Illustrator needed for Children's Picture Book
Budget: $30 – $250 USD
Book title: The You That's True.
Illustrator Brief – Children’s Picture Book
Author: Becca Doss
Target Audience: Ages 3–8
Length: Approx. 700 words / 32 pages (standard picture book format)
Illustration Style Requested: Playful, expressive, and emotionally resonant illustrations that balance whimsy and depth. Diverse, relatable characters and imaginative visual metaphors are encouraged to support the book’s themes of identity, emotion, and authenticity. Vibes similar to Dr. Seuss since the manuscript is Seuss-esque.
Project Overview:
The you that's true is a rhyming children’s picture book that explores the idea of emotional masks and the power of being your true self. Using playful, engaging language and vivid imagery, the book helps young readers understand that while it’s okay to feel different things or pretend sometimes, they are most special when they are simply themselves. The narrative encourages emotional honesty, self-acceptance, and connection with others by being real.
Each spread introduces a new “mask” (happy, brave, thankful, etc.), using imaginative scenarios to show how children sometimes hide their real feelings. The story gently shifts to reveal the limitations of masks and ends with a powerful, uplifting message about self-worth and the beauty of individuality.
Illustration Needs:
• Visual metaphors for various emotional “masks” (e.g., a bravery mask leading to a cave adventure)
• Warm, dynamic characters that reflect diverse identities and expressions
• A balance of fantasy and grounded scenes, inviting both imagination and emotional relatability
• Subtle visual storytelling that adds depth to the theme of discovering your true self beneath the mask
Goal: To create a visually rich, emotionally meaningful picture book that supports young children in understanding their feelings, embracing who they are, and connecting authentically with others. The various masks may be best approached as a walk in closet the character enters each page, or a room wok a lot of doors, one marching each mask, and the scene being the kid character trying on that emotional mask and going into the situation. Or anything similar that seems more appropriate based on your illustration experience.
Illustrator Brief – Children’s Picture Book
Author: Becca Doss
Target Audience: Ages 3–8
Length: Approx. 700 words / 32 pages (standard picture book format)
Illustration Style Requested: Playful, expressive, and emotionally resonant illustrations that balance whimsy and depth. Diverse, relatable characters and imaginative visual metaphors are encouraged to support the book’s themes of identity, emotion, and authenticity. Vibes similar to Dr. Seuss since the manuscript is Seuss-esque.
Project Overview:
The you that's true is a rhyming children’s picture book that explores the idea of emotional masks and the power of being your true self. Using playful, engaging language and vivid imagery, the book helps young readers understand that while it’s okay to feel different things or pretend sometimes, they are most special when they are simply themselves. The narrative encourages emotional honesty, self-acceptance, and connection with others by being real.
Each spread introduces a new “mask” (happy, brave, thankful, etc.), using imaginative scenarios to show how children sometimes hide their real feelings. The story gently shifts to reveal the limitations of masks and ends with a powerful, uplifting message about self-worth and the beauty of individuality.
Illustration Needs:
• Visual metaphors for various emotional “masks” (e.g., a bravery mask leading to a cave adventure)
• Warm, dynamic characters that reflect diverse identities and expressions
• A balance of fantasy and grounded scenes, inviting both imagination and emotional relatability
• Subtle visual storytelling that adds depth to the theme of discovering your true self beneath the mask
Goal: To create a visually rich, emotionally meaningful picture book that supports young children in understanding their feelings, embracing who they are, and connecting authentically with others. The various masks may be best approached as a walk in closet the character enters each page, or a room wok a lot of doors, one marching each mask, and the scene being the kid character trying on that emotional mask and going into the situation. Or anything similar that seems more appropriate based on your illustration experience.