It's #kidlitartpostcard day! How are we already at the beginning of April?!?! Make sure to scroll down to read this month's 'Jessie Trivia'! I'm Jessie, an author and illustrator of children's picture books seeking representation. I focus on filling my work with whimsy and joy. All my illustrations are hand drawn, inked, and painted with watercolor. Some fun little trivia items about me... My earliest experience with the picture book world was Lorna Balian. She was a local children's book author and illustrator in Hartford, WI (which is where I lived when I was a little girl). Mrs. Balian never became world or nationally renowned but her books were extremely cute (all holiday themed) and hold a special place in my heart. If you go and order them these days, they are print on demand and the digital illustrations don't have the magic of her original artwork. But if you find them in a used bookstore, it is a treasure! I recommend Mother's Mother's Day and Humbug Witch. In high school, I started liking zebras and picking up a few zebra Knick Knacks here and there. Friends and family noticed and by my 20's I had WAY too much zebra stuff from everyone constantly giving me things. Now, many years later, I have a couple treasured items and have donated the rest. #kidlit #picturebookauthor #picturebookartist #picturebookillustrator #kidlitartpostcardday

It's #kidlitartpostcard day!! I'm Jessie, a kidlit author/illustrator seeking representation. I focus on filling my work with whimsy and joy. Illustrations are hand inked w/ watercolor. Fun trivia about me in the alt text! #kidlit #picturebookauthor #picturebookartist #kidlitartpostcardday

Cyclops Polyphemus is whipping up a batch of satyr-filled cupcakes with his favorite wooly sheep... just in case 'Nobody' pops by again for a visit. 😂 What do you do when there are two really great challenges going on in March that you haven't had time to participate in but want to do at least one of the prompts before the end of the month? And what if they are REALLY not challenges most people would ever combine or mash up? You do a mash up anyway!! 🤣 Make sure to swipe to see the original vintage book cover that this is inspired by! #artistryinkchallengemarch2026 prompt Cyclops Polyphemus hosted by @artistryink_challenge and @silvana_blackink_art #vintagebookweek26 prompt Fun To Cook Book cover hosted by: @geeksarecool @le_facciotte @elizabeth.leyk.illustration @sarafandrey_illustrations @valeriaillustrates @moniquedong @artoflaurieb #inkandwatercolor #handdrawn #picturebookauthor #picturebookartist #kidlit #worldwatercolorgroup #artistryinkchallengecyclopspolyphemus #vintagebookweek

Cyclops Polyphemus is whipping up a batch of satyr-filled cupcakes with his favorite wooly sheep... just in case 'Nobody' pops by again for a visit. 😂 Had some creative fun with #vintagebookweek26

#inkandwatercolor #handdrawn #picturebookauthor #picturebookartist #kidlit

#queerauthor #picturebookauthor #kidlit
#diversekidlit #queerbooks

Oh no! Fisher Frog's webbed hand is caught in the bowling ball! 😮😂 Down the lane he goes! If his body knocks over the pins, can it still count as a strike? @kidlitart_drawing_challenge prompt Little Tumbles @studiolumitex prompts Frog, A Random Object, and Fav Color for #LumiMarchBingo2026 #inkandwatercolor #handdrawn #picturebookauthor #picturebookartist #kidlit #worldwatercolorgroup

Oh no! Fisher Frog's webbed hand is caught in the bowling ball! 😮😂 Down the lane he goes! If his body knocks over the pins, can it still count as a strike?

#inkandwatercolor #handdrawn #picturebookauthor #picturebookartist #kidlit #worldwatercolorgroup

😱 They saw the secret garden! 🌿

Three curious grandmas just stumbled upon a world of magic hidden right behind the hedge!

📩 DM for Custom Children’s Book illustrations!

#StorybookMagic #ChildrensIllustrator #GrandmaLife #WhimsicalArt #PictureBookAuthor #BookArt #KidsLitArt #DigitalIllustration

heldon Snail stops to talk to Freida Dragonfly during his snail mail route. #thetuesdaycollective prompt DRAGONFLY hosted by @thetuesdaycollective #doodlewashmarch2026 prompt Insect hosted by @doodlewashed #inkandwatercolor #picturebookillustration #picturebookauthor #picturebookartist #childrenspicturebooks #kidlit #ttc2025

Sheldon Snail stops to talk to Freida Dragonfly during his snail mail route.

#inkandwatercolor #picturebookillustration #picturebookauthor #picturebookartist #childrenspicturebooks #kidlit

A bright yellow cartoon duckling stands playfully by a blue stream under a large tree. The duck is wearing a large blue sunhat adorned with flowers and a red bow, a yellow top with white buttons, a purple ruffled tutu, and blue bloomers. The background features lush green grass and soft blue mountains under a sunny sky.

🦆 Your next bestseller needs a character this charming!

Meet Daisy, the most fashionable duck on the pond!

📩 DM for Custom Children’s Book illustrations!

#characterdesign #duckling #kidsbookart #picturebookauthor #whimsicalart #childrensillustrator #storytelling #vibrantart #indieauthor

Happy Spring Equinox!!! Today is the first day of spring so Rosie and Sara are out enjoying the beautiful blooms covering the hillside! A day filled with color and joy, so let yourself bloom! #timetobloom26 prompt 'Let Yourself Bloom' hosted by: @erikpapis @artbyingy @ozge._.alp @yliane_art @jay.artdiary @miho.minidogs @minagalan.art @serenas.art.story @tica_illustrations @tanushree.prateek @ulricaskarin.art @my.dreamy.illustrations #everyotherfriday2026 prompt 'Bloom Herald' hosted by @artofnelya #fineartmarch2026 prompt Colors hosted by: @nisha_artlover @sketchingsoul #inktober52 prompts Bloom and Covered hosted by @inktober #doodlewashmarch2026 prompt Buds hosted by @doodlewashed #inkandwatercolor #handdrawn #picturebookauthor #picturebookartist #kidlit #worldwatercolorgroup #inktober52covered #inktober52bloom

Happy Spring Equinox! Today is the first day of spring so Rosie & Sara are out enjoying the beautiful blooms covering the hillside! A day filled with color and joy, so let yourself bloom!

#inkandwatercolor #handdrawn #picturebookauthor #picturebookartist #kidlit #worldwatercolorgroup

Sharing with your 'buds' is only ok when they actually WANT the thing that you are sharing. This bear is "sharing" his cheese with these rabbits playing cards and they are NOT happy about it! 😂 #doodlewashmarch2026 prompt Buds hosted by @doodlewashed #inkandwatercolor #handdrawn #picturebookauthor #picturebookartist #kidlit #worldwatercolorgroup

Sharing with your 'buds' is only ok when they actually WANT the thing that you are sharing. This bear is "sharing" his cheese with these rabbits playing cards and they are NOT happy about it! 😂

#inkandwatercolor #handdrawn #picturebookauthor #picturebookartist #kidlit #worldwatercolorgroup

Yasmine Yak yawns while playing with her yo-yo during yoga! After she's done she will eat her yummy yogurt and knit with her yarn. #doodlewashmarch2026 prompt Yellow and Yoyo hosted by @doodlewashed #inkandwatercolor #handdrawn #picturebookauthor #picturebookartist #kidlit #worldwatercolorgroup

Yasmine Yak yawns while playing with her yo-yo during yoga! After she's done she will eat her yummy yogurt and knit with her yarn.

#inkandwatercolor #handdrawn #picturebookauthor #picturebookartist #kidlit #worldwatercolorgroup

What makes an author smile? Reviews from readers! WHEN DADDY SHOWS ME THE SKY & WHEN MAMA GROWS WITH ME available wherever books are sold. #picturebookauthor #readwithkids
#yogabooksforkids #kidsyogateacher

It's #kidlitartpostcard day!! I'm Jessie, an author and illustrator of children's picture books seeking representation. I focus on filling my work with whimsy and joy. All my illustrations are hand drawn, inked, and painted with watercolor. Some fun little trivia items about me... I have so many wonderful memories of children's books when I was a kid. But the character that I probably latched onto the most was Paddington. I had a stuffed Paddington that went with me everywhere. I slept with him, he went on adventures with me, and was my confidant. And then one Memorial Day weekend, my family was in a dingy heading out to a sailboat and the weather was bad. We capsized. All humans were safe. But... Paddington sunk to the bottom of the lake and we never were able to recover him. But Paddington has lived in my heart ever since. One of my all time favorite snacks is popcorn. I mean what's not to love! And finally, the first thing that I wanted to be when I grew up was an architect. I have always loved buildings, and the older the better. But... not a big fan of math which is pretty essential in being an architect. So, now I draw and create minus the math! And couldn't be happier about it! 😂😍 #kidlit #picturebookauthor #picturebookartist #picturebookillustrator #kidlitartpostcardday

It's #kidlitartpostcard day!! I'm Jessie, a kidlit author/illustrator seeking representation. I focus on filling my work with whimsy and joy. Illustrations are hand inked w/ watercolor. Fun trivia about me in the alt text! #kidlit #picturebookauthor #picturebookartist #kidlitartpostcardday

Saffron the Tiny Elephant is so bright and fun! Her rainbow umbrella that she is hiding behind has turned this chameleon elephant into a kaleidoscope of color! Gives her a bit of sparkle don't you think?! #SCBWIDrawThis prompt for March is Kaleidoscope hosted by @scbwi #doodlewashmarch2026 prompt Sparkle hosted by @doodlewashed #inkandwatercolor #handdrawn #picturebookauthor #picturebookartist #kidlit #worldwatercolorgroup

Saffron the Tiny Elephant is so bright & fun! Her rainbow umbrella that she is hiding behind has turned this chameleon elephant into a kaleidoscope of color! #SCBWIDrawThis prompt for March is Kaleidoscope hosted by @scbwi.bsky.social
#inkandwatercolor #picturebookauthor #picturebookartist #kidlit

Meet the Daffodil Ducks! Mama Danielle and her ducklings doddle by the pond on this dazzling day! Daffodil is the March flower prompt for @drawnanddisordered Calendar Blossoms challenge this year. #calendarblossomsmar2026 Previously I did Carnation-Chickens and a Violet-Vulture. Each month I will take the calendar flower for that month and make a hybrid flower-animal. @kidlitart_drawing_challenge prompt Blooming Flowers Daffodil prompt for #doodlewashmarch2026 hosted by @doodlewashed #inkandwatercolor #handdrawn #picturebookauthor #picturebookartist #kidlit #calendarblossoms2026 #worldwatercolorgroup

Meet the Daffodil Ducks! Mama Danielle and her ducklings doddle by the pond on this dazzling day!

#inkandwatercolor #handdrawn #picturebookauthor #picturebookartist #kidlit #calendarblossoms2026 #worldwatercolorgroup

Gregg Grasshopper travels along the grassy path looking for critters that he collaborate with for Betty Beetle's Birthday Bash. He comes across Phillip, a Praying Mantis, and is excited to recruit Phillip for his party plans! #thetuesdaycollective prompt PRAYING MANTIS hosted by @thetuesdaycollective #doodlewashfebruary2026 prompts STUMP, PATH, SPROUT hosted by @doodlewashed #quickillustrationchallenge prompt WINGS hosted by @andrii.kotov.store #inkandwatercolor #picturebookillustration #picturebookauthor #picturebookartist #childrenspicturebooks #kidlit #ttc2025

Gregg Grasshopper travels along the grassy path looking for critters that he collaborate with for Betty Beetle's Birthday Bash. He comes across Phillip, a Praying Mantis, and is excited to recruit Phillip for his party plans!

#inkandwatercolor #picturebookauthor #picturebookartist #kidlit

Vivian, the Violet-Vulture, has her ticket and is so excited to see the Three French Hens perform their annual Can-Can dance as part of the talent show at La Ferme Fleurie! Violet is the February flower prompt for @drawnanddisordered Calendar Blossoms challenge this year. #calendarblossomsfeb2026 Last month I did carnation-chickens. Each month I will take the calendar flower for that month and make a hybrid flower-animal. @kidlitart_drawing_challenge prompt Blooming Flowers Door prompt for #doodlewashjanuary2026 hosted by @doodlewashed #inkandwatercolor #handdrawn #picturebookillustration #picturebookauthor #picturebookartist #childrensbookart #childrenspicturebooks #kidslit #kidlit #kidlitartist #femaleillustrator #womanillustrator #calendarblossoms2026 #worldwatercolorgroup

Vivian, the Violet-Vulture, has her ticket and is so excited to see the Three French Hens perform their annual Can-Can dance as part of the talent show at La Ferme Fleurie!

#inkandwatercolor #picturebookauthor #picturebookartist #childrensbookart #childrenspicturebooks #kidlit

"I've heard of cow pies, but cow birthday cake?! I wonder who Cassie Cow is going to give that to? And it came out lit!!"

#inkandwatercolor #handdrawn #picturebookillustration #picturebookartist #picturebookauthor #kidlit #worldwatercolorgroup

Love is love. Love of self, love of others. Terry and Thomas Turtle are all about love! Turtle prompt for #doodlewashfebruary2026 hosted by @doodlewashed #inkandwatercolor #handdrawn #picturebookillustration #picturebookartist #picturebookauthor #kidlit #worldwatercolorgroup

Love is love. Love of self, love of others. Terry and Thomas Turtle are all about love!

#inkandwatercolor #handdrawn #picturebookillustration #picturebookartist #picturebookauthor #kidlit #worldwatercolorgroup

Vacation!!! Girls Trip!!! The Barnyard Beach Babes are having a fabulous time! Friends Forever! Beach prompt for #doodlewashfebruary2026 hosted by @doodlewashed #inkandwatercolor #handdrawn #picturebookillustration #picturebookartist #picturebookauthor #kidlit #worldwatercolorgroup

Vacation!!! Girls Trip!!! The Barnyard Beach Babes are having a fabulous time! Friends Forever!

#inkandwatercolor #handdrawn #picturebookillustration #picturebookartist #picturebookauthor #kidlit #worldwatercolorgroup

The final stage of Harriett Hedgehog's dream of becoming a fairy is almost complete! Maple Leaf Wings... Check! Crab Apple Helmet... Check! Now she has found the magic fairy mushrooms and will learn how to fly!! Better late than never, this is my final entry (very, very late) for the #magicfallfairy2025 challenge. Second prompt is MUSHROOM FALL FAIRY. This lovely challenge is hosted by: @baran_illustrator @my.dreamy.illustrations @daisygossip.illustrator @art_by_aeliana @marie_g_illustration @five_oclock.art And #doodlewashfebruary2026 prompt LIMB (since she is going out on a limb and taking a leap of faith to fly) hosted by @doodlewashed #inkandwatercolor #picturebookartist #kidlit #worldwatercolorgroup #picturebookauthor

The final stage of Harriett Hedgehog's dream of becoming a fairy is almost complete! Maple Leaf Wings... Check! Crab Apple Helmet... Check! Now she has found the magic fairy mushrooms and will learn how to fly!!

#inkandwatercolor #picturebookartist #kidlit #worldwatercolorgroup #picturebookauthor

Derrick the Dragon surprises Doris at her cave. He wants to let her know... "You set my heart on fire!" Dragon and Hearts prompts for #doodlewashfebruary2026 hosted by @doodlewashed #inkandwatercolor #handdrawn #picturebookillustration #picturebookartist #picturebookauthor #kidlit #worldwatercolorgroup

Derrick the Dragon surprises Doris at her cave. He wants to let her know... "You set my heart on fire!"

#inkandwatercolor #handdrawn #picturebookillustration #picturebookartist #picturebookauthor #kidlit #worldwatercolorgroup

Nigel Newt notices it’s noon on the clock which means it is time to eat his noodles and not read the newspaper. Clock prompt for #doodlewashfebruary2026 hosted by @doodlewashed #inkandwatercolor #handdrawn #picturebookillustration #picturebookartist #picturebookauthor #kidlit #worldwatercolorgroup

Nigel Newt notices it’s noon on the clock which means it is time to eat his noodles and not read the newspaper.

#inkandwatercolor #handdrawn #picturebookillustration #picturebookartist #picturebookauthor #kidlit #worldwatercolorgroup

She has beauty, She has grace, She is Aphrodite with a monster face! For this month's @artistryink_challenge love themed prompts, I thought it would be fun to imagine them in a monster world. #artistryinkchallenge2026 prompt APHRODITE hosted by @artistryink_challenge and @silvana_blackink_art #artistryinkchallengeaphrodite #inkandwatercolor #picturebookart #childrenspicturebooks #kidslit #kidlit #kidlitartist #artistryinkchallenge #artistryinkchallengefebruary2026

She has beauty, She has grace,
She is Aphrodite with a monster face!

#inkandwatercolor #picturebookart #childrenspicturebooks #kidslit #kidlit #kidlitartist #artistryinkchallenge #picturebookartist #picturebookauthor #artistryinkchallengefebruary2026

It's #kidlitartpostcard day!! I'm Jessie, an author and illustrator of children's picture books seeking representation. I focus on filling my work with whimsy and joy. All my illustrations are hand drawn, inked, and painted with watercolor. Some fun little trivia items about me... My favorite television show since I was 7 years old is Murder She Wrote. I've watched every episode (12 seasons worth) more times than I can count. I have a phobia of birds. Very much enjoy illustrating them and I love having bird feeders in our yard. But ever since I was attacked by chickens when I was a kid (totally my fault for surprising them), I have major fear of birds -- especially when they swoop. My favorite flower is the tulip. I think they are just so beautiful. Unfortunately it's very difficult to grow them where we live in Texas (we don't get a cold enough winter for the bulbs). But I love getting them at the market and have some faux ones that sit in a vase in my studio. #kidlit #picturebookauthor #picturebookartist #picturebookillustrator #kidlitartpostcardday

It's #kidlitartpostcard day! I'm Jessie, author/illustrator of PB seeking representation. I focus on filling my work with whimsy & joy. Illustrations are hand drawn, inked, & watercolor. Fun trivia about me in the alt text.
#kidlit #picturebookauthor #picturebookartist #picturebookillustrator

Oh no, her bubble burst! Saffron the Tiny Elephant has bubblegum ALL OVER! Last month Saffron blew a huge pink bubblegum bubble and turned herself completely pink! But now she has gum all over herself!

What will happen next?

#inkandwatercolor #picturebookauthor #picturebookartist #kidlit

George is the April Fool Bunny (who is WAY funnier than that more well known rabbit, the Easter Bunny, by the way)!
He is Hare-larious and headlining at The Funny Bunny Club!

#inkandwatercolor #picturebookartist #picturebookauthor #kidlit #kidlitartdrawingchallenge #worldwatercolorgroup

Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: 2026 PB Rising Stars Application Prep Party. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar. Application Prep Party (Virtual/Zoom) — Attend our first-ever mentee application prep party event! This live session will break down the application step by step, highlight what makes submissions shin...

We will still be hosting the Application Prep Party on February 12th, where @ebonylynnmudd and @kaileipewbooks will get you more ready than ever to apply to PB Rising Stars. Register now!

us06web.zoom.us/webinar/regi...

#picturebookauthor #picturebookillustration #illustration #kidlit

The Recess Robots will now demonstrate how to jump rope for all you kiddos. WAIT! That doesn't seem to be right?!? Bee-boop, Boo-beep! Malfunction, Malfunction! Kids don't try this at home! 😂 Gear prompt from @andrii.kotov.store #quickillustrationchallenge @inktober prompt CRUNCH (since robots crunch when they walk -- or play jump rope) #inktober52crunch2026 #inktober52crunch Robot Recess prompt from @kidlitart_drawing_challenge #inkandwatercolor #handdrawn #inkdrawing #watercolor #illustration #illustrator #picturebookillustration #picturebookart #picturebookartist #childrensbookart #childrenspicturebooks #kidslit #kidlit #kidlitartdrawingchallenge #inktober52

The Recess Robots will now demonstrate how to jump rope for all you kiddos. WAIT! That doesn't seem to be right?!? Bee-boop, Boo-beep! Malfunction, Malfunction! Kids don't try this at home! 😂

#inkandwatercolor #picturebookillustration #picturebookartist #picturebookauthor #kidslit #kidlit

As we delve into this new year, I thought it would be fun to share with y'all some of the key elements that make up my creative process each week. Today is my final creative process share for January and I am sharing my mantra for 2026: MARINATING MY PROFICIENCY True expertise isn't acquired instantly but is built in the "quiet moments" and through daily habits and discipline. The idea of coming up with either a word or mantra to steady you through a year is certainly not a new concept. But for me, it is a practice that started after being inspired by my dear friend @ggpotter who does it with such intention and purpose, spending time contemplating his goals and journey for the coming year. Gregg is a Collaboration Coach and the Executive Director of the International Institute on Collaboration (@iioncollaboration ) #creativeprocess #creativejourney #inkandwatercolor #handdrawn #inkdrawing #watercolor #illustration #illustrator #picturebookillustration #picturebookart #picturebookartist #childrensbookart #childrenspicturebooks #kidslit #kidlit #kidlitartist #femaleillustrator #womanillustrator #womanwriter #femalewriter

My mantra for 2026: MARINATING MY PROFICIENCY
True expertise isn't acquired instantly but is built in the "quiet moments" and through daily habits and discipline.
#creativeprocess #creativejourney #picturebookartist #picturebookauthor #kidslit #kidlit

Happy Christmas from Addie and Little Book. There are big things coming for them in the new year!

I've finished all my 2025 projects. I have one left that lingers into January, but for now, I'm off and spending time with family! Happy Christmas to all!

#picturebookauthor