I've been so grateful to work with @jenfierjasinski.com on some of my picture book manuscripts. Her feedback was super insightful, and I can't wait to get my edits done and hear her perspective!

2024 projects and illustrations I'm most proud of :) I enjoy making these so I can go back and see the progress and directions I've made over the years. #childrensbooks #kidlitart #picturebookillustration

First #kidlitartpostcard day of 2025! I'm a children's book illustrator and author currently focusing on picture books and book covers, and expanding into graphic novels. If you want to stay up to date with my newsletter, subscribe here: substack.com/@melissalett... #childrensbookillustration

May your December #kidlitartpostcard day be merry and bright! I'm a children's book illustrator and author currently focusing on picture books and book covers. #childrensbookillustration #picturebookartist #kidlitart

If you see this, post a bunny! 🐇✨ #kidlit #illustration

Last day of #folktaleweek! I'm so glad I got to work on this challenge this year. Thank you, @folktaleweek, for putting this together! Final prompt was BLOSSOM. #folktaleweek2024 #folktaleweekblossom #kidlitart

Almost done with #folktaleweek! Day 6 prompt is BONE. @folktaleweek.bsky.social #folktaleweek2024 #folktaleweekbone #kidlitart

#folktaleweek prompt DEPTH for today! I'm rather proud of this one. Water is always a challenge, but it's so cool! @folktaleweek #folktaleweek2024 #folktaleweekdepth #kidlitart

#folktaleweek day 4! You may have notice a theme: spooky faces on things 💀. @folktaleweek's prompt for today was TRAIL. #folktaleweek2024 #folktaleweekgate #kidlitart

Day three of #folktaleweek was a challenge. The prompt BLIGHT didn't come as easily to me as some of the others. @folktaleweek.bsky.social #folktaleweek2024 #folktaleweekblight #kidlitart

This might be a quick way to de-mystify some of these social media events - I never quite figured them out on any platform, and this looks so simple! I'll have to try to participate next time!

#folktaleweek continues! It's been fun and daunting to play with this simpler style. @folktaleweek's prompt for today was GATE. #folktaleweek2024 #folktaleweekgate #kidlitart

I'm finally participating in #folktaleweek! Thanks @folktaleweek for hosting! I'm using this opportunity to play with a very different, simpler style than I often use, and I'm excited to see how it goes. Today's prompt was MIST. The journey awaits... #folktaleweek2024 #folktaleweekmist #kidlitart

Sometimes you just have to fiddle around with previous work. I updated a mock cover I made and had a good (though tricky!) time playing with the font color. The far left version is the original, and the other two are new. Which is your favorite? #bookcover #bookcoverillustration #bookcoverdesign

November #kidlitartpostcard day! I'm a children's book illustrator and author currently focusing on picture books and book covers. I've also starting a Substack newsletter, so if you want to keep up to date with my artwork and progress, subscribe here: substack.com/@melissalett...

Maggie is convinced she lives an absolutely ordinary life on a perfectly normal farm. After all, her days are filled with regular chores like putting out fresh hay (hmm... that's not a horse, is it?), planting crops (are those magic beans?) and collecting eggs (wait - is that a DRAGON?!). #SkyPitch

I'm starting a (hopefully) monthly newsletter! If you want to keep up with my art endeavors, sign up! It's available to read through Substack or can be sent to your email 🙂 Here's the October newsletter, where you can read and subscribe! www.melissalettisart.substack.com/p/october-art-and-updates

I illustrated another book that came out last month! Our Beautiful Tribe, by Aaron Copeland. So great to work on this project with him! The author has it up for sale in hardback and paperback here: store.bookbaby.com/book/our-bea... #picturebooks #childrensbookillustration

I'm back from my hiatus! I will not be as active on socials as before, but will still do #kidlitartpostcard day! I'm a children's book illustrator and author currently focusing on picture books and book covers. I'm also starting a Substack newsletter, so subscribe here! substack.com/@melissalett...

In honor of all the Northern Lights the last few days, here's an illustration that I updated last year! I'm sad that I didn't see any this past weekend due to cloud cover, but I saw some great ones growing up in Alaska. #kidlitart #childrensbookartist #childrensbookillustration #picturebookart

Fellow kid lit artists - this is awesome! Brian LaRossa has been doing a lot for the Bluesky Kid Lit community!

How is it MAY already?! #kidlitartpostcardday sneaks up on me again! I'm an illustrator/author looking for new illustration projects and agent rep. I focus on picture books and also do book covers. #kidlitartpostcard #childrensbookillustration #kidlitart #picturebookillustration #mermay

There's a #WorldBookDay?! To celebrate, I'm posing with my exciting little collection of books I've worked on as an illustrator. There's several more in the works to be added to my little armful soon! May it continue growing! #kidlit #kidlitart #illustrator #childrensbookillustration #kidlitartist

I can't pass up an adorable #dragon #DTIYS ! It was so fun to play with the characters and color palette for @evelienmonti's (on Instagram) #DTIYSchallenge #evelienmonti1k. I worked on keeping things simple and had a good time with this one.

#PortfolioDay always sneaks up on me! I'm a children's book illustrator (and author) always on the look out for my next big project! I focus on picture books and also do book covers. Seeking rep. #childrensbookillustration #kidlit #kidlitart #illustrationportfolio

#kidlitartpostcardday once more. We're getting flowers out this way! I'm an illustrator/author looking for new illustration projects and agent rep. I focus on picture books, but also do middle grade and book covers. #kidlitartpostcard #childrensbookillustration #kidlitart #picturebookillustration

I just realized I hadn't posted a photo with The Magical Divide by Rebecca Sutter! At some point I should work on my photo-taking skills, but look! More real books! Getting printed copies with my illustrations in them is still quite the experience ❤️ #kidlit #kidlitart #childrensbookillustration

I'm excited to share that I was chosen for the Illustration Showcase for PBParty this year! Thank you @mindyalyseweiss and all the fabulous judges for the work you put into making this contest happen! (And to @melissaescobarart for making the artwork for the event!)

#kidlitartpostcard day, everyone! I'm an illustrator & author with a focus on picture books and book covers. This illustration is from a picture book that I recently finished the book dummy for, and I'm very excited to see where it goes! #kidlitartpostcardday #kidlitart #childrensbookillustration

Sneak peek at a second illustration I'm doing for my project! I'll post both of these final illustrations next month. #WIP #childrensbookillustration #kidlitart #picturebookartwork

#3tofollow! CHALLENGE: Recommend 3 Bluesky accts w/ fewer than 500 followers who have made at least 1 post. Incl hashtag + context. @maririchards.bsky.social - Author/Illustrator and toy designer @tracivw.bsky.social - Author/Illustrator @martapilosio.bsky.social - Author/Illustrator

I'm getting a project of mine ready for some upcoming events, so here's a little sneak peek at one of the illustrations! #WIP #childrensbookillustration #kidlitart #picturebookartwork

I'm getting another book of mine ready to query! You all know I love me some color palettes, so here are some character designs and different color versions! Any favorites? #characterdesign #childrensbookillustration #kidlitart #kidlitillustration #childrensbookart

Another illustration from The Magical Divide by Rebecca Sutter @rebeccasutter8. I know this is out of season, but I really do love the autumn aesthetic! ❤️ #kidlitillustration #childrensbookillustration #childrensbooks #picturebookillustration #kidlitart

February #kidlitartpostcard snuck up quick! I'm an illustrator & author with a focus on picture books and book covers. I'm in the middle of a couple projects, but hopefully I'll get a fancy new illustration ready for the March postcard! #kidlitartpostcardday #kidlitart #childrensbookillustration

I did a character design for this little cutie last year. Glad to finally share her with you all! #kidlitillustration #childrensbookillustration #childrensbooks #picturebookillustration #kidlitart #characterdesign

Last year I worked on the beautiful book The Magical Divide by Rebecca Sutter. I got to spend months drawing nature fairies! Designing these characters was such a treat. ❄️🌷☀️🍁 #kidlitillustration #childrensbookillustration #childrensbooks #picturebookillustration #kidlitart

2024 self portrait! I bought the fabric to make these pants, but I haven't actually made them yet... they're one of my winter projects coming up! #childrensbookillustration #kidlitart #selfportrait

I hope you're all getting to spend a little time with friends or family this winter! Another illustration from Beautiful from Head to Toe - it was great working with Jayson K. Jones and Kandace Rodriguez on this! #childrensbookillustration #kidlitart #picturebookart #kidlitillustration

New year, new #kidlitartpostcard! I'm an illustrator & author with a focus on picture books and book covers. Some days you're a ballerina. Some days you're a pirate. Some days you're both. #kidlitartpostcardday #kidlitart #childrensbookillustration

My #YearInReview2023 These are some of the pieces or projects I'm most proud of this year. I love making these each year to see the progress I'm making. It can be so hard to see unless you take a step back and notice. #illustration #kidlitart #childrensbookillustration

Merry Christmas! #kidlitart #childrensbookillustration #childrensbookillustrator #kidlitartist

A character design sheet I made for Maya in The Magical Divide by Rebecca Sutter. Such a great project to work on! #characterdesign #picturebookcharacter #kidlitart #kidlitillustrator #childrensbookillustration

An illustration from the book Beautiful from Head to Toe that I illustrated with Three L Press earlier this year. I love how this one turned out with the mirror! #kidlitillustration #childrensbookillustration #childrensbooks #picturebookillustration #kidlitart

I decided my little avatar self needed a seasonal update this year! I present: Holiday Melissa! I did two new versions - which do you like best? #kidlitart #childrensbookillustration #holidays

Happy December #kidlitartpostcard day! I'm an illustrator & author focusing on picture books and book covers. I am seeking representation! My first agent and I recently parted ways amicably, and I wish her the best success with her clients. #kidlitart #childrensbookillustration #kidlitillustration

I just finished illustrating a picture book with author Rebecca Sutter and I couldn't be happier with the result! The Magical Divide is available for pre-order through Becca Sutter's website www.rebecca-sutter.com #childrensbookillustration #kidlit #kidlitart #fairies #nature

I found time for another #dtyis! I found @_lady_moira_ on Instagram and knew that I needed to draw an adorable little goth kiddo when I saw her #dtiysladymoira post. Here's my spin on her beautiful character! Also bubble tea is amazing #kidlitillustration #kidlitart #illustration

Author JD Estrada (@jdestradawriter) interviewed me for his blog! If you want to learn more about what I do (make art), how I do it (rather methodically), or what my signature brunch special would be (hint: it includes tea), then check it out! The link: jdestradawriter.blogspot.com/2023/11/behi...

I'm making edits on a book I'm writing/illustrating, and this page had to get chopped. I'm sharing the original illustration (red earmuffs) and a reworked version of it (purple earmuffs). It was fun to add a few updates! #kidlitart #childrensbookillustration #picturebookillustration #northernlights