Children’s book pro

LEARN TO ILLUSTRATE A CHILDREN’S BOOK, ONE STEP AT A TIME

Join The Waitlist-Fall 2026

Have you ever dreamed of illustrating a children’s book but don’t know where to start?

Children’s Book Pro is an 8-week children’s book journey guided by three professional illustrators, each sharing their own unique approach. Learn the process from multiple perspectives, create work you’re proud of, and leave with a clear, confident path forward.

HEre's a few things that set us apart:

  • Learn from three professional children’s book illustrators (and a few wonderful guest artists along the way), each bringing their own experience and perspective into the class.

  • Move through the course with confidence using guided assignments and thoughtful checklists, so you always know what to focus on next.

  • Follow a true start-to-finish journey, where each step builds toward a finished, portfolio-ready piece you’ll feel proud to share.

  • Tackle clear, approachable assignments designed to turn big ideas into manageable, creative progress.

  • Be gently guided through the full process of illustrating a children’s book…from early planning and sketching, through production, all the way to publishing insights.

  • Join us each week for live sessions where you can ask questions, get unstuck, and feel supported in real time.

  • Step into a private, welcoming class space where you can share your work, exchange ideas, and connect with artists from around the world—just like being in the studio together.

what you’ll experience!

Weekly Livestreams

Meet each week to ask questions, stay inspired, and learn from your instructors and peers.

Premium Course Content

10 weeks of in-depth video lessons designed to guide you through the full illustration process.

choose your story

Select from three finished manuscripts, ready for you to bring to life through illustration.

special guest visits

We’ll be joined by inspiring professional illustrators who will share their work and connect with you live!

Meet classmates, exchange ideas, and grow together as you create.

Learn from the pros

You’ll be guided by three professional children’s book illustrators who have created over 75 books with top publishers, and who bring that experience directly into the class.

private community space

meet our instructors!

Lee White

Lee has illustrated over 27 children's books, including Love, Santa and Kate, Who Tamed The Wind, and This Pretty Planet.

Lee spends his days breathing life into his imaginary world. He works primarily in watercolor, but likes to include all sorts of media, such as ink, colored pencil and collage.

Lee works out of his home studio in Colorado, and is represented by Lori Kilkelly.

Illustrator

Jake Parker

Jake currently works as an illustrator and cartoonist on children's books and comics.

For the last 25 years Jake has worked on everything from animated films to comics to picture books. For several years he worked for Reel FX and Blue Sky Studios on such projects as Horton Hears a Who, Rio, and Epic. He is the creator of the popular Inktober drawing challenge.

Jake works out of his home studio in Virginia.

Illustrator/Cartoonist
Picture Book Author/Illustrator

Samantha Cotterill

Samantha Cotterill is an award-winning author and illustrator celebrated for her inventive 3D paper dioramas and picture books, including such titles as A Grand Day, Thankful, Just Add Glitter and Look.

Samantha works out of her home studio in Upstate New York, and is represented by Kirsten Hall at Catbird.

Samples of books by our instructors

  • Samantha Cotterill

    Look, written by Gabi Snyder and illustrated by Samantha Cotterill

  • Lee White

    This Pretty Planet, written by Tom Chapin and John Forster. Illustrated by Lee White

  • Jake Parker

    Little Bot Sparrow, written and illustrated by Jake Parker

  • A Grand Day

    A Grand Day, written by Jean Reidy and illustrated by Samantha COtterill

  • David Hohn

    “Nana the great Goes Camping, written by Lisa Tawn Bergren, illustrated by David Hohn