You have written a story. Maybe it took you months. Maybe it has been sitting in a drawer for years, waiting for the right moment. Either way, you know it needs pictures before it can become a real book.
This is where a lot of authors get stuck. Good illustration book work is not just about drawing something pretty. It is about matching the tone of your story, the age of your readers, and the feeling you want the book to leave behind.
We usually reply within one business day.
- what it is
At Purple Giraffe Press, illustration is what we do every day. We work with authors, parents, teachers, and small publishers across Australia who want their picture book to look as good as it reads. Whether you have a full manuscript or just an idea, we can help you design your own picture book from the ground up.
- what we do
We offer a full range of illustration services, built around what children’s books actually need. Here is how we break it down.
Before a single page is illustrated, we develop your main characters. We sketch different versions, test expressions, and work with you until the character feels right. We think about how the character moves, how they show emotion, and how they will look from different angles across the book. This step matters because young readers connect with characters they recognise from page to page, so getting the design right early saves time and confusion later.
Once characters are locked in, we move to full illustrations for each page or spread. This includes backgrounds, colour, and layout that match the pacing of your story. We think carefully about where the text will sit on each page, so the words and pictures work together instead of fighting for space.
Your cover is the first thing people see. We design a cover that stands out on a shelf or online, while staying true to the story inside. A strong cover gives a reader a quick sense of the tone of your book, whether that is playful, gentle, or adventurous, before they even open the first page.
If you are working on more than one book, we can help keep the illustration books consistent across the series. Same characters, same style, same feel, book after book. This is especially useful for authors building a brand around one set of characters, since readers come to expect a familiar look.
Every illustration book illustrator project we finish is delivered in the file formats you need, ready for print or for digital publishing platforms. We can prepare files for local Australian printers, print-on-demand services, or ebook platforms, depending on how you plan to publish.
- visual style
Every story has a different feel, so we do not force one single look onto every project. Some of the styles we commonly work in include:
Soft, textured illustrations that feel warm and personal. This style often suits gentle stories, bedtime books, and stories about nature or family.
Clean, bold, colourful artwork made digitally. This style works well for energetic stories, adventure books, and books aimed at slightly older readers.
A combination of hand-drawn textures and digital finishing. This gives a book a unique look that still feels warm and human.
We are happy to talk through which style might suit your story best, based on the tone, the age group, and what you picture in your head when you read your own manuscript. Our illustration children’s book process is built around your story first, so the style always serves the words rather than the other way around.
If you would like to see examples of our children’s books' illustration work before deciding, just ask, and we can share samples that suit your genre.
- who we help
We work with a wide range of people who need children's book illustration done properly, and everyone comes to us at a different stage of their project. This includes:
Wherever you are starting from, we can meet you there and help you work out the next step.
- what to look for
Not every illustrator suits every story. Here is what we think matters when you are choosing help for illustrations for children's books.
- why it matters
In a children’s book, the pictures often carry as much weight as the words, sometimes more. Young readers who cannot read yet are following the story entirely through the illustrations. Older kids look to the pictures to understand emotion, humour, and pacing.
A good book illustration does a few things at once:
Getting this right takes more than artistic skill. It takes an understanding of how children actually read a picture book, page by page, and what keeps them turning to the next one.
- our catalog
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Children Book - how it works
We keep our process simple and easy to follow, from your first message to the final files.
Send through your manuscript, or a rough idea if you do not have a full script yet. Tell us about your characters, the age group, and the feeling you want the book to have.
We look at the length of your book, the number of illustrations needed, and the style you are after. Then we send you a clear quote before any work begins.
We sketch your main characters and share a few style options. This is where we lock in the look of your book before moving further.
Once the style is approved, we illustrate each page or spread. We share drafts along the way so you can give feedback early, not just at the end.
After your final approval, we prepare print-ready and digital files and send everything through, ready for publishing.
- the payoff
- why choose us
A few simple things keep authors coming back to us.
The Purple Giraffe Press TeamAustralian Children’s Publisher This is not a side project for us. It is the only thing we do.
You will always get a clear quote before we start any illustration work.
You are working with a local team that understands the Australian publishing market.
Your book matters to you, so it matters to us too.
No confusing jargon, no long email chains you cannot follow.
- author love
- pricing
The cost of illustrating a picture book depends on a few things. These include the number of pages, how detailed each illustration is, whether you need a cover design, how many characters need to be developed, and how many rounds of feedback you expect to need.
A simple book with a small number of characters and a clean, uncluttered style will usually cost less than a book with detailed backgrounds, a large cast of characters, or lots of small scenes on each page. The format matters too. A short board book for toddlers is a different job from a longer picture book with thirty or more pages.
Because every book is different, we do not use a fixed price list. Instead, we ask you a few questions about your project, including your manuscript length, your preferred style, and your timeline, then send through a clear quote before any work starts. That way, you know exactly what you are paying for, with no surprises later on.
- explore more
We sharpen your pacing and clarity while keeping your unique voice at the centre of the story
Learn more about EditingWe create front, back, and spine layouts that grab a reader’s attention. Unlike many publishing companies for children’s books, we show you enuinely different options rather than just colour swaps
Learn more about Book Cover DesignHonest, affordable promotion that gets your children’s book seen and loved on Amazon, Kindle, and beyond
Learn more about Book PromotionWe take care of the logistics, ISBNs, and platform registrations so you don’t have to learn the technicalities from scratch
Learn more about Book Publishing ManagementIf you have a great idea but need help with the words, we can draft the story with you in a voice that remains authentically yours
Learn more about GhostwritingWe build clean, functional sites that help readers and event organisers find you easily
Learn more about Author Websites- get in touch
Share your idea or manuscript and we will come back within one business day with a friendly, no-pressure plan and a free estimate.
We usually reply within one business day.
- the artwork it deserves
If you are ready to move forward with your book, get in touch with Purple Giraffe Press today. Send us your manuscript or your idea, and we will talk you through what comes next. Your story has waited long enough. Let’s give it the pictures it deserves.
- good to know
Honest answers to the questions authors ask us most. If yours is not here, a quick consultation will cover it.
Book a Free Consultation →No. We are happy to talk with you even if you only have a rough idea or a partial draft. We can work out the illustration plan alongside your writing process.
Yes. Show us examples of styles you like, and we will develop something similar, while still making sure it fits your story and characters.
This depends on your book length and format. A standard picture book usually needs one illustration per spread, but some books also need extra artwork for the cover, the title page, or the back cover. We will confirm exact numbers once we see your manuscript.
Yes. We work across different age groups, from board books for toddlers through to illustrated chapter books for older readers.
That is completely normal and expected. We build feedback rounds into our process so you can request changes before final files are delivered.
Yes, once the project is complete and paid for, you own the rights to the artwork created for your book. We can talk through the specific terms when we send your quote.
Our main focus is illustration, but we understand the self-publishing process and can guide you on how illustrations fit into it, including file formats for print and digital platforms, cover sizing, and how to prepare your files for whichever printer or platform you choose.
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