Whimsical Kindness Kids Book Illustrations

I’m putting together a picture book for children aged 3–6 that celebrates simple acts of kindness through the eyes of child protagonists. To bring the story to life, I need a series of hand-drawn illustrations rendered in a whimsical hand-sketched style, finished with either watercolor washes or colored-pencil textures—whichever medium best preserves a soft, story-time charm when scanned for print. I don’t want the illustrations to look digital or cartoonish. The manuscript runs 17 interior pages plus a cover, and each spread calls for a full-bleed scene featuring children interacting with one another and their surroundings while doing acts of kindness or doing something thoughtful. Expressive faces and soft playful colors are key; I want young readers to feel warmth and joy the moment they open the book. I am open to the characters being animals instead of children. Deliverables • Rough character sketches for approval • Full-color finals for 12 double-page spreads, 12 single-page spots, and a wrap-around cover (CMYK, 300 dpi, layered TIFF or PSD) • Title text placement left editable • Copyright assignment and permission to use images across print, e-book, and promotional channels Once roughs are approved, we can move through color in two or three milestones so feedback stays quick and focused. If you love illustrating children in imaginative, slightly quirky settings and can capture the gentle spirit of kindness, I’d be happy to share the full description and discuss timelines.