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!

Name

Workshops for Illustrators

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.

Illustration Resources

#HFGather: Illustrator Inspiration from Shadra Strickland & Kelly Light

#HFGather: Illustrator Inspiration from Shadra Strickland & Kelly Light

The Weird, Wonderful Wandering Ways of Watercolor

The Weird, Wonderful Wandering Ways of Watercolor

Breaking Through Those Creative Blocks: 9 Actions to Get You Back to Flow State

Breaking Through Those Creative Blocks: 9 Actions to Get You Back to Flow State

Juana Martinez-Neal on Creative Leaps and New Techniques

Juana Martinez-Neal on Creative Leaps and New Techniques

Get Involved at the Highlights Foundation

Stories from Our Highlights Foundation Alumni

How You Can Celebrate Floyd Cooper Day During Children’s Book Week (May 6)

How You Can Celebrate Floyd Cooper Day During Children’s Book Week (May 6)

Our Workshop “Highlights”: A Poem

Our Workshop “Highlights”: A Poem

These are your people, and this is your place

These are your people, and this is your place

From Scholarship to Workshop to Book with Traci Sorell

From Scholarship to Workshop to Book with Traci Sorell

Our Mission in Action

Share Your Story, Inspire a Child
Scholarships
Equity & Inclusion in Kidlit
Partners & Sponsors

The Highlights Foundation positively impacts children by amplifying the voices of storytellers who inform, educate, and inspire children to become their best selves.  Learn more about our impact.