Jem is CLOSED to queries

Cover illustration of AT THE COOKOUT, a picture book written and illustrated by Nadia Fisher. It shows a young Black girl in the center with her grandmother and some cousins in the background. There’s an uncle on the grill on the back patio.

I’m SO excited to share the cover for AT THE COOKOUT, my author-illustrator debut, coming April 7, 2026!

tinyurl.com/At-the-Cookout

You can get a behind the scenes look at the cover process and more info about how this story came to be on my Substack (in thread).

#kidlit #booksky
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2025 illustrator lookbook

We're delighted to finally show off a project we've been working on for many months, our updated & expanded Illustrator Lookbook

Scroll through these gorgeous pages to see the work of 100+ of the very talented artists we rep who are currently open to illustration opportunities.
(cover: Cornelia Li)

A crossword puzzle with 38 numbered clues on a black background

Across Clues: 2. A constant in Chidera Edwards's life, featured in a title that received a starred review from Kirkus. 5. You can learn about Living Bridges in this village in an SLJ-starred title 9. With 4-Down, a quality of the international community mentioned in a Booklist starred review of a 2025 Debbie Levy title. 11. With 20-Across and 35-Across, a mirthful quality of an Angleberger title, according to an SLJ star. 12. An adjective used by Kirkus in a starred review of an Amy Novesky title. 14. Current number of starred reviews as of July 1, 2025 for A BOOK OF MAPS FOR YOU 15. A member of the Manning family, whose story received a star from Booklist (with 33-Down) 16. A recent PW-starred adult title features an empire governed by four mystical forces: rising, falling, flow, and ____ 17. A title illustrated by Elke Boschinger that received a star from PW (4 words) 19. Author of a title an LJ starred review said has "lovely illustrations" and "beautiful prose" 20. With 11-Across and 35-Across, a mirthful quality of an Angleberger title, according to an SLJ star. 21. According to an SLJ starred review, these, by Leah Giles, "almost tell the story alone" 23. A DANGEROUS IDEA, which has received four starred reviews so far, covers this trial 24. Author of another book on this crossword, along with the twice-starred title represented by this acronym: NTIEUH 27. Booklist noted a starred graphic novel by Askel Aden is "______ in golden hues" 30. THE ___ OF THE GREAT BUFFALO 32. A 14-year-old whose family hosts magical parties in a middle grade title with a star from Kirkus. 34. Eddie's going to see Grandpa and Grandma High Elk on this Reservation in a starred title illustrated by Steph Littlebird 35. With 11-Across and 20-Across, a mirthful quality of an Angleberger title, according to an SLJ star. 36. What the main character seems to be doing on the cover of and an adjective used by Shelf Awareness to describe a new Natalie C. Parker YA 37. A double-starred middle

Down Clues: 1. A Martha Brockenbrough title talks about Saharan Dust and an "often-overlooked natural ______" according to an SLJ starred review. 3. The artist featured in the quadruple-starred A LINE CAN GO ANYWHERE 4. With 9-Across, a quality of the international community mentioned in a Booklist starred review of a 2025 Debbie Levy title. 6. Xia and Gloria star in a YA title a starred Kirkus review called "palpably ____" 7. A tendency talked about in a PW-starred review 8. A double-starred middle grade debut _____ & _____ (with 37-across) 10. Adjective used in a Kirkus starred review to describe OLD BLUE IS MY HOME 13. The SLJ starred review for a 2025 Ann Liang title says this trope is used creatively (2 words) 17. This little wagon has not only a starred review, but also a big heart 18. "Don't Lose Mr. Cuddles" is one piece of advice Chip might give you, using this type of humor according to an SLJ-starred review. 22. What is it about? (Ask Don Brown or a starred Kirkus review) 25. A Lori Alexander title with three starred reviews centers this scientist 26. A thrice-starred Messner title has something to do with these 46 peaks 28. "The young narrator lives in a house by the sea with a cat and with Baba and Mama" in this Kirkus-starred title. 29. A School Library Journal starred review called Athlete is Agender high interest, this, and hopeful 31. The country Gigi Griffis's starred YA title takes place in 33. A member of the Manning family, whose story received a star from Booklist (with 15-Across)

We've been seeing stars...so many that they miraculously formed themselves into a crossword puzzle! Over 30 titles with over 50 total starred reviews over 6 months (books released between 1/1 and 6/30 of 2025), with too many positive adjectives to possibly count.

Check out the full puzzle here

a young girl skips in the rain with an umbrella shaped like a lemon

a young child sits in a throne with a crown while a lion lounges on the top of the back of the chair

a baby sleeps in a bassinet while an adult looks on adoringly

a bunny tries to cross a bridge that wooden panels are falling off of

🎨 Spotlight on @carliannecreates.bsky.social

Carlianne's Illustrator Page

Carlianne is represented by @jemiscoe.bsky.social. She is open to picture books, black and white interiors, young graphic novels, and nonfiction.

a comic snippet with three panels--the first panel is a shadowy figure asking "agent sykes?" on the phone, the second an older female presenting person saying "WHO IS THIS?" and then the third with two muscular people in teal bodysuits, one trying to swing a sword at the older person, who dodges as the phone says "we are calling you back in"

three kids watch something on an ipad next to and on the bed while red eyes stare at them from under the bed

a mammoth sneezes in the first frame of a comic, and beneath it two kids and an animal run away, the closest saying "aughh! a mammoth!!" the middle saying "daahhh! mammoth!!" and the animal saying "ahh!!! it's sneezed in my fur! Gross!"

a young witch flies on a broomstick with their cat, a ghost and several bats are in the background

🎨Spotlight on @lucaselliottart.bsky.social

Lucas's Illustrator Page

Lucas is represented by @jemiscoe.bsky.social . He is open to picture books, black and white interiors, and graphic novels.

Big news! I'm happy to share that I've accepted the offer from Jemiscoe Chambers-Black @jemiscoe.bsky.social to join Andrea Brown Literary Agency @andreabrownlit.bsky.social 🎉 Delighted to have Jem as my new agent! Looking forward to all the book illustrations we'll be working on together

Happy day late #kidlitartpostcard
We are traveling in Iceland and I haven't bothered with a calendar.
I'm interested in illustrating early readers, picture book, chapter books, middle grade.

A little comic of my travels 😊
@jemiscoe.bsky.social @andreabrownlit.bsky.social

Hello #kidlitartpostcard day!

Currently I’m working on the awesome GN, Spy Grandma, with the amazing @celinafrenn.bsky.social, which comes out next year!

In addition to graphic novels, I’d love to work on covers, CB’s and PB’s! Rep’d by @jemiscoe.bsky.social @andreabrownlit.bsky.social

Two whales swimming just under the surface of the water - turquoise and dark blue with the sun shining from the right. A yellow kayak with two people paddling. Stars coming from the left.

It's #KidLitArtPostCard day! Hi, I'm Crystal Smith. I love nature & neon—bright colors and bold worlds.
Rep'd by @jemiscoe.bsky.social

Portfolio: www.heycrystalsmith.com

#kidlitart #kidlitillustrator #kidlitpostcard #kidlitillustration #picturebooks #cankidlit

Happy #KidLitArtPostcard day!!

I'm August and I'd love to work on more cover art. I especially love drawing cool main characters!! 😄

Rep'd by @jemiscoe.bsky.social at @andreabrownlit.bsky.social 🙆

082km.weebly.com

Happy #kidlitartpostcard day!
I’m Yusuke Watanabe, a Japanese author/illustrator who loves whimsical stories and mixed media like watercolor & colored pencil. Available for picture books, board books & covers!

More at yusukewatanabe.com
Rep’d by @jemiscoe.bsky.social @andreabrownlit.bsky.social

Hi. Sure.

Purple prickly pear cactus in the desert with lots of purples. Red desert hills in the background, tall saguaro in the middle-ground.

It's #KidLitArtPostCard day! Hi, I'm Crystal Smith. I love nature & neon—bright colors and bold worlds.
Rep'd by @jemiscoe.bsky.social
Portfolio: www.heycrystalsmith.com

#kidlitart #kidlitillustrator #kidlitpostcard #kidlitillustration #picturebooks #cankidlit

ENCHANTED TO MEET YOU is publishing in the US with Harper Teen ☺️🥳 so exited to share it with more readers @jemiscoe.bsky.social

🌟Don’t sleep on this unique opportunity for a TWO HOUR virtual picture book group critique! Dare I call it a PB master critique with my agency sis, Kelly Sonnack! Please bid and help us fund 1 more year of fellowship and mentorship to future publishing individuals within Literary Agents of Change!🌟

Overjoyed that THE FIG TREE is officially out in the world! I feel honoured to have worked on this heartbreakingly beautiful story by @costantia.bsky.social @mackidsbooks.bsky.social
Thank you everyone who worked on this thoughtful and touching story!
As always, thank you @jemiscoe.bsky.social

✨DEAL ANNOUNCEMENT✨

I'm excited to announce my next author-illustrator picture book, LION DANCER'S LOST LETTUCE!🥬 (🧵 )

🎨 Spotlight on @laancham.bsky.social

Laan's Illustrator Page

Laan is repped by @jemiscoe.bsky.social and is interested in illustrating picture books, graphic novels, black and white interiors, and covers.

Discover Incredible Artists in Your Inbox Nearly Every Week

Canva-created image post shows a review from Publishers Weekly for ZOMBIE AND BRAIN ARE FRIENDS. Review text in a pink box reads:" Lucianovic peppers her variation on the “Can I keep it?” genre with sly humor—Zeb attempts to lure Brian back home by crinkling “the Zombie Times’s toughest crosswords”—while Cham’s depictions of offbeat locavore culture are sweetly ghoulish." Next to the cover of the picture book is the text "In Stores September 2nd."

Thank you for this amazing review, @publisherswkly.bsky.social!

@laancham.bsky.social @literaticat.bsky.social @jemiscoe.bsky.social @alexborbolla.bsky.social @bloomsburybooksus.bsky.social

a class of 10 kids sit on stairs in their graduation caps and gowns.

a young Black girl relaxes in her swim suit and cap on a floating donut in the pool

a young Black girl in her gymnastics outfit stands next to an older Black girl, both have medals on

an older Black woman hugs two Black children, they all have content smiles on their faces

🎨 Spotlight on @ariadelsole.bsky.social

Nadia's Illustrator Page

Nadia is repped by @jemiscoe.bsky.social and is interested in illustrating picture books, young graphic novels, black and white interiors, covers, and nonfiction.

Discover Incredible Artists in Your Inbox Nearly Every Week

Seals and jellyfish swim under the ocean while a kayak floats above. Turquoise digital illustration for Maybe A Whale.

Hi! I'm Crystal & I love to illustrate bright, adventurous picture books, covers, and more! Looking forward to lots more fantastic projects 🥰

Rep'd by @jemiscoe.bsky.social at ABLA

#kidlitartpostcard #kidlitart #kidlitartpostcardday #kidlit #kidlitpostcard #picturebooks #cankidlit

🌈 Happy #KidlitArtPostcardDay & Pride month!

I would love to keep illustrating heartfelt, diverse, & empowering picture books, chapter books, and MG/YA covers--especially stories w queer/BIPOC joy!

💜Proudly rep'ed by @jemiscoe.bsky.social at @andreabrownlit.bsky.social
💻 www.michellejingchan.com

Happy #kidlitartpostcard day!

I'm Marietta Apollonio, author & illustrator of #kidlit books.

Interested in working on CB, MG covers, comic/graphic novel, PB, & early readers.

I work in both digital & traditional media

@andreabrownlit.bsky.social @jemiscoe.bsky.social

It’s #kidlitartpostcard day! 🐈‍⬛
Hello art directors and editors! My name is Yara, I’m a freelance illustrator interested in picture books and cover work! I love textures, weird animals and warm colors

I’m rep’d by @jemiscoe.bsky.social at @andreabrownlit.bsky.social

Portfolio: odnatamyara.com ✨

It’s #kidlitpostcard day! 🐈‍⬛
Hello art directors and editors! My name is Yara, I’m a freelance illustrator interested in picture books and cover work! I love textures, weird animals and warm colors

I’m represented by @jemiscoe.bsky.social at @andreabrownlit.bsky.social

Portfolio: odnatamyara.com ✨

Hello #kidlitartpostcard day! I am Yusuke Watanabe, a Japanese illustrator. The rainy season is coming soon in Japan, it's called Tsuyu (梅雨). A perfect inspiration for illustrations!

More at yusukewatanabe.com
Rep’d by @jemiscoe.bsky.social @andreabrownlit.bsky.social

#kidlitart

Hiya, #writingcommunity, my agency sis, agent Paige Terlip, is teaching an Art of Revision intensive! If interested, please click on the link below.

#writers #authors #revisions #booksky

Can't wait to chat!

That's great to know since I'm new to MA and don't yet know what to expect. Thank you for sharing that!

I'm excited to join Manuscript Academy, meet writers, and chat about craft!!!