I’m an independent author creating a 7” x 7” board book titled Hockey Night in Columbus. This is a cozy, rhyming children’s book for ages 0–4 about a little bug who attends a hockey game in Columbus, Ohio.
I’m looking for an illustrator who specializes in children’s books and can create warm, expressive, toddler-friendly artwork.
Project Details:
7” x 7” board book format
16 interior pages (8 full spreads)
Front and back cover illustration
Soft, rounded shapes
Clean, simple backgrounds (not overly detailed)
Expressive character emotions
Limited color palette (navy, light blue, cream, soft gray)
Print-ready files (300 DPI, CMYK)
Main Character:
“Buzz” – an original, friendly little bug who loves hockey.
Important: This is NOT a team mascot and should not resemble any existing sports mascots. The character must be fully original.
Tone & Style References:
Goodnight Moon
Little Blue Truck
Llama Llama
(Coziest possible vibe, not cartoon-chaotic)
Deliverables:
Initial character concept sketches
Rough layout sketches for each spread
Final full-color illustrations
Print-ready files
Commercial rights transfer
Timeline:
6–8 weeks preferred
Please include in your proposal:
Portfolio links (especially children’s books)
Similar past projects
Estimated cost
Timeline
Confirmation that you can transfer commercial rights