My Two Languages / Mes deux langues — A Bilingual Board Book 🇨🇦

I am seeking a children’s book illustrator (junior to mid-career, with strong skill and creativity) to collaborate on a self-published board book for ages 3+. The story introduces the joy and importance of growing up bilingual in Canada (English and French), in a warm, affirming tone similar to I Am a Big Sister.

Book Details:
• Format: Board book (12 spreads / 24 pages)
• Audience: Ages 3+ (toddlers and preschoolers)
• Theme: Celebrating bilingualism (English + French), family, heritage, and belonging
• Tone: Simple, nurturing, inclusive, with everyday Canadian settings (home, school, park, family video calls)
• Manuscript: Completed (English text with French translations provided)
• Storyboard: Draft storyboard with illustration notes already created
• Goal: To produce engaging, playful, and visually clear illustrations that bring the bilingual text to life for young readers

Illustration Style:
• Bright, bold, and toddler-friendly visuals
• Warm, inclusive representation (diverse families, Canadian settings)
• Clear imagery that pairs well with simple text
• Flexible to your unique style (open to digital, hand-drawn, watercolor, or textured art approaches)

Deliverables:
• 12 full-spread illustrations (board book layout)
• Cover design
• Print-ready files for a board book printer (e.g., Pint Size Productions)
• Optional: simple endpaper pattern

Budget & Payment:
• Open to discussion based on experience and scope, based on estimated number of hours
• Fair rates for an emerging illustrator
• Payment milestones tied to storyboard approval, draft sketches, and final art delivery

Ideal Illustrator:
• Being based or from Canada is mandatory to enforce the authenticity of this piece of work. Thanks for your understanding here 😊
• Experience or strong interest in children’s book illustration
• Comfortable collaborating with self-published authors
• Excited to grow their portfolio with a bilingual children’s book project

How to Apply:
Please share:
1. A short introduction about yourself
2. Your portfolio or sample work (especially children’s/board book style)
3. Your estimated timeline and rate’s

For what period of time will the freelancer be needed?
Best part of a week