Benny & Max: A Forest Adventure Picture Book

A cozy, heartwarming picture book about two best friends, Benny the Little Bear and Max the Little Mouse, and the big imaginations that turn an ordinary day into an adventure.

I illustrated this children’s picture book from start to finish, bringing a gentle forest friendship to life through warm colours, charming characters and storybook scenery. The story follows Benny and Max as they share morning tea, set off beyond Tall Tree Hill, and play in a wildflower meadow, ending with a quiet sunset.

What I created:

• Full-colour interior spreads for a picture book for young readers
• Original character designs for Benny the bear and Max the mouse, consistent across every page
• Detailed storybook environments: a cozy cabin with a glowing orange roof, rolling hills, daisies and sunflowers, and a sunlit meadow
• Supporting woodland characters, including playful squirrels in the treetops
• Text-friendly layouts, with space left for the story on each spread so words and pictures work together

Style:

• Soft, warm digital illustration with a golden, sunny palette
• Rounded, friendly characters with rich natural detail
• A safe and inviting look for young children, ideal for bedtime reading

Why it works:

• Each spread guides a child’s eye from the characters to the details around them
• Colours shift from fresh greens in the morning to golden tones at sunset to match the mood of the story

Have a story that needs characters and a world of its own? Message me with your idea, your target age group and your deadline, and let’s bring it to life.