20 Beautiful Children’s Book Cover Illustrations

By Tara Hornor. in Artwork. Updated on August 6, 2022.

We all have a special place in our hearts for children’s books. When we were young, they stirred our imagination and calmed us before we slept. Most of us can still remember many of the books from our childhood, and, if you’re like me, the front cover of most of them as well.

This is the difficulty of designing a book cover: the illustration needs to be a preview of the story and also appealing enough to entice readers to open the book. The style of the illustration, the colors, and the font all have to be carefully chosen and laid out. Illustrators of children’s books also have to keep in mind what designs will appeal to a young audience.

The following collection of up-and-coming children’s books showcases some of the best and newest book illustrations available. All are brilliantly designed with the audience and story in mind. Some are quite colorful, others are cute, and a few are elegant, but all are awesome regardless of the style.

So take a peek at what children could like, get inspired, and maybe visit the websites to see more about these new releases of children’s books.

Breadcrumbs

This beautiful illustration is perfectly intriguing, with a girl alone trudging through the snowy woods with wolves in the distance. The glowing snowflakes add a magical air to the illustration.

Written by Anne Ursu. Illustrated by Erin McGuire.

Yummy: Eight Favorite Fairy Tales

The illustration style and the image itself appropriately match the title of this book and give insight as to just how clever the retelling of popular fairy tales may be.

Written and illustrated by Lucy Cousins.

Fairly Fairy Tales

The characters in this illustration are adorable enough that some may buy this book simply to see more cute illustrations inside. The disco ball and the love triangle between Goldilocks, Baby Bear, and Little Red Riding Hood really makes one wonder about the hilarities the book contains.

Written by Esme Raji Codell. Illustrated by Elisa Chavarri.

The Secret Live of Princesses

Dautremer ingeniously illustrated an outward appearance of boredom and civility (the look on the character’s face is brilliant, and the butterflies are quite charming) combined with hidden secrets of passion (her hair is in the shape of a cage with one door hanging open and the monochromatic color scheme is passionate shades of red).

Written by Philippe lechermeier. Illustrated by Rebecca Dautremer.

Chicken Cheeks

This book clearly demonstrates the pun on the title, giving us a hint that this book is sure to be full of humor.

Written by Michael Ian Black. Illustrated by Kevin Hawkes.

A Million Miles from Boston

Who doesn’t love a good book about a kid and her dog? This beautiful illustration also hints at a bit of adventure amongst the serenity.

Written and illustrated by Karen Day.

Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes

This book with bold, primary colors is clearly meant for a young audience. The youthful illustration of a cat in white boots and the wobbly font adds to this style very well.

Written by Eric Litwin. Illustrated by James Dean.

Gregor Mendel: The Friar Who Grew Peas

Not only is this illustration beautiful, but it is clever as well. Did you notice the numbers on the bags of seeds?

Written by Cheryl Bardoe. Illustrated by Jas. A. Smith.

Big Brothers Don’t Take Naps

The colors are light and uplifting and the illustration itself is very happy on this book cover, which gives us a strong hint that this book will be quite fun for young children to read.

Written by Louise Borden. Illustrated by Emma Dodd.

Sidekicks

What a clever illustration! The dog in the center of this action shot makes us wonder if he is a main hero or just another sidekick. Yet, the title itself is “Sidekicks” so is the story about four sidekicks or a hero and three sidekicks? Anyway, it looks epic!

Written and illustrated by Dan Santat.

Bad Island

This abstract illustration uses dark colors, excellent shading, and just the right amount of the spoiler with the island in a shape of a head with eyes.

Written and illustrated by Doug Tennapel.

Three Hens and a Peacock

The looks on the faces of these chickens alone is enough to let us know that this story has to be humorous. The vivid colors are perfectly eye-catching, and the details of the feathers are beautiful.

Written by Lester Laminack. Illustrated by Henry Cole.

The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making

The classic style of illustration, complete with an oval-shaped image and Medieval font and banner, fits perfectly with the fairyland part of the title. The dragon in chains and girl holding a key behind her back gives us a good preview of the “in a ship of her own making” part of the title.

Written by Catherynne M. Valente. Illustrated by Ana Juan.

Mal and Chad: The Biggest, Bestest Time Ever!

This illustration of a “best of” comic strip collection stays in line with the style of this comic strip. The action-packed graphics, as well as the stunning faces of the characters, are very eye-catching.

Written and illustrated by Stephen McCranie.

Super Amoeba

The color scheme of this comic book cover perfectly matches the theme of this comic strip. The dripping graphic around the “No. 1” and the font with an amoeba for the “i” letter are extra brilliant touches.

Written and illustrated by Jennifer L. Holm and Matthew Holm.