The SAA are very pleased to be supporting the World Illustration Awards by sponsoring The SAA Agents Award for New Talent.
publishing 
Myths of Japan showcases more of Katie’s beautiful signature illustration style, unifying this wonderfully collectable set of books from DK.
"I loved the stories I learnt about whilst working through this, so many stories about animal friends and nature spirits. There seems to be a theme of respecting nature that shines through these myths - a very important message!”
Becca Hall, represented by The Bright Agency, has a debut author/illustrated nonfiction book Epic Journeys: Ocean Voyagers. This epic book is out and we at Bright sat down with Becca to ask her all about what it was like writing her first book, how the process differed from previous projects, and where her passion for underwater migration came from.
What inspired you to create this book?
I’ve always been fascinated by animals and the incredible journeys they make. As a child, I loved filling my world with stories of animals, and I wanted to create the kind of book that would have completely captivated younger me. Migration combines adventure, science and storytelling in such an amazing and accessible way. These animals aren’t just travelling, they’re overcoming enormous challenges to survive, and passing all sorts of things on the way. I wanted children to feel that sense of wonder while also learning just how extraordinary our planet really is. As I am dyslexic, I also wanted to create beautifully illustrated, accessible non-fiction books that make learning easier and more engaging for every child.
Why migration?
Migration felt like the perfect theme because it’s something that connects so many completely different species. Whether it’s a humpback whale crossing oceans, a tiny sea turtle hatchling finding its way into the sea, or sharks travelling along ancient underwater highways, every journey has a purpose.
I also loved that migration naturally creates a story. Every chapter has a beginning, obstacles along the way, and an incredible destination, making it a really engaging way for children to learn about science and the natural world.
Tell us a little about your process. Where did you begin?
The research came first! I spent weeks researching facts, going to museums, watching documentaries, and reading articles to narrow down which migrations to include. Once I’d chosen the seven featured animals, I could then work out how each journey could be told visually.
Once I had my text and facts in place, I sketched rough page layouts, thinking about how readers’ eyes would travel across the spreads and how I could make each migration feel exciting and full of movement, while avoiding big blocks of text that can be off putting or difficult to process for dyslexic readers.
How has your environment helped to shape the book?
Living in Cornwall definitely influenced the way I approached Ocean Voyagers. Being surrounded by the sea reminds me every day that there’s a whole hidden world beneath the surface, with all sorts of creatures and their stories, and it’s so important we look after it. Walking along the coast and watching seabirds, waves and changing seasons helped inspire the sense of movement and scale that runs throughout the book.
I’ve also always loved spending time around nature, whether that’s by the coast or deep in land, and I think that appreciation for wildlife naturally finds its way into my illustrations.
What was your favourite part of creating this book?
It’s hard to pick a favourite part of creating this book because there were so many!
As I’d never written a non-fiction book before, I absolutely loved researching the facts, developing the ideas and planning how I could make this book feel different from others out there. Having the freedom to build something completely from scratch was SO much fun.
I also loved discovering all the incredible facts about animals and their migration journeys. At the end of almost every day, I’d end up telling my husband, Ben, all the amazing things I’d learnt! The fact that I was so excited about the words and the research before I’d even started illustrating felt really special. I hope children have those same “wow!” moments while reading the book.
I’ve also ALWAYS been a lover of the ocean and feel incredibly lucky to live on its doorstep. So getting to illustrate huge underwater scenes and all the amazing creatures that call it home was an absolute joy. I wanted every spread to feel like an adventure that readers could dive straight into.
Can you give us any teasers about the next book?
I’m so excited about this series as a whole!!
The next book, coming out in 2027, is called Land Roamers. This time, we’re following seven more of the world’s most incredible migrations… but on land!
Without giving too much away, you’ll meet everything from vast herds crossing the African plains to millions of bright red crabs taking over an entire island. There are icy adventures, dusty landscapes, dramatic river crossings and some of the biggest animal journeys on Earth.
If you enjoyed Ocean Voyagers, I think you’re going to LOVE exploring life on land too! And if you thought the ocean held some incredible migration stories… just wait until you see what’s happening on land!
Arena Illustration's Kristyna Litten returns alongside author Kathryn Cristaldi for the newest addition to their much-loved, bestselling I'll Love You Till the Cows Come Home series.
SCHOOL IS IN SESSION... in I’ll Love You Till The Sloths Start School, published by HarperCollins. But where are the sloths? This delightfully quirky lullaby follows a class of nocturnal animals - sloths, puppies and piglets among them, through a busy day of crafts, lunch and lessons, before it's finally time for the sloths to arrive for their own school adventure. It's the perfect read-aloud to reassure little ones just how much they're loved, even while they're away at school.
Kristyna's warm, whimsical and boisterous illustrations bring gentle humour and a message of inclusivity to every spread, making this a must-have for fans of the series. Kirkus Reviews called it "outstanding in its field," and it's easy to see why.
Kristyna Litten is represented by Arena Illustration.
We're excited to share that Arena Illustration's Adam Stower has a brand-new picture book out this month, published by HarperCollins! Little Acorn: A Long Way Down is a gorgeous story bursting with charm, humour and heart.
Way up high in the treetops sleeps a happy little acorn - until one day he falls to the forest floor with a THUMP! Dormouse, Bird and Squirrel invite him to dance, sing and play, but there's only one place Little Acorn wants to be: back in the treetops. With a hungry piglet on the loose, the way back isn't easy. Can his new friends help him find the courage to step out of his comfort zone?
This wonderfully funny and reassuring story about friendship is perfect for children facing new experiences, with forests, trees and nature at its heart. It's a beautiful showcase of Adam's imaginative artwork and his gift for exploring big feelings through gentle, playful storytelling.
Adam Stower is already well known and loved for his Murray and Bun series and Little Acorn is a wonderful addition to his growing body of work with HarperCollins.
Adam Stower is represented by Arena Illustration.
Florencia Rigiroli, who is represented by Phosphor, has been working on a fully illustrated book inspired by classic fairy tales, reinterpreted through a contemporary and symbolic visual language.
Romper el Hechizo, which translates to Break the Spell, explores the heroine’s journey across different stories, weaving together themes of transformation, inner strength and emotional growth. Classic fairy tales such as Cinderella and The Little Mermaid are reimagined by Graciela Caprarulo and illustrated in Florencia's signature style.
Florencia worked with FERA Design on the books. The visual development involved a comprehensive creative process, from early concept sketches and character exploration to color palette definition and final compositions. Each scene was carefully designed to build a cohesive universe, blending narrative storytelling with rich, ornamental details and a strong botanical influence.
Florencia's illustrations aim to evoke a timeless, magical atmosphere while maintaining a personal and expressive approach. Texture, colour and composition play a key role in guiding the reader’s emotional experience, creating immersive environments that support the narrative.
The project includes cover design, full spreads and a visual identity for the book, developed with attention to both artistic quality and editorial functionality.
Find more of Florencia's work in her portfolio and get in touch with Trina at Phosphor about commissioning her for your next project.
Hello Marine has created brand new cover art for a trio of Judy Blume’s classic young adult titles in her native French; giving them a fresh update in her contemporary and vibrant style. Trois Amies (the French translation of Just as Long as We're Together), the sequel, Tiens Bon, Rachel! (Here's to You, Rachel Robinson!) and lastly, Pour Toujours (Forever).
Tomislav Tomic's atmospheric illustrated map of the Isle of Sidhe features in Riftborne, the debut romantasy from Bree Grenwich and Parker Lennox, published by Penguin - and already an instant Sunday Times bestseller.
The map gives readers a fully realised view of Fia Riftborne's rebellion-scarred world before they've reached chapter one, its intricate detail is perfectly matched to the story's tone. It's the kind of artwork that doesn't just decorate a book, it deepens it, pulling you in from the very first page.
Map illustration is one of Tomislav Tomic’s real strengths: a rare ability to combine narrative richness with striking design, turning a navigational aid into a piece of storytelling in its own right. It's a skill he has brought to projects across fantasy and adventure fiction for many publishers, and Riftborne is a compelling new addition to that body of work.
Tomislav Tomic is represented by Arena Illustration.
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.
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.
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.