Children's Book Illustrator + Designer

Overview I'm seeking an experienced children's book illustrator and designer to bring an original middle-grade story to life. This is an original empowerment story for girls ages 9–12 that blends fantasy, adventure, emotional growth, and magical realism. The manuscript is complete, and I have detailed illustration notes throughout the story to guide the creative process. I'm looking for someone who can help create a visually stunning book that has the potential to become the first title in a larger children's series. A signed NDA will be required before the full manuscript is shared. What I Need I'm looking for someone who can: Design memorable, diverse characters Create beautiful fantasy environments Produce full-color illustrations Design the interior layout Format the book for print and digital publishing Design a professional front cover, back cover, and spine Prepare print-ready files Style I'm looking for artwork that feels: Magical Warm Whimsical Emotionally expressive Rich in color Cinematic Timeless Think modern children's publishing with expressive characters and immersive environments. The Ideal Illustrator You should have experience with: Children's books Character development Fantasy illustration Book layout Print production Amazon KDP and/or IngramSpark formatting Please include examples of published children's books you've illustrated. Deliverables Character concepts Style guide Full-page and spot illustrations Cover design Interior layout Print-ready PDF eBook files Editable source files Please Include Portfolio Children's books you've illustrated Timeline Fixed-price quote Whether you're comfortable signing an NDA before reviewing the manuscript Long-Term Opportunity This project is intended to become the foundation of a larger children's brand. I'm looking for an illustrator who is interested in building a long-term creative partnership for future books and related products.