Is It Okay to Use AI to Write or Illustrate a Children’s Book?

Lately, I’ve been hearing the same question over and over from aspiring children’s book authors:

“Is it legal to use AI for my book?”

The concern is understandable. AI is everywhere right now, and when something moves this fast, uncertainty follows. Authors are wondering whether they are allowed to use AI to help write their stories, whether AI-created illustrations are safe to publish, and—most importantly—who actually owns the book at the end of the process.

If you are feeling unsure, you are not alone. I want to bring clarity to what AI can be used for, where the risks lie, and why creative ownership matters so much in children’s publishing.

We’ll cover:

• Why AI Feels So Concerning Right Now
• Is It Legal to Use AI When Writing a Book?
• Why I Encourage Authors to Lean Away From AI
• The Risks With Illustrations & AI
• What Does This Mean For You?

Why AI Feels So Concerning Right Now

AI has become a hot topic for everyone, but for children’s book authors, the concerns feel especially personal.

You are not just creating content. You are creating something meant to live in a child’s hands, shape their thinking, and last for years. That naturally leads to bigger questions:

• Who owns my story if AI helped me write it?

• Who owns the illustrations if a machine helped create them?

• Will my book even be approved for printing or distribution?

At the heart of all these questions is one core issue: ownership. Authors want to know, “At the end of this process, is this truly my book?”

Is It Legal to Use AI When Writing a Book? 

The short answer is yes—it can be legal to use AI in certain ways.

AI can be used as a support tool. For example, it may help you:

• Brainstorm ideas

• Outline a story

• Explore early drafts

• Generate prompts when you feel stuck

This is often referred to as AI-assisted writing, and at this stage, it is generally acceptable.

What matters most is that a human author is ultimately responsible for the book. The story must be written, shaped, and finalized by you. The creative decisions, voice, and message need to come from a real person.

That distinction is where things start to matter.

This is one of the most important things I want you to understand:

• AI-assisted means AI supports your thinking, but you write the book.

• AI-generated means AI produces the content, and you simply edit or assemble it.

That difference affects legality, ownership, and publishing approval.

When a book is largely AI-generated, ownership becomes unclear. Many platforms and print-on-demand companies now ask directly whether or not content is AI-generated. Some may reject it. Others may flag accounts without clear explanations.

The more distance there is between you and the creative work, the more risk you introduce. This is why it’s so important to consider how much you’re using AI in your own work.

Why I Encourage Authors to Lean Away From AI

At ML Publishing, we prioritize creative integrity and ownership over speed and convenience.

I encourage authors to learn how to write a children’s book themselves because despite how tempting AI is, growth happens in the doing.

When you write your story yourself:

• You develop your voice

• You strengthen your storytelling instincts

• You understand your audience more deeply

That growth matters. Your second book will come more easily because you did the work on the first one.

When authors lean too heavily on AI, they often miss that growth. They may end up with a book, but not with the confidence or skill that carries them forward.

The Risks With Illustrations & AI

Illustrations introduce another layer of concern around the use of AI.

Many authors today use print-on-demand companies to publish their books. These companies increasingly ask whether illustrations are AI-assisted or AI-generated. Some have rejected books or shut down accounts when AI use was detected or suspected.

The challenge is that these companies are not always clear in their communication. An account may be flagged or closed without a detailed explanation, leaving authors confused and discouraged.

This is why clarity up front matters so much.

I want to share a real-life example that still stands out to me.

One author that worked with our company hired an illustrator. When the illustrations were delivered and sent to our book designer, the designer could immediately tell they were AI-generated.

There were visible errors—one illustration even showed a chair with an extra leg.

The author had to go back to the illustrator, request revisions, and pay extra money to fix problems she never expected. All of this could have been avoided with a clear conversation at the beginning that covered how much AI was utilized in the artist’s work.

Because of situations like this, we now include direct questions about AI usage in illustrator contracts. Transparency protects everyone involved.

What Does This Mean For You?

If I could offer you one guiding principle, it would be this:

Lean into your own creativity.

Use tools wisely, but do the writing yourself. Communicate clearly with your illustrator. Ask questions before signing contracts. Understand the requirements of any print-on-demand platform you plan to use.

Most of all, trust that the process of writing—messy drafts and all—is shaping you into the author you want to become.

That growth is never wasted.

If this topic stirred questions for you, I encourage you to explore more resources on writing and publishing children’s books with confidence and integrity. Learning how the industry works empowers you to make decisions that protect both your story and your future as an author.

I believe deeply that your voice matters. Children need stories written by humans who care, reflect, and grow through the creative process.

Be strong. Write with intention. Protect your work.

You are becoming an author with every page you write.