As Winds Gather - one of my hand-drawn fountain pen ink drawings on paper ✍️⛅ A look to the Northern Fells and Derwent Water from Latrigg Fell in the Lake District 🌿 #inkdrawing #fountainpen #penandink #drawing #lakedistrict

Here’s my take on “A Wrinkle in Time” for the Penguin House cover art competition. Exploring the space where fantasy, sci-fi, and physics meet. An incredible book, which I highly recommend. I will share more behind the scenes and process later. #PRHDesignAward #coverart #kidlitart

So much fun bringing this middle grade book cover to life. The historical costumes were a fun challenge. I tried to give them a modern twist. I’d really like to wear her jacket! Would you be interested in seeing the process? #illustration #kidlit #bookart #kidlitart #coverart

One of my favorite tricks for using #oilpastel #illustration #kidlitart

Happy #kidlitartpostcard day! I'm an illustrator/author from OKC. I love to use humor, heart, color, and texture when I tell stories. I'm SO happy to say that I am represented by Lori Steel @steelworksliterary.bsky.social ! #kidlitart #kidlitartpostcardday #kidlitillustration #illustratorauthor

Feels like -17 °C ?!

Hope everyone’s had a great start to the new year! I’ve been chipping away at this chapter book illustration on and off for a while now, and it feels good to finally share it. #illustration #kidlit #bookart #kidlitartpostcard #kidlitart

This is my last post for the year 2025! Thank you to everyone who supported me. I’m looking forward to next year! #artvsartist2025 #artvsartist #illustrator #kidlit #kidlitart

The year is racing to an end. With the rush before the holidays, this watercolour piece of a castle nestled between mountains will hopefully give a breath of calm. Today is my last work-packed day before I travel to my family tomorrow. Are you spending the holidays at home or travelling?

The first Christmas wreaths are believed to have been used by Lutherans in Germany in the 16th century. The first recorded wreaths were decorative elements, often jewellery or diadems, used by the Etruscans, ancient Greeks, Romans, and other groups in southern Europe.

Here’s a peek at my current WIP. I'm using a lightbox to transfer my sketch onto watercolour paper. Next step colour and inking! #bookillistration #bookart #illustration #kidlitart #kidlit #sketch #watercolors #watercolours #process #wip

Happy #KidLitArtPostcard Day! My name is Merle Grimm. I’m a passionate illustrator who loves working with both traditional and digital mediums. This year I’d love a snowy white Christmas! The last couple of years it’s been rain and slush, but who knows? Maybe I’ll get lucky!

For those who love #Kidlit and #science! NSTA (the National Science Teachers Association) has just released their outstanding books list—congrats to all who worked to create these amazing books. www.nsta.org/outstanding-...

Hold on tight! These two brave kids leap into adventure, but can they escape the villain’s grasp? Growing up I loved books filled with action and mystery. My all-time favorite was The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman. What about you? What books kept you on the edge of your seat?

Happy #blackcatday; a day to awareness of black cats in need of homes and support. Superstition still makes these adorable furry friends more likely to be homeless and or abused. Which makes me so sad, especially as a cat mum to 2 adopted beautiful black cats of my own. #blackcat #blackcats #kidlit

Hi there! Happy KidLitPostcardDay! My name is Merle Grimm. I’m a passionate illustrator who loves working with both traditional and digital mediums. #kidlitartpostcard #illustration #kidlitart #kidlit #childrensbook #childrenbooks #kidlitartpostcard

Have a fabulous Halloween 🎃 #halloween #illustration #kidlitart #kidlit #childrensbook #spooky #ink

One more day to go! Potions are being brewed, brooms are polished, and familiars are finally getting their long-overdue baths. What are your Halloween preparations? #halloween #illustration #kidlitart #kidlit #childrensbook #science #witch #halloweenart #spooky #magic

Halloween is just one week away, and these young witches are hard at work brewing up the chemistry skills! 🧪Even magic needs a little science! #halloween #illustration #kidlitart #kidlit #childrensbook #science #witch

Hi there! Happy KidLitPostcardDay! My name is Merle Grimm. I’m a passionate illustrator who loves working with both traditional and digital mediums. When I’m not creating, you’ll probably find me with my nose buried in a book.

Recently finished this cover art for an imagined nonfiction book. I ended up going with the red and yellow, but I also loved the earlier blue and cream version - it looks so elegant. Which colour palette would you have picked? With a background in STEM, I love showing the beauty of science.

Have you met a fox spirit before? In East Asian folklore, the 𝙝𝙪𝙭𝙞𝙖𝙣 is a magical 9 tailed fox that can shapeshift—most often into a beautiful woman. I’ve never drawn purple trees - I kind of love it. What do you think? #illustration #kidlitart #kidlit #childrensbook #folklore #fairytale

A book, a tree, and an unexpected reading buddy. It felt so great working with traditional art again! I used watercolour and watercolour pencils for those swirly textures. What are your fav mediums to work with? #illustration #kidlitart #kidlit #childrensbook #watercolor #watercolour #natureart

Happy #KidLitPostCard Day! My name is Merle Grimm. I illustrate children’s books, chapter books, and nonfiction—especially science books, thanks to my background in molecular biology and chemistry. #illustration #kidlitart #kidlit #childrensbook #childrenbooks #scienceart

Study of an octopus. Fun fact: Octopuses have three hearts and they change colours while they dream. #grimms_illustrations #kidlit #bookillustration #blackandwhite #kidlitart #bookart #scienceart #octopus

This watercolour gave me a hard time—seriously, the paper started flaking! I almost ditched it, but figured it was a chance to experiment. Ended up being worth it. #illustration #kidlitart #kidlit #childrensbook #watercolour #watercolor #castle

A quick recap of the Bologna Children’s Book Fair. I had an amazing time meeting old and new friends, publishers and experts in the industry and of course fresh ravioli! #bcbf #bologna #kidlit #illustrator #bookillustration

Day 1 at the Bologna Children’s Bookfair. I had a great time, and met a lot of incredible people. My feet complained at the end of the day, but I'm ready to do it all over again today! #bcbf #illustration #bcbf25 #kidlit #childrensbooks

Currently at the airport. Next stop Bologna! This will be my first time and I am giddy with excitement. I cannot wait to meet fellow illustrators and publishers from the industry. #bcbf #bcbf25 #kidlitart #illustration #childrenillustration #bookillustration #bolognachildrensbookfair

Ready for summer! #grimms_illustrations #kidlit #kidlitart #picturebook #childrenillustration #illustration #bookart #pool #summerfeeling

Researching dragons. Thinking of weight, proportions, etc. During the research, I’ve been looking at the feet of different species, particularly of fast runners. Never have I seen a body part more horrifying than ostrich feet. You have been warned. #illustration #dragon #kidlit

I almost forgot to post, before running outside to replenish my vitamin D supply! I loved working on the vegetation, adding small details such as different types of mushrooms! #grimms_illustrations #kidlit #bookillustration #blackandwhite #picturebook #kidlitart #bookart #kidlitillustration

I spent many years of my childhood in Hong Kong and sometimes I get a bit nostalgic. Popo is Cantonese for grandmother. #kidlit #kidlitart #picturebook #childrenillustration #kidlitillustration #illustration #bookart #hongkong #wetmarket

Hello Bluesky! My name is Merle Grimm. I am a children’s book illustrator. Storytelling is my passion. In my free time, you’ll find me painting or curled up with a good book. I moved around a lot as a kid, and now live in Germany. #illustrator #kidlit #childrensbook #kidlitart #bookart