How much does a children's book illustrator cost?

Professional children's book illustrators typically charge $2,500-$12,000 for a complete picture book, depending on experience level, illustration complexity, and page count. Budget options like Fiverr range from $1,000-$2,500, while award-winning illustrators charge $12,000-$25,000 or more. My professional package is $3,200 for a 32-page picture book with full rights transfer, source files, and 3 revision rounds included.

How long does picture book illustration take?

A standard 32-page picture book typically requires 4-6 weeks from contract signing to final file delivery. This includes initial character design and sketches (1-2 weeks), sketch review and revisions (1 week), final illustration production (2-3 weeks), and final revisions (1 week). Rush timelines are possible with a 20-30% premium fee, but quality work requires adequate time.

Do I own the rights to my book illustrations?

Rights ownership depends on your contract. Work-for-hire agreements transfer complete ownership to you, allowing unlimited use for any purpose including merchandise, apps, sequels, and marketing. Limited licensing agreements restrict usage to specific purposes, with the illustrator retaining copyright. My packages include work-for-hire rights transfer for complete ownership and flexibility.

What files should I receive from my illustrator?

Professional deliverables should include print-ready files (high-resolution TIFF or PDF at 300 DPI in CMYK color mode), individual spread files properly formatted with bleed areas, layered source files (PSD or AI files for future edits), and optionally RGB web versions optimized for social media and marketing. All these file types are included in my professional package.

Can I hire different illustrators for different books in a series?

While possible, hiring the same illustrator for a series ensures visual consistency that readers expect. If you must change illustrators, provide detailed character sheets and style guides to help the new artist match the established look. Consider this when negotiating rights and file delivery in your initial contract. I provide comprehensive character sheets and style documentation for series continuity.

What's the difference between work-for-hire and licensing?

Work-for-hire means you own all rights to the illustrations after payment. You can use them for anything: print books, ebooks, merchandise, apps, marketing materials, sequels, etc. Licensing means you pay for specific usage rights while the illustrator retains copyright. Work-for-hire typically costs $200-$500 more than licensing arrangements but provides complete flexibility for all current and future uses.

Should I use Fiverr or hire a professional illustrator?

Fiverr can work for very tight budgets, but comes with significant risks: inconsistent quality between portfolio samples and deliverables, limited revision rights, unclear copyright ownership, and difficulty getting source files. Professional illustrators cost more ($2,500-$5,000 vs $1,000-$2,500) but provide consistent quality, comprehensive contracts, multiple revision rounds, and full rights transfer. For a book you want to sell commercially, professional quality is worth the investment.

What illustration style is best for children's books?

Research shows young readers (ages 3-8) respond best to clear, character-driven digital illustration like Modern Disney-Style. Abstract watercolor and minimalist styles often confuse younger readers who need visual clarity. Realistic rendering can feel too serious for lighthearted stories. Choose a style based on your story's tone, target age group, and what helps children understand the narrative visually.

The Free A.I. Santa Activity Pack

A Christmas craft, puzzles, and coloring pages to make, play, and wonder together. Print them again and again, in color or black-and-white.

What's inside

Make Marina's Ornament

Salt-dough craft with extra shapes

Santa's Maze

Deliver the letters to Santa Claus village

Find the 7 Differences

Send a Letter to Santa

Fill the letter and print it

Count the Letters Santa got

Coloring pages straight from the book

Why parents love it

Created by a teacher and children’s author, every page ties to the story of A.I. Santa, so the fun does a little teaching too: patterns, counting, fine-motor skills, and gentle first conversations about how A.I. really works. No preparation needed, usable the moment you print.

Salt dough Christmas ornaments kids can make (from the story of A.I. Santa)

Most salt-dough ornament guides are just a recipe. This one comes from a children’s book: children make Marina’s ornament, the handmade keepsake from the story, and get to write their own name across the front. A simple two-day craft with things already in your kitchen, plus more shapes and a reusable template in the free pack.

How to make salt dough ornaments

You need half a cup of salt, one and a half cups of flour, half a cup of warm water, and a pinch of cinnamon, and a straw. Mix the salt and flour, add the water, and knead until smooth. Roll it flat, cut out circles, and poke a hole near the top with a straw for the ribbon. A grown-up bakes them at 150°C for about an hour until hard. Once cool, paint each one and write your name across the front, just like Marina, then thread a ribbon through and hang it up.

Want the full version? The free pack has the complete step-by-step with more shapes, a reusable template, timing tips, and an air-dry option with no oven. Enter your email above and we will send it straight over.

From the book A.I. Santa

by Elizabeth Tsongidou, illustrated by Aris Karavias

A warm, funny Christmas story about what really matters, with activity pages that invite children to explore A.I. (Artificial Intelligence) and technology. For ages 6–9.

Meet the author, Elizabeth Tsongidou

Questions

Is it really free?

Yes. Enter a grown-up’s email and we send the pack straight away.

What ages is it for?

Best for 6 to 9, though younger children enjoy the coloring pages with help.

Do I need special paper or ink?

No. Every page prints on ordinary paper, and there is a black-and-white version to save ink.

Can I print it more than once?

Yes, print it as often as you like.

This activity pack is offered by ReadnLearn in connection with A.I. Santa. Your email will be added to ReadnLearn’s mailing list, which may include updates about this book and about ReadnLearn’s other books. The sign-up is for grown-ups; we never collect a child’s email.