Sometimes, I like to draw dogs as a warm up exercise. It always puts me in a good mood. #kidlitart #kidlitartist #doggos

Whale, whale… what do we have here? It’s #kidlitartpostcard day! I’m Ellie, a #kidlit author/illo in the Seattle area. Always on the look for new projects and a dab hand at sea creatures. 🐋 I’m rep’d by @adriagoetz.bsky.social of KT Literary. #whaleart #kidlitartpostcardday #cutpaper

I’m so happy I can share that my next book is HOW TO CRASH A KITE with Norton Young Readers ! Many thanks to my amazing agent @adriagoetz.bsky.social at @ktliterary.bsky.social for sealing the deal! Let’s send it soaring into 2027! #steambooksforkids #kidlit #sciencepicturebooks

Sliding into 2026 w/ a sense of fun and adventure! I’m Ellie and I love illustrating sweet and silly animals. I illustrate a couple different styles, but this cut paper look is one of my faves! I’m rep’d by @adriagoetz.bsky.social of @ktliterary.bsky.social #kidlitartpostcard #kidlitartpostcardday

Happy 2026 friends! I often pick a word or phrase to guide my goals and priorities for the new year. This year I picked ‘hit et nunc’, a Latin phrase that means here and now. It’s a reminder to focus on being present. Hope you all find your own ways to stay grounded in the moment.

Snow people dancing by moonlight. ☃️🌕

When I taught and wanted the kids to have quiet mindful work time, I’d put an aquarium scene on the big screen. There’s something calming about fishies going about their day. #tropicalfishart #kidlitart #childrensbookillustration #cutpaperillustration #fishfriends

So this amount of food cost me $38 at Panera bread yesterday. But “there’s almost no inflation.” Right.

Join me this Saturday evening as we help Watermark Book Co. celebrate their 36th anniversary! It'll be an after-hours celebration and I'll be signing How to Hug a Pufferfish and A Geoduck is Not a Duck. Great chance to get a special holiday gift for your little!

Love this so much!!!

I’ve lived in the Pacific Northwest since 1984. In all that time I think we’ve had two dry Halloweens. Maybe three. 🤔 #kidlitart #halloweenart

I'm shaking almost too hard to type. I entered SLC airport and heard screams and cries for help. I could see people gathered around, watching. I sped over to discover this woman face down on the floor, four grown men pushing her down, while she cried "HELP ME" and pled for her child.

Curcurbita pepo. 🎃 #kidlitart #cutpaperillustration #botanicalillustration

Meet Count Broccula, dark lord of the cruciferae, vlad the inhaler (of CO2), bringer of veggie viciousness. #vampireveggie #cutpaper #kidlitart #spookyvegtables #spookystories

Hi #kidlitartpostcard day! This froggy is a courtin’ and so am I… for a picture book project, that is. 😉 I’m rep’d by @adriagoetz.bsky.social of KT Literary. #kidlitart #childrensillustration #frog #picturebookillustration

This was such a fun prompt. I'm so glad my "Holey Socktrimony" piece was one of the winners. 😆

Gnome worry, be happy! #kidlitart #kidlitpostcard

Their parents said it would never work, but they knew in their hearts they were a perfect pair. #mismatched #scbwidrawthis #scbwiillustrators #scbwi

Thank you #WLA2025! What a fantastic conference! And many thanks to all who came to @bellevuebookie and my workshop, Awesome Author Visits! We had such a great time connecting with librarians from all over the state. You guys are amazing and we so appreciate EVERYTHING you do!!! 🥰 📚

Teachers, librarians, PTSA peeps! I still have availability for school visits this Spring. Reach out if you'd like to book something for April, May, or June. You can learn more about my offerings at the link below. www.elliepetersonart.com/school-visits

🐾❤️ Looking for awesome books for animal-lovers? Don’t miss @scbwiimpact.bsky.social Charlotte & Wilbur Award winners, HOME IS CALLING by @elliepeterson.bsky.social & @katherinepryor.bsky.social + THE WILDES by Roland Smith 👉 www.kidlit.tv/SCBWICharlot... @scbwi.bsky.social @linoliver22.bsky.social

Hooray! Home Is Calling: The Journey of the Monarch Butterfly by @katherinepryor.bsky.social & illustrated by me was included on 2026 Illinois Monarch Award Master List (K-3 Readers' Choice Award). Pub'd 2023 by Worthy Kids press. Learn more about the award and see the list at aisled.org/monarch/

One week until our Word Craft event! 🎨 @elliepeterson.bsky.social joins Alexandra Oliva in a discussion of "writing and illustrating children's books." When, you ask? Thursday, February 27 at 6:30 pm. No tickets or registration required - just show up!

It's a beautiful afternoon for bannering.

Had a great time doing this today! All the honks and waves and thumbs ups really filled my heart.

I'm chatting with Alexandra Oliva at @brick-mortar.bsky.social 2/27 at 6:30pm. We'll be talking all about my fave topic EVER (besides the captivating world of slime molds) - writing and illustrating picture books! Bring your questions and get ready for insights. #wordcraft #slimemoldsarecool

Hi friends! I’m Ellie, a picture book author and illustrator in the Seattle area. I love drawing mamas and babies of all types. Learn more about me at elliepetersonart.com #kidlitartpostcard #kidlitpostcard

Playing with sumi ink and rice paper. Lots to learn, but I like the birds.

Tomorrow I give a speech to 200 adults. Friends, I could speak to 1000 kids with 2 min notice and be perfectly fine, but adults? 😬 And I’ve decided I’m going to be vulnerable and open up about my childhood, the hard parts of it, and the way school and books pulled me through. Wish me luck.

Happy lunar new year! It’s the year of the blue snake. 🐍🩵

Spent a wonderful evening with kidlit pals at the LWSD Reflections art show and then drinks and fabulous conversation after. The art some of these kids are making is truly astounding!!! 🤩 Love that the Reflections program has been offering arts opportunities and recognition in schools for 50 yrs!

Last call! My Illustrate a Picture Book with Procreate class starts THIS Monday, January 27th. You get six 1.5 hour sessions for only $150! Plus, I record all classes and send skills sheets for review. I will probably not offer this course again until the fall. tr.ee/yUXaMiwxKI

Aspiring illustrators, there's still time to register for my Illustrate with Procreate class at the early bird rate! I'm a traditionally published author/illustrator who loves teaching and loves Procreate! The link to register and my bio are in the comments. #learnprocreate #illustratewithprocreate

Thanks for the kind words! It was so much fun to illustrate!

Goat pupils are cool. They’re horizontal to give them a panoramic view, which makes it easier to notice predators. I could have used such pupils back in my teaching days. #decembimals

Looks a little like Elle Wood’s dog, Bruiser. Just not as fashionable.

Dapper cicada ready for a night on the town after 17 years.

I was today-years old when I found out that naked mole rats can move their incisors independently… like CHOPSTICKS. 😳Guys, I think about how easy this would make picking M&Ms out of handfuls of trail mix. 🤯 #decembimals

This is a 2-D deer and her baby, but if you wanna see 3-D deer and don’t have one hanging around, this is nifty… arvr.google.com/scene-viewer...

Would not mind a pair of loose fitting overalls like these, especially after the number of Xmas cookies I’ve sampled today. 😁🤤😋 #decembimals

Ostriches really do have the most shapely thighs.

Apologies for the #decembimals hiatus! A lot of travel this past week. This jolly pig is here to get me back in the groove. 🐷🎅🏼

A blue whale’s heart is the size of a Volkswagen Beetle. That is all. #decembimals

Had my illustration critique meeting tonight. We call ourselves the Broad Strokes and some of us have been together for 8 years. I love them all so much!!! How long have you been with your critique partners?

Happy hedgehog day! That’s not a thing, but it doesn’t seem fair that groundhogs get one.

In an effort to learn and use Bluesky more, I’m going to post animal art everyday in December. I’m calling it #decembimals! Did you know young zebra males form “bachelor herds?” This guy’s ready for a night out with the boys.

What do these books have in common? 🤔 Researching “versus” books of all types, currently. Lmk what else I should add to the list.

Hi Blue Sky community! Do you know of any illustrators who illustrated their traditionally published picture books using Procreate only? I’m teaching a class on Procreate for kidlit illustration soon and would love to find examples to show all of the style Procreate can achieve!

I gotta new graphic novel and a whole afternoon free. ☺️

Time for a book giveaway! If you'd like me to mail you an advance copy of my Apr. '25 MG novel in verse THE TROUBLE WITH HEROES, follow & share this post. Bonus entry if you also reply w/ a pic from a recent hike! I'll draw winners on 12/1. About the book: bookshop.org/p/books/the-... #edusky