Tell Your Story: Illustration

Picture books, board books, graphic novels, nonfiction, early readers, chapter books: all of these genres need illustrations for children to relate with and respond to.

Whether you’re new to children’s book illustration or an experienced artist who is curious about how to get started in children’s publishing, we can help you learn more with resources and workshops.

#HFGather on Income Streams for Children's Book Illustrators

PDF Download of Income Streams for Children's Book Illustrators

Want to learn more about building your career as an illustrator?

The Highlights Foundation held a free #HFGather session on income streams for illustrators with Pat Cummings, Shadra Strickland, Xindi Yan, and Rudy Gutierrez.

Join our community and download our Free #HFGather Wrap-Up, a one-page PDF that includes advice from the panelists, a list of 28 ways they've earned or pursued income through illustration, and a link to access the full recording of the webinar!

Workshops for Illustrators

From Pencil or Paint to Pixel: A Two-Night Mini for Beginning Illustrators

Starts: May 20, 2025

Summer Camp in Illustration: Intensive Artistic Inspiration

Starts: July 6, 2025

Picture Book Authors and Illustrators: Working Retreat

Starts: September 13, 2025

From Idea & Sketch to Dummy & Submission: An Author/Illustrator Online Course

Starts: September 30, 2025

Just Do It! Your Collaborative Support Group for Finishing Your Draft (Fall)

Starts: October 8, 2025

Successful School Visits for Authors and Illustrators: An Online Course

Starts: October 28, 2025

Explore Our Illustration Workshops

Inspiring Children Through Story

“My picture book … deals with parents separating. One little boy, who parents recently divorced, went to bed with [it] many nights. This deeply moved me to know this picture book helped this little boy.”

“I tutor 2nd grade reluctant readers. My understanding of picture book structure and prose allows me to help them learn more than words. Rather than just read the story, we talk about it.”

“You mean I get to keep this book forever?”

…Spoken by a child in tears who was gifted with one of my books at a school visit and had never owned a book before.

“When I hear kids giggle while I’m reading [my book] I feel like I’ve done the job I intended to do.“