Aleksandra Szmidt

Aleksandra Szmidt has created some beautiful children’s picture books worldwide.

Her work is charming - and whimsical - she has  an original feature of producing a magic mail club that she has created on her own  Instagram account which is very popular.

Children, animals... all beautifully brought to the page as fabulous  characters for any  children’s book.

If you are looking for a children’s book illustrator - working in crayons, watercolour and mixed media - check out

Aleksandra’s folder on our website.

Aleksandra Szmidt - Artist Partners

FRANCES CASTLE: WHERE THE TIDE LINES LEAD

Published by Little Tiger Books, Where the Tide Lines Lead is a YA mystery by Sophie Cameron, with a striking wraparound cover by Frances Castle.

Set off the sun-drenched yet shadow-filled Spanish coast, the story follows sixteen-year-old Elio and British tourist Sam as they're pulled into an underwater world of selkie-like creatures after a string of teenagers vanish without a trace. Frances's design spans front to back, capturing the moment where the world we know gives way to something stranger beneath the waves.

It's a cover that makes you feel the pull of the story before you've read a single word - and a striking showcase of Frances Castle’s range across atmosphere-driven illustration.

Frances Castle is represented by Arena Illustration.

ALEKSEI BITSKOFF: TALES OF THE COBB STREET COMMANDOS

Published this month by Faber, Tales of the Cobb Street Commandos is a fact-filled, funny wartime adventure written by Tony Bradman, with cover and internal illustrations by Aleksei Bitskoff.

Set in London's East End in 1941, the story follows Jimmy and his friends as they form a top-secret commando unit determined to do their bit for the war effort - training in abandoned warehouses, raising money for Spitfires, and even landing a daring mission to meet Winston Churchill himself.

Aleksei Bitskoff’s energetic line work and instinct for comic timing make the Commandos leap off the page, while his eye for historical detail gives the book its real sense of place and period. Known for his intricate, humorous style, his client list includes the bestselling Little Bad Man and Who Let the Gods Out series.

Aleksei Bitskoff is represented by Arena Illustration.

White Mountain – Carolina Rodriguez Fuenmayor

Carolina Rodriguez Fuenmayor illustrates her second book in Ruby Jean Cottle’s Black River duology, commissioned by Simon & Schuster through Atria Books.

KRISTYNA LITTEN’S BEARLOCK HOLMES DINOSAUR MYSTERY

Ivy and Bearlock Holmes: The Mystery of the Dinosaur Fossil, published by Magic Cat Publishing is the eagerly awaited second book in Kristyna's beloved series - this time taking young detectives somewhere altogether more prehistoric.

When a rare dinosaur fossil vanishes from Bearona's remote Jurassic Ridge, Ivy and her grandpa Bearlock face their trickiest case yet. The trail is packed with twists and hidden clues, all woven through with real facts about fossils, evolution and conservation. As with the first book in the series, the story is brought to life with 15 brain-boggling puzzles that invite readers to join the investigation themselves.

What makes Kristyna Litten’s work so special is her ability to blend gripping storytelling with genuine non-fiction content, all rendered in her signature richly detailed, full-colour illustration style. Based in Yorkshire, her work is instantly recognisable and her client list spans from children’s publishing into luxury product branding and television advertising.

Kristyna Litten is represented by Arena Illustration.

BILLY PARTRIDGE: HUPO AND THE DOOM LAGOON

Published this month by Flying Eye Books, Hupo and the Doom Lagoon is the thrilling sequel to Billy's debut graphic novel Hupo and the Wonder Thief, sending young readers back into the dreamlike world of Yip for another breathtaking adventure.

Hupo sets off across Yip in an airship, this time alongside the mysterious Zimmy, a peculiar companion who looks, sounds and smells just like him. Their destination is the Doom Lagoons, where fears can be buried beneath the water forever. But when centuries of trapped horrors are unleashed, it falls to Hupo and the suspicious Zimmy to save everyone - and Hupo must face his very worst fears of all.

With a style that carries echoes of Studio Ghibli, Billy Partridge’s digitally crafted worlds are ethereal, imaginative and full of heart. His exceptional talent for world-building and character creation makes his work a natural fit for publishing, animation and branding alike.

Billy Partridge is represented by Arena Illustration.

NILA AYE – HACHETTE

Written by the legendary poet Benjamin Zephaniah, this joyful book has been brought to life by Nila Aye’s enchanting illustrations. From playful characters to whimsical scenes, Nila's illustrations capture the heart of Zephaniah's words in the most magical way.

Nila Aye is represented by Meiklejohn

Kate Forrester’s Puffin Clothbound Classics

Kate has beautifully illustrated a wonderful series of Little Puffin Clothbound Classics. They are pocket sized and adorned with gold foil-stamped designs, making them the perfect collectible items for a young person’s own little library.

JAMES COTTELL/BUSTER BOOKS

James created this fantastic artwork for Where's the Pirate' the third book in this series.

"All aboard this pirate search-and-find book, packed full of fun pirate facts and friendly, colourful scenes showing treasure maps, gemstones, parrots, beaches, palm trees and much more. ..."

James has also illustrated , 'Where's the Dinosaur' and 'Where's the Digger'

James Cottell is represented by NB Illustration

GAIA ALESSI COVER ILLUSTRATION FOR WIDE EYE

Published by Pushkin Press this month, Gaia's cover and accompanying map bring Jennifer Liss's mystery-adventure to life, drawing readers into the world of ten-year-old Meridian as she hunts for a legendary lake monster while uncovering long-buried family secrets.

Gaia's bold wrap-around cover immerses readers in a sweeping landscape of rolling hills, mountains and a glimmering lake, with Meridian herself keeping watch for the ever-elusive Wide Eye. Alongside the cover, Gaia created an intricate map of Wide Eye Lake. The work was the result of a close collaboration between Gaia, the publisher and the author, with Jennifer Liss supplying photo reference and thoughtful feedback to ensure the world felt both authentic and richly imagined. The finished cover reads as a genuine extension of the story itself - atmospheric, inviting and full of quiet mystery.

Gaia Alessi is represented by Arena Illustration.