If you have written a story, or you are still turning one over in your head, the next question is always the same. Who is going to draw it? If you are searching for children's book illustrations in London, you have probably already noticed that the choice can feel bigger than it should. There are hundreds of artists online, all with different styles, prices, and ways of working.
At Purple Giraffe Press, we work with authors, parents, teachers, and small publishers across London to turn stories into finished, printable books. We keep the process simple and the communication honest, so you always know what is happening with your book and when.
We usually reply within one business day.
- what we offer
Every story needs a different look. A gentle bedtime story does not need the same artwork as an adventure story full of monsters and maps. That is why we do not offer one fixed style. Instead, we match the right artist to your story.
Our full artwork service includes a few core parts, and most projects use a mix of these depending on the book. Over the years, we have produced illustration books in London for picture books, early readers, and short chapter books.
This is the biggest part of what we do. A full picture book usually needs somewhere between 12 and 32 illustrated pages, depending on length and age group. We plan out the pages together, agree on the style, and then move page by page from rough sketch to finished art.
Before any full pages are drawn, we usually spend time getting the main characters right. This means drawing them from a few angles, working out how they will look happy, sad, tired, or excited, and making sure they stay consistent from the first page to the last.
The cover is often the first thing anyone sees, whether that is a parent in a shop or a reader scrolling online. We treat cover design as its own task, separate from the inside pages, because it has a different job to do. It needs to grab attention fast.
Not every book needs full-colour pages on every spread. For early readers and chapter books, we often use smaller spot illustrations, black-and-white line drawings, or the odd full-page image to break up the text without slowing down the story.
Every book illustrator we work with in London has their own tools and habits. Some draw digitally from the start. Others sketch by hand and then scan and colour their work on a screen. We do not force one method. What matters is the final result and whether it suits your story.
- your book, your way
Some clients come to us with a full manuscript and a clear idea. Others come with a rough concept and a few scribbled notes. Both are fine either way. Working with a local team means you can meet face to face if you want to, talk on the phone in a normal time zone, and get artwork made by someone who understands British schools, British seasons, and British everyday life. Many of our clients tell us this local understanding is exactly why they wanted a team close to home rather than sending their story off to a stranger overseas.
If you type illustration children's in London into a search bar, you will get a long list of options, and it is easy to feel stuck before you even start. We try to make the first step easy. Send us your text, tell us roughly what you imagine, and we will come back with ideas rather than a blank page and a big invoice.
- age by age
The illustration style should match the age and reading level of your audience. Before creating artwork, we consider how illustrations will support the story, engage young readers, and complement the overall book experience.
For very young children, illustrations need to be simple, bold, and easy to understand. Bright colours, clear shapes and minimal backgrounds help children recognise characters, objects and emotions while supporting early learning.
Picture books allow for more detailed scenes and expressive characters. Since these books are often read aloud, illustrations help build the world of the story, create emotion, and make every page turn more engaging.
At this stage, illustrations support children as they begin reading independently. Artwork is usually lighter, with simple line illustrations or smaller visuals that complement the text without distracting from the story.
Older children’s books rely more on storytelling, characters and imagination. Illustrations are often used for covers, chapter openings or key moments to strengthen the book’s theme and overall identity.
- who we help
Our clients are not all the same, and we do not expect them to be. We have worked with:
Whatever your reason for making a book, the process below stays roughly the same.
- how it works
Making a book is not one big task. It is a series of smaller ones, done in order.
You send over your manuscript, or your idea if it is not written yet. We read it properly, not just skim it, so we can ask sensible questions before any drawing starts.
We talk about style. This might mean looking at other books together, discussing colour and mood, or sketching a few quick character options. This step protects you from paying for a full set of illustrations in a style you do not actually like.
Before any final art, we build rough black-and-white layouts for every page. These show where the text sits, where the characters are, and how the story flows visually from page to page. This is the easiest and cheapest point to make big changes.
Once the layouts are approved, we move to full colour, final artwork. We usually deliver this in batches rather than all at once, so you can flag anything early rather than after every page is finished.
When all the art is approved, we prepare final, print-ready files. This includes the correct resolution, bleed, and colour profile for printing, as well as web-friendly versions if you also want an ebook.
We hand over the finished files along with a short explanation of what each one is for. If you have questions after delivery, whether that is about printing or file formats, we are still here to help.
- our catalog
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Children Book - what to look for
Not all book illustrators in London work the same way, and picking the wrong fit can waste both time and money. Before you commit to anyone, including us, it is worth asking a few honest questions:
A good illustrator, whether that is us or someone else, should be happy to answer all of these without getting defensive.
- why it matters
It is tempting to think illustration is just decoration on top of a story. In practice, it does much more than that:
None of this needs to be expensive or complicated. It just needs to be done properly, with someone paying attention to the details. A rushed illustration job often shows up in small ways: characters that look slightly different from page to page, colours that do not match between the cover and the inside, or spacing that makes the text hard to read. These are the kind of details a careful process is built to catch before the book ever goes to print.
- why choose us
The Purple Giraffe Press TeamChildren’s Publisher Working with a local team means shared context, easier meetings, and no confusion over time zones or cultural references.
We do not push every client towards one house style. We look at your story first and find the right artist for it.
This protects your budget and gives you a real chance to make changes before the expensive stage begins.
You will always know what is included, what costs extra, and who owns the final artwork.
If a printer has a question about your files, or you need a slightly different file format later, you can still reach us.
- author love
- pricing
The cost of illustrating a children’s book depends on several factors, including the number of pages, illustration style, level of detail, character development, and the amount of creative support your project requires.
A simple character illustration project will usually involve a different process compared to a complete picture book with multiple scenes, backgrounds, and consistent artwork across every page. That is why we create personalised quotes based on your story, goals, and the type of book you want to create.
At Purple Giraffe Press, we believe professional illustration should be transparent and tailored to each author’s needs. Before starting any artwork, we discuss your vision, explain what is included, and provide a clear breakdown of the illustration process so you know exactly what to expect.
Whether you are creating your first picture book, developing a series, or preparing a children’s book for publishing, our team can help you understand the best approach for your project and guide you from the first idea to the finished artwork.
- explore more
What your project includes depends on your goals. We offer a full suite of professional services tailored to the specific needs of children’s literature.
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.
- ready when you are
If you have a story sitting on your laptop, or even just in your head, get in touch and tell us about it. There is no pressure and no obligation. We will read what you send, ask a few questions, and give you an honest view on style, timeline, and cost. If you need illustrations for children's books in London, this is a good place to start that conversation.
- good to know
Honest answers to the questions London authors ask us most. If yours is not here, a quick consultation will cover it.
Book a Free Consultation →Cost varies depending on page count and style, but we always give a written quote before work starts, so there are no surprises later.
Most full picture books take between eight and sixteen weeks from the style discussion to final files, depending on page count and how quickly feedback comes back to us.
No. Some clients come with a complete manuscript, others with a rough idea. We can help shape the story alongside the artwork if needed.
This is agreed in writing before any work starts, so you know exactly what rights you have to the final artwork.
Yes, meeting in person is possible for London-based clients, though many projects run perfectly well over email and video calls too.
We also work on early reader books, chapter book interiors, and cover art for older children's fiction, not just picture books.
Rough layouts are built early, so changes at that stage are simple. We would rather adjust direction early than after final artwork is done.
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