Kindness Kids Book Illustrations *ABSOLUTELY NO AI GENERATED ART*

I’m putting together a 32-page picture book manuscript, plus a cover, for children aged 3-6. The story celebrates simple acts of kindness through the eyes of child protagonists.

To bring the story to life, I’m looking for hand-drawn illustrations in a whimsical, hand-sketched style, finished with either watercolor washes or colored-pencil textures - whichever medium best preserves a soft, story-time charm when scanned for print. The artwork should feel traditional rather than digital or overly cartoonish.

The finished book will have an 8.5 x 8.5-inch trim size and contain 32 interior pages, arranged as 16 double-page spreads, plus a wrap-around cover. Each spread will feature a full-bleed scene showing children interacting with one another and their surroundings while performing acts of kindness or doing something thoughtful.

All artwork must include a 1-inch bleed on every outer edge. Based on the specified trim size:

Each single interior page should measure 10.5 x 10.5 inches, including bleed.
Each double-page spread should measure 19 x 10.5 inches, including bleed.
The wrap-around cover should include the back cover, spine, and front cover, with a 1-inch bleed around the outer perimeter. Its final dimensions will depend on the printer-provided spine width.
Expressive faces and soft, playful colors are essential. I want young readers to feel warmth and joy from the moment they open the book. I’m also open to featuring animal characters instead of children if that approach suits the story and artistic style.

Deliverables
Rough character concepts and sketches for approval
Thumbnail or rough layouts for all 16 interior spreads and the cover
Full-color final artwork for 16 double-page, full-bleed interior spreads
One full-color wrap-around cover, including front cover, spine, and back cover
Artwork formatted for an 8.5 x 8.5-inch final trim size
A 1-inch bleed on all outer edges
Print-ready files in CMYK at 300 dpi, supplied as layered TIFF or PSD files
Appropriate safe areas for text and important visual elements, based on the printer’s specifications
Title and other cover text placed on separate, editable layers
Copyright assignment and permission to use the artwork across print, e-book, advertising, social media, and other promotional channels
Source files and flattened, print-ready files upon completion
Once the roughs are approved, we can move through the color artwork in two or three milestones so feedback remains quick and focused. Please include your estimated timeline, pricing, revision policy, and examples of relevant children’s-book work in your proposal.

If you enjoy illustrating children in imaginative, slightly quirky settings and can capture the gentle spirit of kindness, I’d be happy to share the full manuscript and discuss the project timeline.

I would like the main character to remain as close as possible to this sample but I am open to minor changes. The rest of the characters and backgrounds are open to the illustrator's own choices.