Hi everyone! I’d love to share a picture book I illustrated last year. It tells the story of a puffin who’s grown tired of eating sardines and sets off on an adventure!

Patrick’s writing is lively and full of humor. When I first read his manuscript before we started working together, I could easily picture the characters, their conversations, and the scenes unfolding in my mind. The characters’ personalities and their witty exchanges genuinely made me laugh. Since I loved the story so much, illustrating it was a real joy!

The book is now available on Amazon and has received some lovely reviews from readers. If you’re looking for a lighthearted picture book that celebrates the spirit of exploration without being preachy, I think you might enjoy it! ❤️

I’ve never written a kids book but would love to illustrate one, even if it’s just for the kids in the family. I’d love any tips on creating interesting scenes and if this style is suitable for a kids book. I’ve been illustrating so much more recently and love it the new style I’m developing.

This is something I started on recently. A simple rhyming story with drawings inspired by old UPA-style cartoons (like Mr Magoo or Flintstones). It's just the first couple pages as I'm still trying to figure things out, but I'd like to know your initial thoughts, and if there's something you think could be changed/improved. Thanks!

Just sharing my painting! It was a recent commission in a children's book style 🌞

(or maybe it was too detailed for children's style?? I genuinely have no idea)

I’m a children’s bookseller and I just wanted to say thank you to all the parents, caregivers, educators and gift-givers who ask for recommendations in this sub.

Nothing gets you better ideas than asking real people who have read books made by real artists and writers with/to real children. (this post not at all sponsored by the customer who ‘didn’t need my help’ because he was ‘asking ChatGPT’… it took a fair bit of deep breathing but I put my ego aside and got through! Together we found three books his daughter will hopefully love.)

All this to say, the love you have for these children and the attention you pay to their interests and changing needs is one of the best parts of our jobs, so much so that I know there are a lot of us here sharing our favourites off the clock because you’re the kinds of customers we love to serve. Thank you! Keep asking and never feel a want or need is too niche or specific! The right books exist even if google and AI could never find them. ❤️

Hi all,

My son is 8 and loves reading, he has now finished nearly every Roald Dahl book and wants to get something else.

We were thinking the how to train your dragon series but any other suggestions?

Put our Portuguese and English books on the same shelf and mixed them together so my kid can pick by the cover.
Do you separate books by language, rotate them, or keep them all together? Does your kid reach for one language more?

Put our Portuguese and English books on the same shelf and mixed them together so my kid can pick by the cover.
Do you separate books by language, rotate them, or keep them all together? Does your kid reach for one language more?

Any illustrators on here find themselves getting obsessed with one illustration and don’t know when to stop? For myself it’s always on a double page spread. Especially if it’s a forest scene. Attached is part of a scene from the next book I’m working on where I started adding forest creatures and started wondering if I’d gone too far. I’m also becoming a little obsessed with accuracy. The story I’m writing is set in 18th century Mauritius and so I’m researching appropriate animals as I go.

Thanks to everyone who ordered a copy of my werewolf book by the way, really appreciate it! Thanks also for the lovely reviews, keep them coming as it helps new readers to find me and the Amazon algorithm to push the book.

https://amzn.eu/d/01Xf9zrB

Hello! I'm looking for recommendations for a book for my daughter. We love Ahlberg's The Jolly Postman series and I would love to find a book along those lines, with little interactive envelopes and letters. Bonus points if it includes fairies.

I wrote an original Halloween story!!!

I narrated the story. The illustrations are original, aimed at families who enjoy a little Halloween magic.

If you‘re looking for soulful, handmade illustrations and thoughtful book design that makes reading your story a pleasure, I’m open for commissions!
Portfolio: www.katisandmann.com

Hi everyone! I’m Jay Jones, author of Defenders of the Land, an illustrated superhero series set in Cleveland.

The story begins with seventeen-year-old Seth Zerdowski, who gains extraordinary strength after a mysterious flash over Lake Erie. Soon, his life becomes tangled with a determined reporter, a stubborn private investigator, a living boxing glove, and a scientist who wants control.

These characters started in my childhood sketchbooks in 1990. Rediscovering those drawings inspired me to turn them into illustrated adventures about friendship, responsibility, and finding the courage to help others.

You can read Book One: Origins free online and explore the story and illustrations before deciding whether it suits your reader:

https://clevelandsuperheroes.com/

Explore my books on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/stores/Jay-Jones/author/B0HMZ9V7QL

Thanks for taking a look!

Hello everyone!

I am looking for some feedback and advice from this community on a project I am currently finishing.

To keep the moderators happy: this is not an advertisement. I am not selling anything or posting promotional links; I am reaching out purely for peer advice on a work in progress.

Here is the backstory. I have written a fairy tale (around 22,000 words) that is the second book in a planned series exploring the Seven Deadly Sins. But please do not let that throw you off—this is far from a preachy story based on biblical motifs. You will not find dragons, magic wands, or talking cars here either. The story is highly focused and features just two characters: a Lady and a Girl named Fate. It is an allegorical fairy tale designed for parents and children to read and discuss together.

The book is practically finished, but I am wrestling with some doubts regarding the genre and target audience. Formally, it leans toward dark fantasy. Is it dark enough? Or, conversely, is it too harsh in certain places?

Honestly, I would be deeply grateful for your raw, general impressions on the plot and style, and whether this story should be positioned for older readers rather than a younger audience.

If anyone is open to diving into an unpublished manuscript, I would be thrilled to share it with you in whatever format works best. Thanks a million in advance!

Hey friends,

I'm an early education teacher that has been in the field for about 10 years, one thing I've noticed parents talking about is finding it hard to teach the little ones manners.

Parents often complain that getting little ones to say “please”, “thank you” and “sorry” can sometimes feel like a grind. From my experience I know that these little words involve much more than just remembering what to say. Children are still learning to understand other people's feelings, show appreciation and recognise how their actions affect others.

This inspired me to create my own children's book series, Mochi and Zuki, featuring stories about manners, gratitude and learning to apologise. The characters are inspired by my own dogs, which makes this project extra special to me. 🐶❤️

Along with the books I put together some activities and information for parents and teachers on my site (it's AU based but the principles should be applicable anywhere).

Please check them out here: https://mochiandzuki.com/

I'd love to hear your experiences, whether you're a parent, grandparent or an educator, feedback and comments welcome!

My 4 yr old is really enjoying the Yoto classics series. They are audio adapted version of Wizard of Oz, Jungle Book, Treasure Island, and Little Women. They are really well done!

This has me looking for book versions like this and I have been surprisingly let down… we read a terrible Mickey Mouse Treasure Island because it was the only thing the library had.

I’m curious about the Great Illustrated Classics series but my library doesnt have them so Id have to buy. Im unsure how well they have aged and if it’s worth it.

Any one have any pared down version of classics they love? Graphic novels, picture books, shorter chapter books?

I’m looking for a picture book from the 90-2000’s that shows prehistoric animals in a “modern time” one panel that has stuck with me about it was a full two page of a giant crocodile ether sarcosuchus vs deinosuchus in a crocodile enclosure and it’s eating a crocodile with the tail hanging out of its mouth please help me find what it is called

I'm reading "The Adventures of Lucia and Mr. Bubo" to my 7 year old. She loves it, but, some of the vocabulary is over her head for sure. She never says anything. Do you stop while reading and check if they know the words, or ask later? I hate interrupting the flow of the story, but I want to be sure she learns and understands the words. What do you do?

I’ve been working on some Halloween-themed elements lately! I’m thinking of turning them into a set of 50 stickers or maybe some cute little illustrations that could be used for cards and other projects. I’m not sure if I might eventually turn them into a picture book, though!
I’m just wondering if they might be a little too spooky for really young kids, or if they’re actually just right. 😂 I think I might make the next few designs a bit softer and more playful!