Children’s Book Illustration - Hailey the Hedgehog
Discover how we created the illustration for Hailey the Hedgehog, bringing a heartwarming children’s story to life through expressive characters and storytelling.
From the moment we were introduced to Hailey the Hedgehog, we knew this was a story worth bringing to life. Smart, funny and full of heart, the project centred on creating expressive illustration that could capture the warmth, humour and message of the story while appealing to young readers.
Beyond Hailey, we illustrated the series and continue collaborating on future characters, crafting a cohesive visual identity that enhances each story’s message. We also supported the author with a small print run to approach publishing houses, helping bring this meaningful series to a wider audience and inspire young readers to protect nature.
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"Robert was invaluable throughout the creative process. His expertise, professionalism, and prompt communication were crucial in meeting my tight deadline. The entire experience was seamless and enjoyable, and I’m excited to collaborate with him again in the future."
– Anthony Jones, Author
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Location: National (Remote Collaboration)
Client: Anthony Jones
Sector: Publishing & Education
Category: Illustration, Character Development and Children’s Book Design
Services: Illustration, Visual Identity, Character Design, Print Preparation
Project Duration: March 2022 – Ongoing
Deliverables: Character development, storyboarding, full-page illustrations, cover design, layout artwork and print-ready files.
Collaborators: Anthony Jones (Writing & Concept) | VistaPrint (Short-Run Publishing)
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From the moment we were introduced to Hailey the Hedgehog, we knew this was a project we wanted to be part of. Smart, funny and full of heart, the story carried an important message about how small acts of kindness can have a lasting impact — not just on people, but on the natural world around us. It was clear the author had created something special, and it was a joy to help bring the story to life through expressive artwork.
The collaboration began with a series of relaxed, idea-led conversations — from initial character descriptions and tone, to how the reader might feel as they turn each page. The brief wasn’t to create a perfectly polished, digital-looking book, but something warm and expressive, full of charm and personality. Hailey, and the world she inhabits, needed to feel believable, lovable, and just a little magical.
We began by sketching early concepts for Hailey herself — exploring posture, expression and movement — before expanding the cast to include a supporting group of animals and a very kind little boy. From there, the process moved into storyboarding, working closely with the author to shape pacing, page turns and quiet moments within the narrative. Each drawing was created with a hand-crafted quality that balanced whimsy with intention, always guided by the emotional rhythm of the story.
Much of the joy came from the story’s balance of humour and sincerity. It tackles real environmental themes in a way that feels accessible to children without becoming heavy-handed. Translating those ideas visually — from changing seasons to blocked wildlife corridors — offered a welcome creative challenge. Every scene was carefully composed to support the message while maintaining the lightness and warmth of the tale.
As the artwork developed, we refined the layout for short-run printing so the book could be shared with local schools, families and potential publishers. Working alongside a trusted local printer, we produced a small batch of beautifully bound copies, giving the author a professional foundation from which to present and promote the story.
We continue to collaborate on future characters and stories, and it’s a process we feel genuinely fortunate to be part of. Few projects allow for this level of creative freedom and shared purpose — and even fewer carry a message as quietly powerful as Hailey’s.
This is one that stayed with us. We hope it stays with readers, too.
