A few weeks back, I asked Reddit for feedback on the cover of my illustrated children's book, Jimmy's Two Homes.

And people started roasting me over my cover.

I was so attached to my original cover that I hadn't noticed the obvious. It was cute, maybe even cute enough for a bookstore shelf. But as a tiny Amazon thumbnail? Did not work. And worse, it didn't really tell the story.

So, between looking after my baby daughter and questioning just about every artistic decision I'd ever made, I spent a week redesigning it.

Here's the result! (First picture is the new cover, second one the original one.)

When Mom and Dad don’t live together, life can feel confusing.

No one knows that better than Jimmy.

His Mom is a hippo, his Dad a lion, and each of his homes feels like a different world. When Ms. Zebra asks her class to draw a picture of their home and talk about their family, Jimmy doesn't know which one to choose. He wishes he had just one home, like everyone else.

But Jimmy is about to discover that no family is perfect, and that having two homes can also mean twice the love.

I'm still a very small indie author, but something lovely has started happening: people I've never met are buying my book. Not just friends and family anymore. Actual strangers!

No bestseller story here, just a small milestone that means a lot.

I'd love to hear what you think of the new cover.

Book: Jimmy's Two Homes on Amazon

One of my favourite books when I was little was “Hand, Hand, Fingers, Thumb,” and I was lucky enough to read the hardcover before I read the board book. My favourite part of that book was the “Hello, Jack, hello, Jake” part. You can imagine my shock when I read the board book and that part was completely removed.

I also had the board book edition of “Dr. Seuss’s ABC”. In that version, each section begins with “Big [letter], little [letter], what begins with [letter]?” I was amazed when I first read the hardcover, which has a lot more variety. For example, the entry for O is “O is very useful. You use it when you say, Oscar’s only ostrich oiled an orange owl today.” The entry for X also uses words that end with X and therefore use the “ks” sound that is usually associated with X, while the board book uses “X-ray” and “xylophone”.

These are just two examples, but in general the hardcovers are just so much more fun to read.

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Hello, I’m a senior in college and I am planning on doing a children’s book for my thesis project. Does anyone have any suggestions on affordable ish places to print a book at? I would appreciate websites or phone numbers so I can get a quote!! Thanks :)

Finished doing the first round. What else should I do to enhance the sketch? I really wanted to add sparkles to the flower girl dress, but couldn't figure out how 🥲.

Let’s see your top 5 wish list books! With holidays coming, I’m always like “is it silly to ask for children’s books?” but as a primary teacher and parent, I truly think it’s a great idea!

Here are my top 5 picks (of the moment- they change constantly!)

(And the Jon Klassen & Jess Hannigan is a preorder- comes out in February but I love them both so much!)

I just thought I should share the “spooky” books I have for my read alouds this month. I teach grade 1/2 and we do at least one read aloud a day- sometimes 2 or 3.

Which ones am I missing? Collecting books is my hobby 😅

This is Molfarka, a forest witch who changed her mind about being a witch and decided to become a fortune teller by the stars in the city.

An illustration from my children's book "Fofles in the Witch's Kitchen"

If you're curious, have a look here ⬇️

https://a.co/d/0cul9prf

Wishing you magical autumn days!

Been practicing an alt art style to my typical comic art style, what do you think? This was just a quick 2hrs character design sketch. This is my typical art https://www.behance.net/sketchbomb

My kid is BONKERS for Frog and Toad. Like, read the entirety of one of the books every night bonkers, only 2 but is quoting lines from the stories when he plays/toddler babbling summaries of favorites to us. But I don't want him to get bored of them! I got Owl in his House, which he seems to enjoy too-- not as much as Frog and Toad, but he laughs really hard @ how irritated Owl gets with what a terrible houseguest winter is lol.

Any Lobel favorites? Or other writers at a similar level who manage to strike that sweet balance of cozy/neurotic that Lobel does so well?

My son really wants a pug, but unfortunately, we can’t get a dog. So, as an illustrator, I decided to draw him playing pirates with his dream pug! He was so thrilled when he saw the drawing, and honestly, his smile made my day unforgettable!

I am visiting my kids class to read this week and I'm looking for recommendations of books to read out loud. It needs to be a picture book or very short book. My kid says he doesn't have any suggestions. Our local library is short staffed and don't usually have a children's library on staff.

Thanks!

I really love this somewhat muted background because it makes the pops of color really pop. But now I wonder if the colors are actually harmonious?

I've been undergoing a very tough midlife crisis, recovering from severe burnout, currently lucking for work and trying to shape my second half of life so that I'm not the workaholic robot I was for 15 years.

During this existential void, I've reconnected with my childhood's favorite author, Astrid Lindgren.

I grew up in the late 80s/90s in Southern Europe.

I've just finished reading my first book ever, Karlsson on the Roof.

Has anyone experienced anything like this and has somehow found it therapeutical?

My kindergartener absolutely loves this series, and they hit right at his current reading level. Anybody have similar recommendations for a new reader?

Note: yes we know about and love Elephant and Piggie. Alas, he has them all basically memorized so I'm looking for brand new books so that he can practice his decoding, fluency, etc.

Thanks!

I have this really bad habit of starting a new project before finishing the one in progress 🫠. But when this idea came to me, I just couldn't resist picking up my pencil and drawing.

The Flower Girl Mission is on its way...

I can’t seem to find any pictures of what the inside looks like. If you have this book, please help a mum out and share some pictures. Thankyou!!

The best part of being a children's picture book artist is helping authors bring their stories to life in ways they never expected.

For this cover of a true story about two special people, it was important not to reveal who the people are. While sketching concept ideas, I noticed a hummingbird outside my studio window. Of course! I thanked the little hummingbird and got to work. The tulip field is also essential to this true story.

We read Desmond Cole Ghost Patrol to our son every night before bed. He’s obsessed and loves their adventures. We have maybe three books left until the next one comes out. So with that said I am looking for more bedtime chapter books that have a similar vibe or are at least fun like those ones are. For reference he is about to turn 6.