The activity book was an instant hit—so much so that it was reprinted at a larger size to increase visibility and impact. By combining joyful design with educational purpose, the piece helped strengthen the community’s connection to The Urban Child Institute and the Talk, Touch, Read, Play message.

Strategy, Concept, Creative Direction & Relationship: Conviction / Copywriting & Development: Lyndsay Sanders / Illustration & Design: Joey Ellis