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Children's Book Illustration Service in Dublin for Authors Who Want Their Story Seen

Every good children's book needs two things. A story worth telling, and pictures that make a child want to turn the page. At Purple Giraffe Press, we look after the second part.

Maybe you have written a bedtime story for your own kids and want to turn it into something real. Maybe you run a small business in Dublin and need artwork for a book you plan to sell or give away. Maybe you are a teacher, a grandparent, or a first-time author with a story sitting in a notebook. Whatever the reason, you need someone who can draw it properly and understand what makes young readers actually enjoy a book.

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- what it is

We are a small team based here in Dublin

That is where we come in. We are a small team based here in Dublin, and we work with parents, authors, schools, and small publishers who want proper illustration for their book. We are not a big faceless agency. You will deal with real people who read your story, ask questions about your characters, and draw pictures that match what you had in your head.

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Children's book illustration service in Dublin at Purple Giraffe Press

- what we offer

Explore Our Complete Children’s Book Illustration Services in Dublin

Not every book needs the same kind of artwork, and no two illustration books in Dublin turn out exactly the same way. A board book for toddlers is a different job from a chapter book for eight-year-olds. Here is how we break the work down.

Full Picture Book Illustration

This is our main service. You send us a manuscript, and we illustrate every page from cover to cover. We work out how the pictures and words sit together, plan each spread, and draw characters that stay consistent from the first page to the last.

Before we draw a single final page, we plan out the whole book on a rough storyboard. This is basically a simple sketch of every page, showing where the text sits and what is happening in each picture. It sounds like an extra step, but it saves a huge amount of back and forth later, because you can spot problems with pacing or layout while everything is still easy to change.

Character Design

Before any full pages get drawn, we sketch out your main characters. This gives you a chance to see the character, ask for changes, and approve the look before we commit to the full book. Getting this right early saves time and money later.

We usually offer a few different directions for your main character at this stage, rather than just one option. Maybe your hero looks a bit older in one version, or the colours feel warmer in another. Seeing a couple of choices side by side makes it much easier to say what feels right, even if you cannot quite explain why in words.

Cover Art

The cover is what sells the book, whether it is sitting on a shelf in a shop or showing up as a thumbnail online. We design covers that work at a glance, not just up close.

Digital and Colouring Book Illustration

Not every project is a printed book. We also illustrate for apps, ebooks, and simple colouring books, using the same care we put into printed work.

Single Illustrations

Sometimes you just need one or two pictures, maybe for a school project, a family keepsake, or a small print run. We are happy to take on smaller jobs too.

If you are looking for a book illustrator in Dublin who can handle a project, big or small, this is the range of work we take on.

- every age group

Creating Illustrations For Every Children’s Age Group

The right illustration style depends on the age of your readers. Younger children respond to simple, expressive artwork, while older readers need more detailed visuals that support deeper storytelling. We help create illustrations that match your book’s audience and reading level.

Baby And Toddler Books (Ages 0–3)

Illustrations for younger children focus on bold colours, simple shapes, friendly characters, and clear visuals that encourage early learning and recognition.

Picture Books (Ages 3–7)

Picture books need expressive characters, engaging scenes, and artwork that works together with the text to create an enjoyable reading experience.

Early Readers And Chapter Books (Ages 5–10)

Illustrations support the story by adding personality, helping children follow characters, and making independent reading more engaging.

Middle Grade Books (Ages 8–12)

Older children's books often require more detailed artwork, stronger character designs, and visuals that match adventure, fantasy, or emotional themes.

Choosing the right illustration approach helps us create artwork that connects with young readers and brings your story to life in the most suitable way.

The Dublin authors, parents, schools, and publishers our children's book illustrators work with

- who we help

Who Our Dublin Children’s Book Illustrators Work With

We take on projects from all sorts of people, including:

  • First-time authors writing their first children's story
  • Parents who want a one-off keepsake book made just for their family
  • Small Irish publishers who need reliable illustration on a schedule
  • Schools and teachers are producing books for classroom use
  • Businesses that want a branded storybook for kids
  • Anyone who wants to make their own children's book in Dublin, even without any drawing skills themselves

You do not need to be a professional writer or have any experience with publishing. Most of the people who come to us have never worked with an illustrator before, and that is completely fine. We will walk you through it.

- what to look for

How to Choose the Right Dublin Children’s Book Illustrator

Hiring someone to draw your book is a big decision. There are several book illustrators in Dublin, and it is worth being careful about who you choose to work with. Here are some honest questions worth asking any illustrator before you commit:

  • Can I see a full sample of their previous work, not just isolated images?
  • Will the same person draw the whole book, so the style stays consistent?
  • Is pricing clear from the start, or does it change halfway through?
  • How many rounds of changes are included before extra charges apply?
  • Who owns the artwork once the book is finished?
  • What happens if you are not happy with the first drafts?

A good illustrator will answer all of these without hesitation. If someone is vague about pricing or ownership, that is worth noticing early rather than after you have paid a deposit.

Choosing the right children's book illustrator in Dublin

- why it matters

Why Professional Illustration Makes Children’s Books More Engaging

It is easy to think of pictures as decoration, something added after the real work of writing is done. In children's books, that is not really true. The pictures carry half the story, sometimes more.

  • Young children read pictures before they read words, so the artwork needs to actually tell the story on its own.
  • Consistent character design helps a child recognise and connect with a character across the whole book.
  • Good pacing between pictures and text keeps a child turning pages instead of losing interest.
  • A strong cover is often the only chance a book gets to catch someone's eye, whether online or on a shelf.
  • Poor or rushed artwork can undo a genuinely good story, no matter how well it is written.

Good children's book illustration in Dublin should feel like part of the story, not something bolted on afterwards. This is why we treat illustration as a proper craft, not an afterthought.

- our catalog

Stories we have brought to life

Tilly's Rainbow Adventure by Jessica Schoettle Children Book

Tilly's Rainbow Adventure

by Jessica Schoettle

Whatever You Do, Don't Fall Asleep! by Ashlee Ridlon Children Book

Whatever You Do, Don't Fall Asleep!

by Ashlee Ridlon

100,000 Whys - The Big Journey for Curious Kids by Rayan Yale Children Book

100,000 Whys - The Big Journey for Curious Kids

by Rayan Yale

Sticks and Stones May Break My... by V Moua Children Book

Sticks and Stones May Break My...

by V Moua

I Am Not a Dinosaur! by V Moua Children Book

I Am Not a Dinosaur!

by V Moua

Don't Worry, Cookie. We'll Save You! by V Moua Children Book

Don't Worry, Cookie. We'll Save You!

by V Moua

The Ultimate Road Trip Activity Book For Kids 8-12 by Sophie Harbor Children Book

The Ultimate Road Trip Activity Book For Kids 8-12

by Sophie Harbor

The Ultimate Campfire Book for Kids by Bobby B. Loo Children Book

The Ultimate Campfire Book for Kids

by Bobby B. Loo

The Epic Science Challenge For Super Smart Kids by Charlie Maple Children Book

The Epic Science Challenge For Super Smart Kids

by Charlie Maple

The Mehrabian Rule for Kids by Jeffrey Kyle Children Book

The Mehrabian Rule for Kids

by Jeffrey Kyle

The Great Neurotrainer Workbook for Smart Kids by Gabriel Nedelcu Children Book

The Great Neurotrainer Workbook for Smart Kids

by Gabriel Nedelcu

The Worst Vacation Book in the Whole Entire World by Joey Acker Children Book

The Worst Vacation Book in the Whole Entire World

by Joey Acker

- how it works

How We Illustrate Your Children’s Book Step by Step

We keep the process simple and easy to follow, from your first email to the finished book.

1

Get in Touch

Send us your manuscript, or even just an idea if you have not written the full story yet. Tell us roughly what age group the book is for and any thoughts you already have about the style.

2

A Quick Chat

We will arrange a call or a video chat to talk through your story, your characters, and what you are hoping the finished book will look like. This is also where we answer any questions you have about timelines or cost.

3

Character Sketches

We draw rough versions of your main characters first. You get to see these before anything else moves forward, and we make changes here rather than later on.

4

Sample Spread

Once characters are approved, we illustrate one full spread of the book. This shows you exactly how the finished pages will look and feel.

5

Full Illustration

With the sample approved, we illustrate the rest of the book. We send updates along the way rather than disappearing until the very end.

6

Review and Final Files

You review the complete set of illustrations, we make any final adjustments, and then we send over print-ready files or digital files, depending on what you need.

- why choose us

Why Children’s Book Authors Choose Purple Giraffe Press for Illustration in Dublin

Small Purple Giraffe Press mascot The Purple Giraffe Press TeamChildren’s Book Illustrators in Dublin
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✓

Local and easy to reach

Being based in Dublin means you can meet us in person if you would rather talk things through face to face than over email.

✓

One illustrator, start to finish

The same person draws your whole book, so the style and characters stay consistent from page one to the last page.

✓

Clear pricing from the start

You will know the cost before any work begins, with no surprise charges added later.

✓

Room for changes

We build a reasonable number of revisions into every project because getting a character right sometimes takes a few tries.

✓

We listen to the story you actually wrote

We do not push our own style onto your book. Our job is to draw the story you have in mind, not the one we might prefer.

✓

Comfortable with first-time authors

Most of our clients have never published a book before. We explain things plainly and never assume you already know the process.

- author love

Authors who said yes, and never looked back

★★★★★
“Writing the book wasn't the difficult part. The real frustration came afterward, when I tried formatting it myself. Every adjustment seemed to create another problem somewhere else in the document. After reaching a breaking point I contacted Purple Giraffe Press for their book writing and formatting service. The finished manuscript looked clean and consistent from beginning to end, with page layout, chapter headings, and spacing all feeling professional.”
Jamie Brook
★★★★☆
“The day my book was released, I expected at least a few weeks of excitement and visibility. Instead, after friends and family purchased copies, things became surprisingly quiet. I quickly realized that publishing a book and getting people to notice it were two completely different challenges.”
M Baint
★★★★☆
“I had tried promoting my book on my own with very little success. Purple Giraffe Press stepped in with a clear plan and helped improve my online visibility. I appreciated their practical advice and consistent communication throughout the campaign.”
Porter Zoe
★★★★★
“Great so far!”
Lisa
★★★★★
“I'm extremely sensitive to audio quality, so I noticed every little issue in the sample recording. A few sections needed adjustments, but the production team handled the revisions without any pushback. The final version sounded clean and professional!”
Tracy
★★★★★
“Purple Giraffe Press is amazing. Their attention to detail and dedication to bringing my story to life was outstanding. I couldn't have asked for a better experience. Special thanks to Julia K for her invaluable help, and Mirsa for the breathtaking illustrations.”
Daniel Lunceford
See our reviews onTrustpilot
A clear, itemised quote for children's book illustration in Dublin

- pricing

What Determines Children’s Book Illustration Costs in Dublin

Pricing depends on the length of the book, the level of detail in the artwork, and how many rounds of revisions you need. A sixteen-page board book with simple artwork costs a lot less than a full-length picture book with detailed, painterly illustrations throughout.

We do not publish a single flat rate because it would not be honest to pretend every project is the same size. Instead, send us your manuscript or your idea, and we will give you a proper quote based on the actual work involved. There is no charge for this and no obligation to go ahead once you have it.

A few things tend to affect the final price the most. The number of pages is the obvious one, but the amount of detail per page matters just as much. A busy scene with a full background, several characters, and lots of small elements takes longer than a simple picture with one character against a plain background. Colour work also takes more time than black and white line art. When you send us your manuscript, we will talk through these choices with you so you know exactly what you are paying for and why, rather than just receiving a number with no explanation behind it.

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- explore more services

More Children's Book Services in Dublin

Whatever stage your book is at, our Dublin team can help. Explore the other services we offer children's authors near you.

- get in touch

Tell us about your book.

Share your idea or manuscript and we will come back within one business day with a friendly, no-pressure plan and a free estimate.

Send us a message

We usually reply within one business day.

Your details stay private, no spam, ever.

- ready when you are

Ready to See Your Story Illustrated Properly?

If you have a story that deserves proper artwork, get in touch with us today. Send over your manuscript, or just tell us what you have in mind, and we will talk you through how it could look. No pressure, no jargon, just a straight conversation about your book.

Get a Free Estimate →
Purple Giraffe Press mascot ready to illustrate your children's book in Dublin

- good to know

Frequently asked questions.

Honest answers to the questions Dublin authors ask us most. If yours is not here, a quick consultation will cover it.

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01 Do you only work with authors based in Dublin?

No. Most of our clients are in Dublin, but we also work with authors across Ireland and further afield, including clients in London. Everything is handled over email and video call, so location is rarely an issue.

02 How long does a full picture book take to illustrate?

It depends on the length of the book and how detailed the artwork is, but most full picture books take a few months from character sketches to final files. We will give you a realistic timeline once we have seen your manuscript.

03 Can you match a style I have seen in another book?

We can take inspiration from a style you like, but we will not directly copy another illustrator's work. We use it as a starting point and then develop something that suits your story.

04 Do you offer illustration services for children's very short stories, not just full books?

Yes. Not every project is a full-length book. We take on shorter jobs too, including single illustrations, short stories, and smaller projects for schools or family use.

05 Is it more expensive to work with a Dublin-based illustrator compared to someone in London?

Not necessarily. Pricing depends on the scope of the project rather than the location. Some clients in London choose to work with us because they prefer dealing with a small, local team over a larger agency.

06 What if I am not happy with the illustrations for children's books in Dublin that you have sent me?

We build revision rounds into every project for exactly this reason. If something is not right, tell us, and we will adjust it. Big changes to direction after final approval may involve an extra cost, which we will always discuss before doing any extra work.

07 Do I need to have finished writing my book before contacting you?

Not at all. Plenty of clients come to us with an idea rather than a finished manuscript. We are happy to talk things through at whatever stage your story is at.

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