A Guide to Illustration Styles in Children’s Picture Books
Be honest, when you are roaming the bookstore looking for your next read, what stands out to you first?
Chances are, it’s the cover.
Visuals have such a way of drawing us in, don’t they?
It’s the same way for children. When they browse books, they’re drawn to the ones that catch their eye. Before they even read the title, the illustrations are pulling them in with the colours, the characters, and even the small details.
However, when it comes to figuring out which illustrations are going to stand out to your readers, it’s not just about having “pretty pictures.” It’s all about choosing the style that is going to fit your story and speak to your ideal audience.
In this blog, I’m going to share with you some of the most common illustration styles (with examples) to choose from and why choosing the right one can help your book truly connect with your readers.
3 Common Illustration Styles in Picture Books
1. Cartoon-Style Illustrations
When you hear “cartoon,” you probably picture something right away—maybe classic characters like those in Mickey Mouse or Looney Tunes, or comic books with bold lines and speech bubbles. But what actually defines cartoon style? Cartoons typically have vibrant colours with exaggerated drawings that capture the characters, their emotions, and their actions in a playful way. While many people may associate cartoons with 2D drawings, they can just as easily be 3D or digitally created today.
Key Features of Cartoon Illustrations:
Simplified Shapes: Characters tend to have big heads, small bodies, or really exaggerated features.
Expressive Emotions: Characters will typically have easy-to-read facial expressions and emotions.
Bright Colours: Many cartoons will use bold, saturated colours to grab attention, making them very popular for children.
Exaggeration: Characters may have movements that do not depict real life, such as a jaw dropping to the floor.
Why Choose Cartoon Illustrations?
You may choose cartoon illustrations if:
You want your book to be humorous, fun, and quirky.
You are discussing a complex topic and want it to feel approachable.
You want to play with exaggeration for character emphasis.
You want your visuals to stand out to your reader.
Examples of Cartoon Illustrations in Children’s Books:
The Adventures of the P.E. Gang: The Mystery of the Missing Equipment
Written by Anthony Vekich
Illustrated by Phoebe Martins
Although this is 3D rendered, it still carries a cartoon aesthetic. The children have large heads with big eyes, and the colours are bold and playful.
Carol the Carrot Bowls for the Salad Bowl
Written by Chelsea Chong Kim
Illustrated by Michelle Simpson
This children's book gives cute, human-like features to vegetables, using highly saturated colours to make the book eye-catching. Even the title uses a bouncy, playful font to tell a child-friendly story.
2. Whimsical-Style Illustrations
Magical, dreamy, fantastical, enchanting—all words to define whimsical. Maybe you picture a garden of giant, colourful mushrooms or a fantasy world where animals wear clothes and host tea parties. Whimsical illustrations are designed to blend fantasy with reality, often feeling like they come straight from a child’s imagination. They generally feel heartwarming and tied to a childlike wonder because of how imaginative they feel.
Key Features of Whimsical Illustrations:
Dreamlike Feel: These illustrations will often look like they’re from a fairytale.
Delicate Lines and Soft Shapes: Instead of thick outlines or bold shapes, you’ll often see fine linework or flowing curves.
Muted/Pastel Colours: Whimsical illustrations tend to have a softer mood, with muted or pastel palettes.
Unexpected Elements: Whimsical illustrations tend to use magical or surprising elements.
Why Choose Whimsical Illustrations?
You may choose whimsical illustrations if:
Your story invites imagination with dreamy or magical elements.
You want to evoke a sense of wonder in your reader.
You want your visuals to feel soft, charming, and delicate.
Examples of Whimsical Illustrations in Children’s Books:
Written by Laura-Lee Blackmore
Illustrated by Paul Schultz
The cover features a cosy gazebo, gentle rain, and muted colours, all of which come together to create a dreamy, peaceful atmosphere for a whimsical feel.
Doggy and Scruffy Go to the Creek
Written and illustrated by May Sulpice
This cover uses soft colours, enchanting dog characters, and a playful nature scene that make it feel like it belongs in a fairytale.
3. Watercolour-Style Illustrations
Watercolour is a style of painting where the paints mix with water to create a fluid and light colour. This style has become increasingly popular to use in children’s books because of its airy and natural feel. These illustrations are known to give off a timeless and soft look in children’s books. Some illustrators may still work with a real brush and paint, but technology has advanced, and many can create the same watercolour look through digital tools.
Key Features of Watercolour Illustrations:
Blended Colours: You’ll notice that watercolour illustrations often use colours that fade into each other seamlessly.
Hand-Painted Look: Even when printed, you’ll still see brushstrokes and colour variations.
Natural Textures: The way the water spreads the paint often gives the illustrations an organic and natural feel.
Why Choose Watercolour Illustrations?
You may choose watercolour illustrations if:
You want your book to have a soft, dreamy, or gentle tone.
You want your landscapes, animals, or florals to have a natural texture.
You want your book to stand apart from other digitised styles.
Examples of Watercolour Illustrations in Children’s Books:
Written by Suzy Gray, PhD
Illustrated by Estelle Corke
This dreamy cover includes pinks, blues, and purples that blend smoothly together. You'll also notice the subtle brush strokes that give this cover an enchanting feel.
Written by Sylvia Morrison
Illustrated by Orchard Lyceum
Different from the left, this cover uses rich greens, earthy browns, and warm yellows to match the cultural tone of the book. The watercolour works harmoniously to blend the sky, trees, and hills.
I Know My Illustration Style—What’s Next?
Once you’ve landed on your illustration style, it’s time to find your illustrator. You can search around online through different agencies, pick an artist from a children’s book you already love, or contact a local college to find an up-and-coming illustrator. Remember, before you hire an illustrator, it’s important that you always ask to see their work, establish a contract, and remain flexible through the process.
Want to know exactly how to find your illustrator and what your contract should ALWAYS include?
Download this freebie: Find Your Illustrator & Protect Your Children's Book: 7 Illustrator Contract Must-Haves
FAQs
What are the most common types of illustrations in children’s books?
Cartoon, whimsical, and watercolour are three of the most popular options for illustration styles. Cartoon style has vibrant colours with exaggerated drawings. Whimsical tends to blend fantasy with reality for an imaginative feel. Watercolour illustrations are airy and light, with soft textures and a hand-painted, natural look.
How can I describe what I want to my illustrator?
When finding an illustrator, you can use words like bold, saturated colours, exaggerated shapes, light, airy, enchanting, magical, muted, and pastel to help describe what you want. You can also find children’s books with illustrations you love at the store or library and show those to your illustrator.
How do I find an illustrator?
Look through online directories, find one by looking at other books, or contact a local school to see if any artists are looking for an opportunity.
