we create
children's books
for authors
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Human-made art · Free colored sample first · KDP/IngramSpark-ready files
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what we Offer

🎨 Self-publishing a children’s book takes more than pretty pictures. You need characters that stay consistent, pages that match your story, a cover that looks professional, and files prepared correctly for Amazon KDP or IngramSpark.

❤️ US Illustrations helps authors move from manuscript to publish-ready artwork with one team: character design, sketches, full-color illustrations, cover design, layout, and print-ready delivery.

🖌️ Before you commit, you can request a free colored character sample and see the style first.

Full cycle  

Book
Publishing

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projects
Custom character illustration for a children's storybook
Hand-drawn children's book scene with detailed characters
Whimsical children's picture book illustration with storybook characters

book layout

and cover

design

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projects
Children's book interior page layout design sample
Professional picture book spread with page layout design
Children's book cover design with custom character illustrations

Trusted by Children’s Book Authors

5.0 ★ on Google

Animating Children's Books Into Magic

character is the key!

Transform your children's book into professional animation.
US Illustrations creates engaging book animations, educational videos, and custom character designs for authors and publishers. Expert storytelling, quality animation, and captivating visuals that bring stories to life for YouTube, social media, and educational platforms.

Featured children's book illustration portfolio project
full cycle service

Full Book Support, From Illustration to Print-Ready Files

We help with character design, page illustrations, cover design, layout, and files prepared for Amazon KDP or IngramSpark.

Get a Free Colored Sample
request your free sketch

How Your Book Gets Illustrated

A simple process for self-published authors: free colored sample, character design, sketches, revisions, full-color pages, cover, layout, and print-ready files.

see working steps

explore Our portfolio

See real children’s book projects we’ve illustrated, from character design and full-color pages to covers and layout. Use these examples to find the style that fits your story.

Blue Gooby children's book illustration by Theresa Hill
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blue goo
by Theresa Hill

Billboard illustration project by AnoOne Agency
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billboards
by AnoOne Agency

Eva's Dream children's book illustration by Aris Raffich
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eva's dream
by Aris Raffich

The Bunny children's book illustration by Paul Wesel
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the bunny
by Paul Wesel

VIEW CHILDREN’S BOOK WORK

Book a children's book consultation

More feedback by Authors — 5.0 ★ on facebook

What our clients say

Google: 26 reviews, Facebook: 13 reviews, as shown in the widgets on 2026-10-13.

I worked with USIllustrations for my first children’s book, and they did a fantastic job! From start to finish, Lena kept me informed throughout the process, and my illustrator, Karine, brought my vision to life beautifully. The quality of the illustrations is exceptional. What stood out most to me was their patience and dedication—they were incredibly accommodating with revisions, making sure each illustration matched my vision perfectly. The team also delivered everything in a timely manner. I’ll definitely be working with USIllustrations again in the future!
Donnita PetersonGoogleSource
My book project turned out beautifully! US Illustrations is a very professional business with talented illustrators - it took close to 30 days to bring my book to life and I am very pleased with the results! Highly recommend their services! Karine was amazing, responsive and truly understood the vision for my first children's book!
Fernanda NevesGoogleSource
I highly recommend US Illustrations for your next project. Karine was very responsive and accommodating for my children's book that required a fair amount of world building and imagery. Illustrations were done with care and sent over on time; she was an excellent collaborator. Hope to work with her on future books!
Eric WarczinskyGoogleSource
As a retired business executive and first time author of children's books, it was my good fortune to work with Karine Makartichan of US Illustrations. Karine is not only a top notch illustrator, she is a true partner in the process of creating a book and bringing it to life.  She is insightful, responsive and highly collaborative; a pleasure to work with.  Lastly, Karine and her team delivered on their commitments, as the project came in on time and on budget. Needless to say, I highly recommend US Illustrations.
David YaleGoogleSource
I had a wonderful experience from start to finish with US Illustrations, especially Karine. This was my first time experience with illustrations and she helped answer all of my questions. She even helped me after my book was finalized. I felt comfortable with her as my illustrator. The work she does is also of very high quality and you can tell she has a strong passion for her work. The time she puts into each detail made my vision literally come to life. I am so happy and thankful I chose this company to complete my first children's book with. I will be back for my next book asap.
Tanya SmithFacebookSource
Karine did a wonderful job on my first children’s picture book. Her characters brought my book to life and she was always willing to make changes. She was very helpful , as I was a novice, with the formatting process and she was always very prompt answering my emails and finishing the illustrations. I always felt she was invested in my story and it showed in the illustrations. I will certainly use her again!
Victoria B.ThumbtackSource
I'm so glad I found this company! My experience was great. They were very informative with helping me understand the process of illustrating a children's book. The illustrations were so cute and it's everything I imagined for my book. I highly recommend US Illustrations. Plus, the pricing was really good. That was another reason I chose them.
Domonique HickmanGoogleSource
It was truly a fantastic experience working with Karine and her team at US Illustrations. They're professional and so sweet. The work that they accomplished on my book was extraordinary and pure art! I primarily wrote a children's book for my children and to share with others. Karine and her team were so friendly and top of everything. They truly brought the story I wrote to life in beautiful artwork. I highly recommend them and if I do make another book in the future, I would choose no one else to illustrate but US Illustrations!
Justin C.ThumbtackSource
Karine was great to work with! I was able to modify sketches and colors to my vision, which was liberating in creating the characters in my book. Very awesome experience overall. Thank you for helping bring my book to life in illustrations!
Mich ElleFacebookSource
I fell asleep with a dream and when I woke up Karine at US Illustrations had turned it into a reality! Our level of imagination blended seamlessly on this project and truly I can't wait for the next! I reached out to several illustrators before selected US Illustrations. I wanted to be sure I could trust someone with something as special as my first children's book. They were fast, professional and have gone above and beyond! … I was shocked when I received the free trial sketch of my character because he truly was everything and more! It was as if she was in my mind, I still don't know how they managed to do it. He couldn't have been more perfect! I had a phone call with Lena and she answered all my questions and by the end of our call I knew they'd be the illustration company I wanted to go with. Karine responded to every email almost within the day I sent or the very next day. She was open to critiques (which I had very very few) and she was such a pleasure to work with. I loved the minor touches to the finalized book which made all the difference and I feel she was also personally invested in my book which says a lot. …
Hallie LoperFacebookSource
Answers To

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions from self-published authors before starting a children’s book illustration project.

What should I consider when hiring an illustrator for my children's book?


When hiring an illustrator for your children's book, you should consider their experience, style, and availability. Look for an artist who has a strong portfolio of children's book illustrations and is able to create the type of artwork you are looking for. You should also make sure the illustrator is available to complete the project within your desired timeline. Feel free to schedule a FREE consultation call with us and we will guide you through the entire process.

How much does it typically cost to hire an illustrator for a children's book?


The cost to hire an illustrator for a children's book varies based on factors like the illustrator's experience, the difficulty of the project, and the amount of work needed. To get the best deal, you should compare quotes from several different illustrators. And, if you're looking for a quick and easy solution, US Illustrations can provide you with a full quote within 24 hours! Fill out the form below and get started.

How do I determine the right number of illustrations for my children's book?


The right number of illustrations for a children's book can depend on a variety of factors, including the length of the book, the age group of the intended audience, and the type of illustrations you are looking for. It's a good idea to work with your illustrator to determine the best number of illustrations for your book. Click the button below to schedule a FREE consultation with our professional illustrators.

How do I communicate my vision for the illustrations in my children's book?


To communicate your vision for the illustrations in your children's book, you should provide your illustrator with detailed descriptions of your characters, settings, and scenes. You can also provide examples of artwork or styles that you like to give the illustrator an idea of what you are looking for. Working with US ILLUSTRATIONS, things work much more accessible. You can simply fill out our Character Form, and we will bring your vision to life by creating a FREE character illustration within 24 hours. Please feel free to fill out our Character Form below.

request free illustration

How do I ensure that illustrations in my children's book match the tone and style of the text?


To ensure that the illustrations in your children's book match the tone and style of the text, you should discuss your vision for the book with our illustrators and provide them with examples of the type of artwork you are looking for. You should also be open to feedback and revisions from the illustrator to ensure that the illustrations and text are cohesive.

How do I handle copyright issues with the illustrations in my children's book?


discussing copyright with the illustrator before starting the project is important to avoid any issues with the illustrations in your children's book. You need to discuss copyright issues with the illustrator before starting the project. Make sure to have a written agreement that outlines the terms of the collaboration and protects both parties. US Illustrations offers full copyright ownership, which is clearly stated in our contract with authors.

Can I see a rough draft of the illustrations before they are finalized?


Yes, we always send a rough draft before they are finalized (we call them "Sketches"). It's a good idea to work with your illustrator to establish a timeline and review process that allows you to provide feedback and make any necessary revisions before the final artwork is completed.

Children's book illustrator consulting with an author

Can I make changes to the illustrations in my children's book after they have been completed?


Yes, it is typically possible to make changes to the illustrations in your children's book after they have been completed. However, it's important to keep in mind that making significant changes to the artwork after it has been completed can be time-consuming and may incur additional costs. It's a good idea to communicate any changes you would like to make to the illustrator before the final artwork is delivered. However, you can always adjust the initial draft stage - at no cost.

Professional children's book illustration FAQ guide
View our pricing
the creative squad

meet our team

US Illustrations is a team of professional artists and project managers focused on children’s books. We help self-published authors with character design, full-page illustrations, cover design, layout, and print-ready files. You work with a guided creative process, not a random freelancer.

Children's book illustration sample by Arus, US Illustrations artist

Arus

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Children's book illustration sample by Nare, US Illustrations artist

Nare

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Children's book illustration sample by Karine, US Illustrations artist

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Children's book illustration sample by Lucy, US Illustrations artist

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more to read

AUTHOR RESOURCES

Helpful guides for self-published children’s book authors: hiring an illustrator, planning your budget, choosing a style, preparing your manuscript, and getting your book ready for print.

Ready to See Your Character in Color?

Request a free colored sample before starting your children’s book project.

GET A FREE COLORED SAMPLE
Request a free children's book character illustration
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Get Your Quote

Tell us about your animation project to get a custom quote