Ted the Turtle update

I'm working on the style that I want to make the Ted the Turtle book for Jake.  I'm currently enjoying the flat more iconic Ted I have drawn here, but I am not sure if I can leave the simplicity of just the drawing and a bit of color.

Here is a test of me adding texture by making the book from found scraps of paper.  I think I can make the whole thing a bit journal like (the urgent jottings on what ever can be found).  I am not sure if I like this style over all, but I find it intriguing.  I can mix painting (the bread will always be painted), with iconic Ted and then maybe mix photography (redo gears with real gears).

I'll paint it up like I normally do, and then do a simple drawing on colored background so I can compare.