Children’s Book Illustrations

Professional children’s book illustrations, from character design to full picture book spreads.

Here you’ll find a curated selection of my children’s book illustrations — from character designs to full picture book spreads and covers. These samples highlight my style and approach, but represent only a portion of the projects I’ve created for indie authors. Each book I illustrate is unique, and I tailor the artwork to match the heart of every story.

Hand-drawn acorn with leafy branches — brand mark for The Painted Acorn, children’s publishing & illustration studio
Children’s book illustration sketch — swan with crown and platypus in a pond scene, drawn with rocks, cattails, and fish

Sketch to Color

From outline to full expression.

A glimpse at how raw sketches evolve into vibrant scenes—layered with color, depth, and emotion.

Want to see how long a full children’s book illustration project typically takes? Here’s my
step-by-step timeline for illustrating a children’s book.

n-progress children’s book scene — platypus swimming near a crowned swan sketch, showing step-by-step coloring process
Finished children’s book spread — full-color illustration of a crowned swan and a platypus in a vibrant pond with plants and rocks
Final children’s book illustration — joyful cartoon beaver standing in front of orange flowers and green foliage, arms raised in excitement
Work-in-progress character illustration — partially colored squirrel with water droplet detail, surrounded by orange flowers and leafy greenery
Black-and-white character sketch for a children’s book — smiling cartoon bear among flowers and rocks, arms open wide

Curious about the cost of custom illustrations? Here’s my guide on how much it costs to hire a children’s book illustrator.

Illustration of an acorn with green and brown cap, flanked by green leaves on a yellow background.

Scenes

Storytelling through setting.

Every story needs a place to unfold. From enchanted forests to cozy hideaways, these scenes offer more than just backgrounds — they set the tone, deepen the mood, and draw readers into the world with heart and atmosphere.

Whimsical forest illustration featuring a turtle on a rock, a smiling fox near a tree, and vibrant flowers by a river — children's book style
Colorful underwater scene with two kids snorkeling and a playful octopus, surrounded by coral reefs and tropical sea life at sunset
Charming children’s book illustration of “Friendship Forest” — woodland setting with trees, mushrooms, and a cheerful blue-and-yellow bird on a forest sign
Whimsical illustration of forest animals — moose, goose, bear — sitting around a glowing campfire at night with a blue tent and pine trees in the background
Vibrant children's book illustration of six geese flying in a V formation across a pink, purple, and orange sunset sky above shimmering water
Illustration of an acorn with green cap and brown seed, flanked by green leaves on either side, set against a yellow background.

Characters

Bringing little personalities to life.

From cheeky woodland creatures to wide-eyed kids, the characters I illustrate are crafted to radiate emotion, spark curiosity, and build connection. Each one is designed with story at heart — expressive, endearing, and full of charm.

Playful cartoon shark smiling while swimming through blue water with bubbles trailing behind
Friendly cartoon beaver in a green vest, smiling and sitting
Cheerful cartoon reindeer with oversized antlers and a smiling meerkat perched playfully on top
Whimsical cartoon girl fairy with curly red hair and freckles, wearing fairy wings, a yellow outfit, and striped tights
fun bear with a friendly expression waving its paw at a small bee.
Cartoon owl with large eyes wearing vintage aviator goggles and a brown pilot hat, sitting with legs stretched forward
Gray cartoon mouse with a pink bow and blue eyes, standing on one leg with a wistful expression
Cartoon ferret with brown fur, cream face, large black eyes, and long tail, in a cautious stance.
Animated beaver mascot with brown fur, large front teeth, and a happy facial expression.
Animated cartoon beaver with brown fur, big teeth, tongue sticking out, and a goofy expression.
Cartoon lion's head illustration, centered, with a friendly expression and a mane.
A cartoon beaver with a concerned facial expression, large yellow eyes, brown fur, and a gray nose, against a white background.
Cartoon bear's face with a smiling expression, closed eyes, and a large nose.
Illustration of an acorn with green cap and brown nut, flanked by two symmetrical branches with green leaves on a yellow gradient background.

Book Covers & Interior Spreads

Designed to invite curiosity.

Books aren’t just judged by their covers… but let’s make sure yours gets picked up anyway. These pieces show how I blend charm, clarity, and story flow — all crafted to capture attention at first glance.

Every project here was created for independent authors, bringing their stories to life through thoughtful design and heartfelt illustration.

Cartoon book cover for 'Moose & Goose' showing a yellow car with a moose, bear, and bird driving through a forest with city buildings in the background. Includes camping gear, caution signs, and the book title on top.
Children’s book cover for 'Kiyara’s Toronto Adventure' with a cartoon girl in a blue dress and green backpack standing in front of the CN Tower and Toronto skyline.
cartoon aquarium scene with a woman and young girl looking at glowing jellyfish under purple and blue lighting, with sea life facts on the walls.
Book cover for 'Dax to the Max' showing cartoon kids Max and a boy flying through colorful outer space with bubbles and energy beams.
Illustrated children’s book cover for 'Marvin the Mindful Marmot' featuring a beaver in a green vest sitting on a tree stump, with mountains, trees, and a wooden hanging sign.
Book Your Illustration Project

Curious to see my illustrations in published books?
Visit my Books Illustrated page.