A small dinosaur. A wide world. A brighter tomorrow. The Social Project Foundation is developing Crascus: a kind, curious companion who invites children to explore, create and care.

It began with a quiet moment

During a visit to Rathna’s family connected with our first school-fees project, one of her sons sat colouring with deep concentration and visible joy. There was no elaborate activity or flashing screen: just a child, colours and time to explore. That moment stayed with us. What if a friendly character could open more spaces like this, for imagination, conversation and discovery?

Read the school-fees project story →

Meet your small companion for big discoveries

Crascus is an explorer, a friend and a helper. Kind and caring, playful and brave, he approaches unfamiliar places with curiosity. He can be wise without knowing everything, adventurous without leaving anyone behind. Above all, he is a small dinosaur with a big heart, always looking for a brighter tomorrow.

Through his adventures, we want to introduce places and historical stories with care, distinguish fact from fantasy, and ask questions children can explore together: How might someone else feel? What can we learn from this place? How could we help our community?

First stop: a world children can colour

We plan to begin with a small digital colouring book that families can download and print at home. Crascus will explore different places around the world, leaving plenty of room for children to add their own colours and ideas. Friendship, everyday life or caring for a place. Children should be free to take their time, invent a story train their imagination or simply enjoy colouring.

The book is in development and is not available to download yet. We will share sample pages here as the artwork takes shape. Further ahead, we hope to create a 3D Crascus and a children’s picture book: a consistent, expressive character who can accompany many more stories.

More curiosity. Less competing for attention.

Our intention is not to make learning louder or faster. Colouring gives children choices; a story gives those choices meaning; a caring adult can invite reflection without turning every page into a test. A familiar character may make questions feel more approachable.

Rathna’s son inspired us; his enjoyment leads us.

Help bring Crascus to life

Volunteer opportunities. We are inviting creative collaborators to contribute to a social-purpose education project. One artist may cover several areas, or a small team can share the journey. You do not need every skill below: tell us which part you would enjoy helping with.

01 / Character designer & colouring-book illustrator

Our first priority: develop Crascus’s visual personality, a consistent character sheet and clear, printable line art. Help create welcoming world-travel scenes with room for children’s imagination. Useful experience: children’s illustration, expressive character design and print-ready layouts. Share character sketches or relevant illustration work.

02 / 3D character sculptor & modeller

Translate the agreed design into a friendly, recognisable 3D character. Shape the silhouette and proportions, then develop clean topology and a model ready for UVs and rigging. Useful experience: Blender, ZBrush or a comparable character workflow. Share sculpts, wireframes or finished character models. This stage follows the core character design.

03 / Texture & look-development artist

Give Crascus a warm, coherent visual finish through UV mapping, textures and materials. Explore a gentle stylised look that remains readable across lighting conditions and printed pages. Share material studies, texture breakdowns or stylised characters. We will agree the software and handover format with the modelling team.

04 / Character rigger & facial-expression artist

Help Crascus move and express himself. Build a usable body rig, skin weights and facial controls or blendshapes for curiosity, kindness, surprise and thoughtful moments. Useful experience: stylised character deformation and approachable animator controls. Share a short rig demonstration or expression breakdown.

05 / Pose, lighting & rendering artist

Turn the rigged character into story moments: an encouraging glance, a helping hand, a first glimpse of somewhere new. Develop expressive poses, simple lighting and consistent renders for future picture-book exploration. Share character posing, scene composition or lighting examples. Animation is welcome, but not required for the first still-image stage.

06 / Children’s writer or education reviewer

Help us find a voice that is playful, clear and never patronising. Shape short prompts or review ideas for age suitability, accessibility, cultural sensitivity and historical accuracy. Share a writing sample or describe your education experience. We welcome thoughtful feedback before expanding into a full picture book.

Start with a conversation, not a commitment

A small, clearly defined contribution can be valuable. Please send existing work or an application test. We would love to hear what excites you about Crascus and what a realistic contribution would look like for you.

Apply to help bring Crascus to life →

Write your preferred role, portfolio links, experience and availability. An exploratory message is welcome too.

Crascus is still an idea taking shape. With the right people around him, we hope he can become a companion who makes the world feel a little more inviting, and reminds children that curiosity and kindness belong on every adventure.