Becca Hall’s debut author/illustrated book: Epic Journeys: Ocean Voyagers
Becca Hall, represented by The Bright Agency, has a debut author/illustrated nonfiction book Epic Journeys: Ocean Voyagers. This epic book is out and we at Bright sat down with Becca to ask her all about what it was like writing her first book, how the process differed from previous projects, and where her passion for underwater migration came from.
What inspired you to create this book?
I’ve always been fascinated by animals and the incredible journeys they make. As a child, I loved filling my world with stories of animals, and I wanted to create the kind of book that would have completely captivated younger me. Migration combines adventure, science and storytelling in such an amazing and accessible way. These animals aren’t just travelling, they’re overcoming enormous challenges to survive, and passing all sorts of things on the way. I wanted children to feel that sense of wonder while also learning just how extraordinary our planet really is. As I am dyslexic, I also wanted to create beautifully illustrated, accessible non-fiction books that make learning easier and more engaging for every child.
Why migration?
Migration felt like the perfect theme because it’s something that connects so many completely different species. Whether it’s a humpback whale crossing oceans, a tiny sea turtle hatchling finding its way into the sea, or sharks travelling along ancient underwater highways, every journey has a purpose.
I also loved that migration naturally creates a story. Every chapter has a beginning, obstacles along the way, and an incredible destination, making it a really engaging way for children to learn about science and the natural world.
Tell us a little about your process. Where did you begin?
The research came first! I spent weeks researching facts, going to museums, watching documentaries, and reading articles to narrow down which migrations to include. Once I’d chosen the seven featured animals, I could then work out how each journey could be told visually.
Once I had my text and facts in place, I sketched rough page layouts, thinking about how readers’ eyes would travel across the spreads and how I could make each migration feel exciting and full of movement, while avoiding big blocks of text that can be off putting or difficult to process for dyslexic readers.
How has your environment helped to shape the book?
Living in Cornwall definitely influenced the way I approached Ocean Voyagers. Being surrounded by the sea reminds me every day that there’s a whole hidden world beneath the surface, with all sorts of creatures and their stories, and it’s so important we look after it. Walking along the coast and watching seabirds, waves and changing seasons helped inspire the sense of movement and scale that runs throughout the book.
I’ve also always loved spending time around nature, whether that’s by the coast or deep in land, and I think that appreciation for wildlife naturally finds its way into my illustrations.
What was your favourite part of creating this book?
It’s hard to pick a favourite part of creating this book because there were so many!
As I’d never written a non-fiction book before, I absolutely loved researching the facts, developing the ideas and planning how I could make this book feel different from others out there. Having the freedom to build something completely from scratch was SO much fun.
I also loved discovering all the incredible facts about animals and their migration journeys. At the end of almost every day, I’d end up telling my husband, Ben, all the amazing things I’d learnt! The fact that I was so excited about the words and the research before I’d even started illustrating felt really special. I hope children have those same “wow!” moments while reading the book.
I’ve also ALWAYS been a lover of the ocean and feel incredibly lucky to live on its doorstep. So getting to illustrate huge underwater scenes and all the amazing creatures that call it home was an absolute joy. I wanted every spread to feel like an adventure that readers could dive straight into.
Can you give us any teasers about the next book?
I’m so excited about this series as a whole!!
The next book, coming out in 2027, is called Land Roamers. This time, we’re following seven more of the world’s most incredible migrations… but on land!
Without giving too much away, you’ll meet everything from vast herds crossing the African plains to millions of bright red crabs taking over an entire island. There are icy adventures, dusty landscapes, dramatic river crossings and some of the biggest animal journeys on Earth.
If you enjoyed Ocean Voyagers, I think you’re going to LOVE exploring life on land too! And if you thought the ocean held some incredible migration stories… just wait until you see what’s happening on land!
