Hi! My name is Cory, a kidlit illustrator. It’s been two years since I dove into the amazing world of children’s books. It hasn’t been an easy journey, especially doing it as a mother of a toddler. But it also gives me a special advantage: I have a real kid to show my work to and get real, unfiltered, honest reactions.
Of course, this sometimes comes with a bit of doubt, because I’m obviously her favorite illustrator ever and no one else makes better illustrations than me (her opinion, not mine—if you disagree, please book an appointment with her to discuss this matter). But beyond her sweet compliments, I get to see her genuine reactions when I read my books to her: the smirk, the laughter, the smiles, the confusion, the rejection, the questions, the bored face—everything.
This year felt way more complex than last year. Last year, I worked on four books smoothly—no chaos, no tears, no drama. This year, I also worked on four new books, but each one came with its own unforgettable behind-the-scenes story.
Together, they gave me a lot to think about: what I enjoy (and don’t), the values I want to stand for, the kinds of books I want to make moving forward, and the direction I want to take my illustration style.
Out of the four books I finished this year, there’s one that feels extra special—and it deserves its own post. It’s my favorite one. That project really proved to me that when the process is healthy, when the relationships are good, when there’s trust and mutual respect between everyone involved (and of course, a great manuscript), illustrating can be genuinely super fun. And in the end, it becomes a book that actually connects with readers. That book reminded me that when something is made with heart, it truly reaches the heart. I’ll tell you more soon! ✨
For 2026, my personal goals are… very human: live healthier, finally start exercising, take better care of myself (and actually use my skincare), drink more water, stay up late less often, and be kinder to myself. I also want to read more books and write more—like I used to. Which probably means less doom-scrolling and more doing things that actually make me a better person than yesterday.
Illustration-wise, my 2026 goals are to explore more, sharpen my style, find a smoother and more efficient workflow for managing all my projects, and update my portfolio more often—because it will not update itself, haha. And another one: I need to finish all those Domestika courses that i bought last year! My goodness.
2024 was the year I was still fumbling around in the illustration world.
2025 was the year I learned a lot about children’s book illustration—and about myself.
Hopefully, 2026 will be the year I grow even more, and get to work on exciting stories, with lovely people along the way 🌱
See you in another post!
Love,
Cory
laboracory 