Beyond Borders 2026 Illustrator Job Description - Children’s Book Illustrator

Sep 13, 2026

Upload by Gloria

Illustrator recruitment for the 2026 Beyond Borders bilingual children’s book series, created through Shout Mouse Press in partnership with LAYC. Twelve to fifteen immigrant teens develop bilingual picture-book manuscripts through weekly workshops, while selected artists are mentored by SMP’s Art Director and produce color cover art plus up to twenty color illustrations. Work supports immigrant stories and identity through authentic, accessible storytelling and an inclusive next generation. Applicants are assessed on narrative illustration experience, digital editing skills, and collaboration readiness across on-site and remote timelines.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryLetters

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time1 min

AccessFree to download

Opportunity Overview

Project Details and Deliverables

Qualifications

Artistic and Collaboration Skills

Tools and Workflow

Timeline and Visits

On-Site Schedule

Remote Illustration Schedule

Compensation and Application

Seeking Children’s Book Illustrator About Shout Mouse Press: Shout Mouse Press ([www.ShoutMousePress.org](www.ShoutMousePress.org)) is a writing and publishing program dedicated to amplifying underheard voices. We coach writers from marginalized communities to tell their own stories in their own voices and, as published authors, to act as agents of change. Shout Mouse authors have produced original children’s books, novels, comics, and memoir and poetry collections that engage reluctant readers as well as open hearts and minds. Thus far we have produced 50+ books by Black, Latinx, Muslim, immigrant, low-income, and otherwise marginalized youth in DC and Haiti. See all books here: [shoutmousepress.org/catalog](shoutmousepress.org/catalog) Opportunity: We are seeking illustrators for our 2026 series of Beyond Borders bilingual children’s books. In partnership with LAYC, we coach 12-15 immigrant teens to develop bilingual picture books for children, inspired by their own lived experiences. These books will center immigrants’ stories and identities – voices that are often marginalized, unheard, and undervalued. The mission of the series is to create diverse, authentic, accessible books that affirm immigrant children, increase understanding of immigrant perspectives, and foster an inclusive next generation. This will be the project’s third year; the series currently contains seven successful children’s books. Youth from Latin American Youth Center ( LAYC) will participate in weekly after-school workshops to learn principles of effective storytelling, examine representation in children’s books, and write their own manuscripts. The artists will be mentored by SMP’s Art Director. Books are generally ~40 pages long and require color cover + up to 20 color full-page or spot illustrations. Previous illustrators have spent an average of 100 hours total on this project. Qualifications: ● Investment in mission and history of engagement in social justice, minority rights, diversity initiatives ● Skilled artist in digital and/or traditional media, ● Prior narrative illustration / storyboarding experience ● Skilled and professional communicator and collaborator, both with project leader and with teen authors, ● Ability to draw characters from varying ethnicities as well as imaginary creatures, ● Ability to edit images digitally as needed via Adobe creative suite ● Ability to upload/scan high-quality JPEG files in DropBox ● Ability to work independently, take initiative, and meet all required deadlines ● Ability to join workshop and collaborate with authors on-site in Washington DC for one day and virtually for two days. ● Preferred: Fluent in Spanish We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Shout Mouse is committed to building a culturally diverse team and to providing professional development opportunities for the next generation of diverse artists and writers. We strongly encourage applicants who are people of color, LGBTQ+ , disabled, and/or members of otherwise marginalized groups. Timeline: March 15-September 1 Synchronous / On-Site: The project requires 2 on-site visits on March 31 and April 2 in Washington, DC to meet authors and to sketch characters + create basic storyboard. These visits will take place on Tuesday and Thursday from 4-6pm. Asynchronous / Off-Site: All other illustration work can be completed from home according to the following schedule: ~ 2 weeks for sketches~ 6 weeks for color art ~ 2 weeks for final revisions Compensation: This opportunity is part-service, part-compensation. Our goals: ● We want to give aspiring illustrators the opportunity to have their work published and distributed in order to build profession

FAQs

What illustration work is required for the Beyond Borders 2026 series?

Illustrators create a color cover plus up to 20 color full-page or spot illustrations. The project also includes sketches/storyboard work during an initial on-site visit and digital edits as needed.

Who will the illustrators collaborate with and how are they supported?

Illustrators work with teen authors participating from LAYC through weekly after-school workshops. SMP’s Art Director mentors the artists, and illustrators collaborate with authors on-site and virtually during the project.

What is the project timeline and how much is on-site work?

The overall timeline runs March 15 to September 1. There are two on-site visits on March 31 and April 2 in Washington, DC, plus additional work completed remotely with a schedule for sketches, color art, and final revisions.

Sep 13, 2026

Upload by Gloria