The Rainbow Stories
Beautiful Children's Illustrations for Every Story
Bring your ideas to life with colorful Kid illustrations.
Let’s Illustrate Your Story
Custom Book Illustrations Made Just for Kids
We create personalized baby books with custom illustrations kids love.
Get Custom Illustrations Now
Best Illustration Services for Baby & Kids' Books
Trusted illustration services for the best children’s book designs.
Create Your Book Today

A Children's Book Illustrator for Your Manuscript

The Magic of Storytelling
The Rainbow Stories mascot, a cartoon puppy flying with a rainbow trail

We are a children’s book illustration studio working with self-publishing authors, independent publishers and educators worldwide: across the US, Canada, the UK, Australia and Europe. Picture books, early readers and chapter books for children aged 2 to 12, with characters, interiors, covers and print-ready files for Amazon KDP and IngramSpark. Every illustration is drawn by hand. None of it is generated by AI.

Our founder and lead illustrator, Amna Zaki, has illustrated more than 100 children’s books over seven years, and holds Top Rated Plus status on Upwork with a 100% Job Success Score. Our other illustrators each bring five or more years of children’s book experience.

If you are ready to start, here is exactly what hiring a children’s book illustrator involves: the five stages, how long a picture book takes and what moves the price.

SERVICES

Five services, all pointed at the same job: turning a finished manuscript into a printed children’s book. Character casts and turnarounds, storyboards that map the story page by page, full-spread and spot illustrations, covers, and print-ready files for Amazon KDP and IngramSpark.

Children’s book spread illustrated from an author’s manuscript by The Rainbow Stories

Script to Illustration

Character design sheet showing expressions and poses for a children’s book character

Character Design

Personalised children’s storybook featuring the child as the main character

Custom Storybooks

Storyboard planning the page-by-page layout of a children’s picture book

Story Boarding

Children’s book cover design showing front, spine and back artwork

Book Covers

View Our Services

Who we work with

If you have a manuscript, a series, or a list of titles to place, this is the part that matters.

  • First-time authors with a finished manuscript and no idea what happens next. Most of our clients start here.
  • Children’s book authors who have published before and want one illustrator who stays consistent across a series.
  • Independent publishers and book packagers placing several titles a year.
  • Educators and organisations making books for classrooms and reading programmes.

Why authors choose us

You own all of itCharacters, illustrations, layouts and source files are yours on delivery — to print, publish or license, with no usage limits and nothing held back.
One illustrator, start to finishYour book is assigned to a single illustrator from first sketch to final file, so your characters never change hands part way through a story.
Drawn by hand, never AIEvery line is drawn by a person. No part of your book is generated, and that is not a claim we have to hedge.
Print-ready, not just prettyFiles set up for Amazon KDP or IngramSpark — correct bleed, spine and resolution — so your book goes to print without a round of rejections.

What it costs

No two manuscripts need the same amount of work, so every book is quoted on its own rather than by the hour. What moves the figure: how many pages the book runs to, how many characters recur through the story, the split between full spreads, half pages and spot art, how detailed the backgrounds need to be, and whether you need print-ready files for Amazon KDP or IngramSpark.Send the manuscript and you will have a firm quote in writing, with the stages and what each one includes. It does not change once you accept it.
Request your quote

HOW IT WORKS

The Rainbow Stories process is designed to be easy, creative, and collaborative. We start by listening to your story and understanding your vision, then bring it to life through thoughtful illustrations rich in color, emotion, and detail.

Throughout the journey, your feedback shapes every step, ensuring the final artwork truly reflects your imagination. Once complete, your illustrations are carefully polished and delivered ready to delight and inspire young readers everywhere.

Children’s book spread illustrated from an author’s manuscript by The Rainbow Stories

Share Your Script

Submit your story and let us know your vision

DISCUSS YOUR VISION

Collaborate with our team to refine ideas and direction

WATCH THE MAGIC UNFOLD

See your story come to life with stunning illustrations

1

Share Your Story

Every great book starts with an idea!

2

Sketching the Magic

We sketch your characters to life

Illustration of an illustrator reviewing client feedback at a laptop
3

Feedback on the Sketches

Review the roughs — we’ll refine until they match your vision!

4

Bringing Colors to Life

We color it with emotion

Illustration of an illustrator reviewing client feedback at a laptop
5

One Last Look

Final tweaks on colour and detail, if you need them.

6

Ready to Inspire the World!

Print-ready files for KDP and IngramSpark, set to upload.

CATEGORIES

The Rainbow Stories categories are thoughtfully organized to showcase the wide range of illustration styles we offer. From early sketching and storyboarding to magical fantasy worlds, family illustrations, character design, animals, and animation-ready artwork, each category tells its own visual story.

Our collections are designed to help you easily discover the illustration style that best matches your vision. Every piece is crafted to spark imagination, emotion, and joy for young readers.

Character sketch sheet for a children’s book showing Lumi in several poses alongside a flamingo character

Sketching & Storyboarding

Children’s book spread of a yellow school bus pulling up while a small cat waits at the kerb with a rose

School & Classroom Illustrations

Children’s book cover illustration of a girl in a witch costume carrying a pumpkin under a full moon

Fantasy Illustrations

Children's book illustration of a family with four children in a flower meadow

Family Illustrations

Character design for a children’s book showing a girl with plaits in a pink dress standing on the grass

Character Design Illustrations

Children’s book spread of a campfire by the trees at night as a bear rides a glowing wave beneath a full moon

Animation Illustrations

Children’s book spread of a forest hung with Lost posters, a bear in a scarf standing among them

Animal Illustrations

Character expression sheet for a children’s book showing a girl in a gold crown in a dozen poses

African American Illustrations

View Our Portfolio

Our ILLUSTRATORS

Our Illustrators are the heart of every magical story we create. Each artist brings a unique style, imagination, and love for children storytelling turning simple ideas into colorful worlds filled with emotion and life.

From expressive characters to playful scenes, our illustrators carefully design visuals that connect with young readers and make stories unforgettable. Whether you need charming character designs or full book illustrations, our creative team ensures every page feels joyful, meaningful, and perfectly crafted for children.

Illustrated portrait of Amna Zaki, founder and lead illustrator at The Rainbow Stories

AMNA ZAKI

Founder and lead illustrator. More than 100 children’s books over seven years, and Top Rated Plus on Upwork with a 100% Job Success Score. Her portfolio runs the widest of the three — animal casts, fantasy scenes, family stories, storyboards and covers — and she leads every project from first sketch to print-ready files.
Ayesha, illustrator at The Rainbow Stories

AYESHA

Five years illustrating children’s books. Character work is the bulk of her portfolio — casts, turnarounds and expression sheets — with a strong run of fantasy scenes alongside it. She works up rough sketches for approval first, so the cast is agreed before a single page is painted.
Noor, illustrator at The Rainbow Stories

NOOR

Five years illustrating children’s books, and more besides: cartoons, packaging, stickers and puzzles. Covers make up a larger share of her portfolio than anyone else’s on the team, alongside animal characters and storyboards. She settles the colour palette early and revises against the story rather than the style.
Our Amazing Team

Our Happy Customer

Satisfied Clients
80 +
Talented Creators
6 +
Happy Readers
5000 +

Testimonial

Illustrator profile placeholder avatar
Rebecca Self-Published Author

"From rough sketches to final artwork, the communication was clear and professional. My story came to life in ways I never imagined. The kids who read it keep pointing at every little detail!"

Illustrator profile placeholder avatar
Mike Children's Book Author

"Absolutely blown away by the illustrations! Each page felt alive, with vibrant colors and expressive characters. The artist perfectly captured the whimsical tone I envisioned. Can’t wait to work together again!"

Illustrator profile placeholder avatar
Zaikyah Nelson Primary School Teacher

"A fantastic experience! The illustrator understood the educational context and added delightful visuals that kept children engaged. Delivered on time and exceeded expectations."

Illustrator profile placeholder avatar
Jake Children Custom Books

"I was nervous being a first-timer, but they made the process so easy. They were patient with my feedback and brought so much heart to the artwork. Everyone comments on how beautiful the book looks!"

Latest Blogs

Our blog content shares insights, creative tips, and illustration tools for authors and illustrators.

Character Development in Children’s Books: What Illustrators Need From Your Manuscript

Learn more

create personalized children’s book with custom illustrations for my kid

Learn more
Children’s Book Color Palette: How to Choose the Right Colors for Your Story
20Jan

Children’s Book Color Palette: How to Choose the Right Colors for Your Story

Learn more

Bring Your Story to Life Today!

Subscribe for exclusive storytelling tips & updates!

Need to Know? We’ve Got You!

We offer a full range of illustration services for children's books, including custom character design, storyboarding, full-page illustrations and cover design. Whether you need a single illustrator for your children's book or complete children's book illustration services, we've got you covered from concept to final print!

We specialize in custom illustrations for children’s books—ranging from whimsical characters to dreamy landscapes and everything in between.

Getting started is easy! Simply send us your manuscript or story idea, and we’ll guide you through the process. Whether you're looking for custom book illustrations for kids, need a full illustrator for your children’s book, or want help bringing your characters to life—we're here to help.

We follow a step-by-step process: manuscript review, sketching, coloring, final rendering, and delivery—all with your feedback and approval at every stage.