Different Children’s Illustration Styles: Best for Your Book

Children’s Book Illustration Styles are essential when creating the right atmosphere for your story. Whether you’re designing a storybook illustration style or exploring picture book illustration styles, it’s important to choose the right one to captivate your audience. Every kids book illustration style carries its unique charm and appeal. For instance, some books embrace children book art styles that are vibrant and playful, while others prefer a more subtle approach using children’s illustration styles.

When selecting the right children books illustration styles, consider the mood, tone, and theme of your book. Some children book styles work better with bold, colorful visuals, while others may lean towards more subdued tones. Understanding the variety in these styles will help you match the right visuals with your story.

When researching types of illustrations for children’s books, it’s important to keep this in mind:

Which age group your children’s book is for.
Types and styles of illustration suited for the age group or book style.
How many illustrations you’ll have in your book and which type of illustrations (full page, half page, etc.).

Let’s get right into answering your big question: What are the types of illustrations for children’s books, and which one is right for your book?

All of the above points will help you answer that, and I’ll explain each one in more detail.

What makes a great children’s book illustration? The most successful children’s illustrations of all time differ widely but also have similarities that make them great.

The illustrations for Where the Wild Things Are, Goodnight Moon, Dr. Seuss books, I Wish You More, Tuesday, and I Want My Hat Back are all different but still amazing in their own ways.

Understanding that can help you get great illustrations too. But more on that later.

To plan for your book illustrations, it’s a good idea to start with style.

Ideas for the style of your children’s book illustrations

The first thing is your idea of how the illustrations should look. Cartoony? Bold and bright? A bit scary? Whacky? Beautiful and delicate?

Your illustrations should complement your style of writing and the message of your children’s book. Sweet watercolor illustrations, for instance, can be a great match for a gentle, touching story. But they may not work well for a monster truck book!

Different styles could suit your story, though, so don’t feel limited. And most styles can be adapted to match the quality of your book. For instance, the same style of cartoon can be funny, goofy, cute, or even shocking, depending on a few slight variations.

It’s a great idea to study some of the best children’s book illustrations out there to get an idea of what you’d like for your book. There are many places you can do this, including your local library.

Tip: Study fairly recent books, as the children’s book industry has changed. Books from 30 years ago don’t match what is selling now. Study books published in the last 10-15 years.

Here are two pages where you can see some beautiful examples:

Graphic Mama – Children Book Illustrations Examples
The New York Times – Best Illustrated Children’s Books 2019

Which age group is your book for?

Also, keep in mind the age group that your book is for. And, just in case you don’t have a clear age group in mind, I have to mention it’s crucial. Children grow rapidly in their ability to understand and sense of humor, and what they enjoy changes. A book for a 1-year-old, 4-year-old, and a 10-year-old are all different.

Even though the story, word count, and book types vary from age to age, most illustration styles for children’s books can work for any age group.

Your options are many. The main things to keep in mind are if a kid in your age group will like and understand the drawings. Too abstract won’t work for toddlers. Too baby-ish may put off older kids.

The biggest tip here is: Look at other books for your age group to see what is selling.

What are the types of illustrations for children’s books?

You also need to decide what type of illustrations you want in your book. This will affect the overall look and feel of the book, but also how many illustrations you need. What I’m referring to here is the “size” of the illustrations.

There are four types of illustrations for children’s books:

Spot Illustration
Half-page Illustration
Single (Full) Page Illustration
Spread Illustration

Spot Illustrations

These are small, simple illustrations to liven up a page with text. They’re usually a quarter of a page or less with little or no background. Spot illustrations can be placed as a chapter heading, corner decoration, or next to or within a body of text. They are often black and white or done in a sketchy style.

Half-page Illustrations

As the name says, this is an illustration that fills half a page. While it can be detailed, due to its smaller size, the background will be less detailed than a full-page illustration.

Single (Full) Page Illustrations

This is an illustration that fills one whole page. Here we can pull out all the stops and include lots of detail, since it fills a whole page. You can also have the illustrator leave space for your text if needed.

Spread Illustrations

Spread across two full pages, normally with text on the illustration. While a mix of different illustration sizes makes a beautiful book, going all out and making your whole book double-page spreads will make it amazing!

If you are doing a picture book and budget allows, go for spread illustrations for your whole book. If not, take as many spreads and single-page illustrations as you can.

You can also make your book interesting by mixing up the different types of illustrations throughout. Your illustrator should be able to help you work out a layout that can work well.

How many illustrations should a children’s book have?

Another important point to consider is how many illustrations the book will have. This comes down to page count and which type of book it is. For instance, a picture book has way more illustrations than a middle grade novel.

Work out how many pages the book will be. 24 or 32 pages are common for picture books.

It’s important to understand, though, that in a 32-page book, only about 28-30 pages are for the story. Sometimes even less, as some printers glue the first and last page onto the front and back covers.

Here’s an example of a common book layout to give you a better idea:

14 spreads and two single pages for the story and illustrations.

NOTE: The minimum page count for print with KDP is 24 pages. With many print platforms, the page count will go up in increments of 4. In other words, if your book is 26 pages, they will add two blank pages at the end. Check this before printing.

Look at books for your age range to see how many words tend to go on a page and per picture.

Picture books normally have full-page or spread illustrations on every spread.
Early readers can have somewhat less or smaller illustrations, but mostly they also have illustrations on each spread. These can be spread, full, or half-page illustrations.
First chapter books vary from having illustrations on each page to only one illustration per chapter. They contain everything from spot through single-page illustrations (and sometimes spread illustrations).

What should you not do when illustrating a children’s book?

There are some definite “don’ts” for children’s book illustrations. Knowing these can help you get the best illustrations for your book. Some things come down to taste or opinion, but other things are widely agreed upon. Those are the ones I’ll cover here.

Avoid this when getting illustrations for your children’s book:

Don’t compromise on having the best possible illustrations for your children’s book.
If you’re not an illustrator, don’t illustrate your own books.
Don’t hire an illustrator without a proven track record and great reviews/testimonials. At the very least, chat with them enough to REALLY get a feel of how they are. Make sure they’ll deliver good work, on time.
Don’t work with an illustrator who has no experience with children’s books. You get some wonderful illustrators, but if they have no book illustration experience, they won’t know the requirements. This can lead to wrong file sizes, format, and many other problems! So only work with them if you know all the exact requirements for your ebook and print and you’re willing to guide them closely.
Don’t use the same angle, distance (close-up, medium, or wide view), poses, etc., in all your illustrations. Make sure they are varied.
Make sure the illustrations match the text. Avoid putting descriptions in the text (e.g., “red bike”, “blue shirt”, “black hair”) because the illustrations will show these things.
Don’t try to show too much in the illustrations. They should add to the story, but if the illustrations need to show too much, it will become confusing, messy, or be lost on the reader or child.
Don’t be too conceptual or abstract… especially for younger children.

Don’t micromanage your illustrator. They are a pro (or should be!) and can greatly enhance your book… if you let them! Don’t tell them in detail what to draw (unless a certain setting, action, or specific objects, colors, races, etc. are essential to the story or text).

What is an art note? It’s a very brief note saying what needs to be illustrated.

Children’s Book Illustration Styles

Style is quite a broad term. It can refer to cartoon-style or realistic, whimsical, stylized, watercolor, charcoal, etc. Or it can relate to an individual artist’s drawing or painting style, or “hand.” Of course, choose an illustrator with an individual style that appeals to you.

I won’t discuss individual’s styles here (since they’re as varied as there are illustrators in the world!), but I’ll just go over general styles you could choose for your book illustrations.

Before we get into all the different styles, please also note that there are two major divisions in illustrations: traditional vs. digital.

Traditional illustrations, in brief, are paint, pencil, charcoal, pen, any medium–on paper.
Digital illustrations are made on the computer.

Illustrators can combine these two, and they often do. Digital illustrations have become more and more common for children’s book illustrations.

One isn’t better than the other. Both have advantages and disadvantages, but in the end, it comes down to a matter of taste (and budget—traditional art is often more expensive). It’s also good to note that digital has developed to a point where it can closely imitate all forms of traditional art.

Let’s go through the major styles of children’s book illustrations.

For more information on children’s book illustration styles and tips, visit Craft 2 Publish.

When crafting a children’s book, one of the most important elements that bring a story to life is the illustration style. Whether you’re writing a simple picture book for toddlers or an intricate chapter book for older readers, children’s illustration styles can significantly influence how your story resonates with the audience.

Choosing the right illustration style for your children’s book is a creative decision that involves understanding your target age group, the tone of your story, and the emotions you want to evoke. This guide will explore the various children’s illustration styles available today, from the traditional to the modern, and give you insight into how these styles can work within your book’s context.

What Are Children’s Illustration Styles?

Children’s book illustrations are often not just decorative images accompanying the text, but an integral part of the storytelling. They help set the tone, enhance the plot, and make the book visually appealing for young readers. Children’s illustration styles refer to the visual language used to convey a story, and this can vary greatly depending on the artist’s technique, the medium used, and the book’s intended audience.

Why Illustration Styles Matter in Children’s Books

The right children’s book illustration styles can create a lasting impact, which is why it’s crucial to understand how different styles function. Here’s why illustrations matter:

Engagement: Illustrations attract children, especially those who are too young to read independently. The right visuals will draw in the reader and enhance their engagement with the narrative.
Tone Setting: Whether you are writing a humorous story, a serious tale, or a fantastical adventure, the illustration style you choose should match the mood of the narrative. Illustrations are the first thing children notice, and they help set the tone for the rest of the story.
Character and Plot Development: Visuals play an essential role in showing emotions, actions, and settings. They give children a visual cue to better understand characters and events, making the book more immersive.

Popular Children’s Illustration Styles

Let’s dive into some of the most widely used children’s illustration styles in children’s literature today. Each style carries its own unique appeal and atmosphere.

1. Cartoon Style Illustrations

A cartoon illustration style is one of the most common styles in children’s books. It’s characterized by exaggerated, often whimsical features, bright colors, and humorous expressions. The characters in these illustrations are often anthropomorphic animals, mythical creatures, or exaggerated human figures.

This style works well for younger children, as the simple forms, bright colors, and playful nature capture their attention. Cartoon illustrations are often used in early childhood books, as they can easily convey emotions and actions without overwhelming the young reader.

Example: Classic books like The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss or Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney use cartoon-style illustrations to support their humorous and engaging narratives.

2. Realistic Style Illustrations

For books that deal with real-world settings or more serious topics, realistic illustrations are often the best choice. These illustrations are closer to actual depictions of people, animals, and environments. Realism in children’s book illustrations is often used in books that aim to teach or inform, such as non-fiction books, or for stories that aim for a more heartfelt or serious tone.

Realistic illustrations are often detailed and filled with texture, which helps bring stories to life, especially for older children. These images create a sense of familiarity and seriousness, making them suitable for books that need to balance the visual imagination with real-world elements.

Example: Kadir Nelson’s illustrations in The Undefeated beautifully combine realism with an emotionally resonant style to convey the history of African Americans.

3. Whimsical Style Illustrations

Whimsical illustrations combine elements of fantasy and playfulness. These images often depict dreamlike worlds with characters and settings that are anything but ordinary. The whimsical style is filled with imagination, taking inspiration from magical creatures, fantastical landscapes, and otherworldly beings.

This style is highly engaging for younger children, as it sparks their imagination and sense of wonder. Whimsical illustrations are often seen in stories involving adventure, fantasy, and exploration, providing a perfect canvas for the story’s most fantastical elements.

Example: Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak features whimsical illustrations that have become iconic, inviting readers into a dreamlike world of wild creatures and magical lands.

4. Watercolor Illustrations

Watercolor illustrations are soft and gentle, using delicate layers of transparent color to create a light and airy feeling. The watercolor technique is commonly used in children’s picture books due to its ability to evoke emotions like calmness, wonder, and nostalgia.

Watercolor is often paired with gentle, whimsical, or nature-themed stories, offering a relaxed and warm visual aesthetic. It is perfect for stories that require a serene tone, allowing young readers to fully immerse themselves in the book without distraction.

Example: The Snowy Day by Ezra Jack Keats uses watercolor illustrations to create a quiet, peaceful winter landscape that enhances the story’s reflective mood.

5. Collage and Mixed Media Illustrations

Collage illustrations incorporate various materials such as cut-out paper, fabric, and textures, often creating an eclectic and rich visual style. Mixed media, on the other hand, uses more than one artistic technique, combining things like watercolor, pencil, digital art, and even photography.

Both of these styles are ideal for creative, imaginative stories that benefit from a multi-dimensional visual experience. They are especially effective when you want the illustrations to have a layered, textured feel, adding richness to the story’s atmosphere.

Example: Eric Carle’s The Very Hungry Caterpillar uses collage techniques to create its iconic illustrations, adding texture and depth to the simple yet impactful story.

6. Sketchy Style Illustrations

Sketchy illustrations have an unfinished, raw feel to them. This style often uses rough pencil strokes or quick pen marks that leave parts of the drawing open to interpretation. Sketchy illustrations can convey motion, excitement, or even a sense of spontaneity, making them ideal for books that focus on adventure or exploration.

This style is perfect for stories with a slightly quirky or unpredictable tone. The lack of polished lines can make the illustrations feel more organic, drawing the reader into a world that’s vibrant yet unrefined.

Example: The illustrations in Matilda by Roald Dahl, drawn by Quentin Blake, use a sketchy style that brings both energy and humor to the book.

7. Stylized Art Illustrations

Stylized illustrations are unique in that they take liberties with the natural world to create simplified, exaggerated, or abstract representations. These illustrations often use flat colors, bold shapes, and simplified forms that give the images a distinct, artistic flair.

Stylized art is great for books with modern themes or contemporary stories. It allows for artistic freedom and can be used to enhance the storytelling with its visual representation of themes or emotions that are not easily conveyed through traditional methods.

Example: Jon Klassen’s illustrations in I Want My Hat Back are stylized, offering minimalistic yet expressive illustrations that leave a lasting impact on the reader.

How to Choose the Right Children’s Illustration Style

Choosing the right children illustration style for your book depends on several factors. Here are some questions to ask yourself as you consider the best style for your project:

What age group is my book for?
The younger the reader, the more engaging and visually appealing the illustrations should be. For early readers, cartoons or whimsical styles might be most appropriate, while older children might enjoy more realistic or stylized illustrations.
What is the tone of my book?
If your story is light and fun, go for bright, cartoon-like illustrations. If it’s more serious or historical, realistic or vintage styles might work better.
What emotions do I want to evoke?
If you want to create a magical, dreamy atmosphere, whimsical or watercolor styles could be your best bet. If you want to evoke a sense of energy or humor, a cartoon style might be the way to go.
What is the book’s setting and plot?
The setting of your story can influence the best book illustration styles. For example, if your book is set in a fantastical world, a whimsical or stylized style may be best, whereas historical books might require more realistic or vintage illustrations.

Conclusion: The Power of Children’s Illustration Styles

Choosing the right children’s illustration style is critical to your book’s success. The illustrations not only serve as a visual accompaniment to your words but also enhance the narrative, establish the mood, and captivate your readers. Understanding different children’s illustration styles and how they complement various themes, age groups, and storylines will help you create a book that resonates with young readers and stands the test of time.

Whether you’re leaning toward cartoonish, whimsical, or realistic illustrations, the most important thing is to choose a style that aligns with your story’s spirit and tone. Take your time exploring the styles and find the one that best brings your book to life.

For more information and inspiration on children’s illustration styles, visit Craft 2 Publish.

Different Children’s Illustration Styles: Best for Your Book