About this Project

“There’s Love in the Trees” is a heartwarming children’s book about a young child and their fox friend facing life’s challenges together. Through lyrical storytelling and vibrant illustrations, this tale highlights how nature offers comfort and guidance when little ones feel lost or sad. Aimed at ages 2–5, the book invites children—and the grown-ups reading with them—to discover that love is always present, even in the most difficult moments.

My Role

As the illustrator and creative lead, I was responsible for:

  • Character Design: Crafted emotionally expressive designs for the boy and his fox companion.

  • Illustrations: Brought the story to life with detailed, vibrant, and engaging artwork across all pages.

  • Formatting and Layout: Ensured a seamless flow between text and illustrations for an enjoyable reading experience.

  • Color Work: Created a consistent color palette that evokes warmth and wonder, suitable for a story of love and discovery.

  • Printing Research: Collaborated with the author to research and coordinate with printing services, ensuring the production of high-quality physical copies of the book.

The Process

  • Initial Character Sketches

Logo

This project also included some leg work to create a logo for the publishing company Little Myths Publishing.

Opening Scene:
The story begins with the tender line, “On the day you were born,” accompanied by a whimsical illustration of the moon, mountains, and flowing water cradling the boy’s journey. This image sets a celestial and nurturing tone for the story, symbolizing the love and interconnectedness of nature.

Character Development:
As the boy and his fox explore together, their bond deepens with each page. My illustrations were designed to capture sweet play scenes, shared wonder, and gentle care, showing how their friendship and trust grow and to serve as the emotional core of the story, underscoring themes of companionship and connection.

Moments of Trial:
The duo faces challenges, such as a stormy night or moments of separation, depicted through dynamic compositions and a shift in color tones.

Resolution:
The boy and the fox rediscover each other by the love in the trees, portrayed in a glowing, golden scene that symbolizes warmth and hope.

Process and Tools

  • Sketches and Prototyping: Early concepts were explored through pencil sketches and watercolors.

  • Digital Illustration: Final illustrations were completed on an iPad, utilizing Procreate for its versatile tools and flexibility.

Reflection

This project was an incredible opportunity to explore storytelling through illustration. Collaborating closely with my author, I developed not only the visual narrative but also the logistical aspects, like formatting and printing. It strengthened my skills in end-to-end project execution and my passion for creating impactful, memorable art for children.

Creative Bits

As we near the end of our tour, here’s a small gallery showcasing a few of the creative bits and pieces I’ve produced for breweries, coffeehouses, clients, and commissioned projects over the years.