This research investigates the transformative role of visual storytelling in uncovering the stories of unsung heroes. By turning complex narratives into engaging visuals, it highlights the power of imagery in making grassroots contributions more accessible, especially to younger audiences. The children’s picture book 'Roots', based on Tulsi Gowda, an Indian environmentalist, serves as a case study, illustrating how visuals can amplify the impact of environmental movements, turning forgotten contributions into compelling and universally relatable stories.
A human-centered UX research approach was essential to ensure cultural authenticity, engagement, and accessibility in Roots. To achieve this, a mixed-method research framework was implemented, emphasizing qualitative depth and iterative refinement.
Conducted on-site visits and interviews in Tulsi Gowda’s village to observe cultural and environmental interactions firsthand.
Complex themes of environmental conservation were distilled into engaging visuals, making them accessible for young readers.
The selection process began without any strict criteria, aiming to unbiasedly explore grassroots changemakers whose stories needed to be told. However, due to resource and time constraints, a structured filtering process was developed to ensure credibility and feasibility in selecting a compelling story.
Challenges
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Limited documentation on
grassroots workers
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Narrowing Down the List of
Eligible Candidates
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Access to Candidates for
Interviews & Research
Filter criteria
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Credibility check to quickly
validate contributions
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Represent current global
challenges
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Geographic proximity to ensure
in-person interviews
Life of Tulsi Gowda
Why She is Called the "Encyclopedia of the Forest"?
Her advice to the Younger Generation
Read the Entire Interview with
Padma Shri - Tulsi Gowda
🔍 1. No Representation of Indigenous Environmentalists: Most books on environmental themes feature Western conservationists or fictional characters. Gap Identified: Children aren’t introduced to grassroots-level conservationists from India, especially from indigenous communities.
🔍 2. Lack of Action-Driven Storytelling: Many books explained why protecting the environment is important, but few encouraged children to take action. Gap Identified: Children need a story that doesn’t just educate but also empowers them to take small, meaningful actions.
🔍 3. Complex or Text-Heavy Formats: Many books used long paragraphs or technical terms, making them difficult for early readers to engage with. Gap Identified: An engaging, visually rich storytelling approach was needed.
🔍 4. Limited Cultural Authenticity in Illustrations & Language: Existing books that touched on indigenous cultures often lacked accurate representation in illustrations and used generic depictions. Gap Identified: Accurate visual representation matters—children should see real, diverse cultures portrayed authentically.
How Roots Fills the Gap
Roots introduces children to Tulsi Gowda, someone they can look up to.
Featuring a Real-Life Indigenous Changemaker
The book doesn’t just inform—it guides children to take part in conservation.
Action-Oriented Storytelling
More illustrations, less text, expressive characters.
Visually Engaging, Accessible Format
The Halakki tribe’s attire, traditions, and environment are depicted accurately.
Authentic Cultural Representation
🔹 Relatable & Simple Stories Work Best – Parents preferred stories about real people and everyday experiences, rather than abstract or fantasy-based narratives.
🔹 Engagement Over Everything – If a book doesn’t capture attention within the first few pages, children lose interest quickly.
🔹 Parents Value Educational Content, But It Must Be Subtle – Books with a strong educational theme (like sustainability) are preferred only if the storytelling is engaging and doesn’t feel like a school lesson.
🔹 Illustrations Matter as Much as the Story – Parents emphasized that expressive illustrations help children stay engaged and understand the story better.
🔹 Books with ‘Actionable Takeaways’ Are Rare, But Needed – Parents wanted books that don’t just tell a story but also encourage children to act (e.g., planting a tree, reducing waste, or caring for nature).
To understand how children interact with books, reading sessions with 20+ children (ages 5-8) were conducted. These sessions helped identify engagement triggers, comprehension gaps, and preferred storytelling styles.
What We Observed in Children’s Reading Behaviors:
🔹 Shorter Sentences = Better Engagement – Long paragraphs caused loss of focus; simple, conversational writing worked best.
🔹 Illustration-Driven Storytelling Was More Effective – Children pointed at pictures, asked questions, and reacted more when illustrations played a larger role than text.
🔹 Children Engaged More with Stories Featuring a Single Central Character – They found it easier to follow and connect with a story that had one strong protagonist (Tulsi Gowda).
🔹 Interactivity Increases Retention – Kids remembered more from books that had engaging activities at the end rather than those that just told a story.
Shaping the Story: A Blend of Reality & Engagement
Introduces young Tulsi Gowda as a curious child—mirroring the curiosity children naturally have.
Focus on feelings & sensory descriptions—how Tulsi felt the soil, heard the trees, and saw the forest change over time.
Balance authenticity & accessibility, making an important story easy to absorb.
Focuses on small, relatable moments—watching a sapling grow, feeling the soil, observing animals in the forest.
Historical & Cultural Accuracy – Ensuring Tulsi Gowda’s experiences, speech, and cultural background were faithfully represented.
Merge Tulsi Gowda’s real-life story with a simple, engaging structure for children.
Maintains a strong emotional arc—showing her passion for trees, the challenges she faced, and her lifelong dedication to nature.
Simplicity for Early Readers – Complex ideas like afforestation were conveyed through relatable visuals & short sentences.
Add engaging dialogue to make the story feel more interactive for young readers.
Iterative Writing Process: Early Drafts & Revisions
The writing process involved multiple iterations, each informed by feedback from usability testing with children & parents.
Color Palette
I chose a palette that juxtaposes the vibrant tones of flourishing greenery with the muted hues symbolising nature’s destruction. This contrast creates a consistent theme throughout the book, ensuring that neither element overpowers the narrative while portraying the difference.
Typography
For typography, I selected clean, playful fonts that are engaging for young readers yet maintain clear legibility. The chosen typeface complements the illustrations and reinforces the book’s message without distracting from its visual storytelling.
