ROCKET the CRICKET
Proof of Concept
Sonic Landscape
Rocket the Cricket’s playlist infuses classic storytelling with a touch of contemporary pop. The tracks reflect treasured moments for our little insects, hard earned lessons learned, and an appreciation for the natural world that sustains them.
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Rocket the Cricket
Series Bible
THE WORLD: THE LEISTER’S YARD
Physical Rules: To our best buddies, a driveway is Kilimanjaro. A garden hose unleashes white water rapids. We stay at bug-level, be that earthbound or airborne, experiencing the textures found in and around the Leister’s Yard.
The Humans: The Leister's are rarely seen in full, mostly heard as distant thuds or seen as massive feet (Mr. Leister enjoys gardening while barefoot.) Their discarded objects, such as broken picture frames and food wrappers, become the treasures and traps of our world.
The Tone: A warm aesthetic punched up or down by an early morning glow or twilight. The lighting is soft, mimicking the golden hour of late afternoon.
THE CORE CHARACTERS:
Rocket the Cricket - Good-natured and deeply loyal, he possesses a quiet gratitude for the safety of his home and a reasonably healthy respect for his parents’ warnings. While he does have a spark for adventure, he is primarily driven by the heart. He frequently finds himself in a pinch or a pickle, not because he’s reckless, but because he refuses to let his best friend face the Yard alone.
An Ant Named Poe - A boundless can-do spirit housed in a tiny, yet, perpetually hungry frame, he views the Yard not as a place of traps, but as a buffet of missed opportunities. His optimism is his greatest asset and his most dangerous trait. He’s the first to mistake a discarded piece of gum for a feast, often leading his best friend into sticky situations simply because he caught the scent of something sweet.
About the Author
Dana Taylor
Dana Taylor is an award-winning journalist and national digital editor for USA TODAY. Drawing on a career in high-end audio and video storytelling, she created Rocket the Cricket to bridge the gap between the timeless charm of classic children’s literature and the expansiveness of modern soundscapes. A journalist by day, she spends her quieter hours documenting the lives of little bugs.
I’m not an illustrator, but perhaps you can envision the eyes, arms and antennae that are juuust about to emerge through the leaves.