Behind the scenes of Veronica’s World — how a children’s book series goes from idea to bookshelf.

The Veronica’s World children’s book series started with a real cow, a real moment, and a belief that kindness and clever thinking could change the world — one small story at a time.

Here’s a look behind the scenes at how Veronica’s World came to life.

It started with a real story

Veronica isn’t just a character Jaz invented at a desk one afternoon. She grew from a real experience — a genuine moment of connection that reminded Jaz of something she had always believed: that there is almost always a better way, if you’re willing to look for it.

That moment became the spark. The spark became a character. The character became a world.

You can read the full story behind Veronica’s name on our Our Inspiration page at veronicacow.com/our-inspiration/ — it’s worth a few minutes of your time.

From idea to manuscript

Writing a Veronica’s World children’s book is harder than it looks.

Once Jaz had the character and the core idea, the work of writing began. Children’s books look simple from the outside — short sentences, bright pictures, stories you can read in ten minutes. But writing them well is genuinely difficult.

Every word has to earn its place. The rhythm of the sentences matters. The balance between what’s said and what’s left for the illustrations to carry — that matters too. Jaz went through many drafts of each book before she felt it was right.

The collaboration with the illustrator

Veronica’s World wouldn’t look the way it does without a talented illustrator bringing Jaz’s characters to life. The process of working with an illustrator involves long conversations about who each character is, how they move, what they feel, and how all of that can be captured in a single image on a single page.

Getting Veronica right — her expression, her bell, her sense of barely-contained energy and mischief — took time and care. The result is a character who feels alive the moment you see her.

From manuscript to printed book

Once the writing and illustrations are complete, the real production work begins. Layout, typography, cover design, print specifications, proofing — there are dozens of decisions to make before a file gets sent to a printer.

And then there’s the wait. The files go off, and weeks later, a box arrives. That moment — opening the box and holding the finished book for the first time — is something Jaz has described as one of the most extraordinary feelings she has ever experienced. You may have already seen her face when it happened, in our unboxing videos.

What’s next for Veronica’s World

Jaz is already working on the next book in the series. The characters are alive in her mind, the story is taking shape, and the same care and attention that went into Books 1 and 2 is going into Book 3.

In the meantime, there’s a whole world to explore at veronicacow.com — free colouring pages, cow facts, library resources, and more. And the best way to stay across everything as it happens is to join Veronica’s World free below.

Thank you for being curious

One of the things Jaz loves most about the Veronica’s World community is that the people in it tend to be genuinely curious — about the books, about the characters, about the story behind the story. That curiosity is exactly what Veronica herself embodies.

Keep asking questions. Keep looking for better ways. And keep reading.

Want more Veronica? Join free at veronicacow.com and get access to stories, colouring pages, activities and exclusive content — all for free.