Hi, I’m Gaurav — a children’s book illustrator who has been exactly where you are.
Since 2014, I’ve illustrated more than 75 published children’s books and helped 100+ authors across the USA, Canada, Australia, the UK and India turn their manuscripts into books families can actually buy.
But the reason I understand first-time authors isn’t the 60 books I illustrated for others — it’s the one I wrote, illustrated, and self-published myself.
I know what it feels like to hold your own book — because I’ve done it.
I’m an illustrator, an author, and a self-publishing expert — in that order of how I learned them. I started illustrating children’s books in 2014, working with debut and independent authors who had wonderful stories and no idea how the publishing world worked. Book by book, I learned every step alongside them: character design, sketch approvals, trim sizes, Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, the lot.
Then I did the whole journey myself. I wrote, illustrated, and self-published my own book, Forever Friends Club, on Amazon. Standing on both sides of that process changed how I work: when I tell you your manuscript needs one more edit, or that a 32-page layout suits your story better, it’s not theory — it’s what I’d do with my own book.
Every illustration is hand-drawn. Every manuscript comes directly to me. No sales team, no hand-offs, no AI-generated shortcuts. You can verify all of it yourself — every book I’ve illustrated is live on Amazon with my name in the credits. Browse my full children’s book illustration portfolio here. And if you’re weighing up who to work with, I wrote an honest guide to hiring a children’s book illustrator — even if you don’t hire me.
Away from the drawing board, I’m a father — which means I read children’s books the way your readers will: aloud, at bedtime, with a tough audience who notices everything. That’s the standard your book will be held to, because it’s the standard that matters.
Three promises I make to every author.
You approve every sketch before color begins.
Every scene is pencil-sketched first and revised until it’s exactly right. Nothing moves forward without your yes — no surprises, no paying for artwork you didn’t approve.
Your characters stay consistent on every page.
Before a single scene is drawn, I build a character reference sheet you approve. Page 1 to page 32 — the same child, the same warmth, every time. It’s the difference between a book and a collection of images.
I stay with you until your book is live.
Cover design, Amazon KDP and IngramSpark formatting, listing setup — I personally guide first-time authors through every step until the book is published. Then you own 100% of the artwork, forever.
Now you know my story. I’d love to hear yours.
Tell me about your book — I’ll reply personally within 24 hours with a free illustration plan.
Let’s Discuss Your Book → See 75+ published books