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For independent authors

Create an illustrated children’s book for self-publishing.

Develop the story, illustrate the pages, and make the layout your own. Review every part of the book, with clear output options and commercial-use requirements.

Sample created with Childbook.ai · Artwork and text you can review and edit.

Sample cover artwork for The Lantern in Willow Wood

The Lantern in Willow Wood

Fern and woodland friends gather around the glowing lantern at dusk.
The story concept

A cover, a cast of characters, and pages you can make your own.

Idea or existing manuscriptEditable story and artworkCover and page layoutCommercial-use plan available

A little look inside

See the book you’re working toward.

A small woodland story, developed into a cover and illustrated sample spreads. Notice how the character, palette, and page text work together.
The story concept

A small fox finds an old lantern in Willow Wood. He takes it home, carries it across a stream, and discovers that a little light can bring a whole forest together.

The Lantern in Willow WoodSample created with Childbook.ai · Four illustrated excerpts

Fern, a red fox with a teal scarf, discovers a brass lantern among willow roots.
01

A discovery in the roots

Under a tangle of willow roots, Fern found a lantern. He brushed away the leaves. ‘Someone must have a story for you,’ he whispered.

Fern polishes the same brass lantern at a wooden table in his cottage.
02

A little care

At home, Fern cleaned the cloudy glass. He polished the handle until it shone. The lantern was ready for another adventure.

Fern carries the lantern over stepping stones across a woodland stream.
03

Across the stream

Fern carried the lantern over the stepping stones. Splash, step, wobble, step. Across the stream, he could hear his friends calling.

Fern and woodland friends gather around the glowing lantern at dusk.
04

A light to share

When evening came, Fern set the lantern in the clearing. His friends gathered close. The little light had found its story: a place for everyone to belong.

Two starting points

Start with an idea or your own manuscript.

There’s a story in your head.

Describe the idea and develop an editable story with characters, illustrations, and a layout.

The words are already written.

Bring your manuscript to Illustrator. Choose scenes from your text, then work on the artwork and finished book.

The useful part

Make the book your own.

01

Keep your voice in the story

Start from your manuscript or review an AI draft. Edit the wording, pacing, and details before you finish.

02

Direct the illustrations

Define characters, set a visual style, and generate alternatives for scenes that need another take.

03

Refine the pages

Adjust the text, artwork, cover, and layout in the book editor. Read the result as a book before exporting.

From the first idea to the final page

From draft to reviewed output.

A practical production workflow for an author who wants to stay involved in the decisions.

Shape the story

Bring a manuscript or develop an idea into an editable draft.

Illustrate the scenes

Define your cast and review the artwork across the story.

Edit the book

Refine the cover, page layout, text, and selected illustrations.

Review and export

Proofread the finished pages and prepare the available output files.

Childbook book editor showing an illustrated page and editable layout controls
Inside the book editor: review the relationship between the words, artwork, and page layout.

Before you sell

Understand commercial use before publication.

The Business plan includes a commercial-use license for eligible output created while the subscription is active. Review the current offer and terms for your project.

Choose the right license

Commercial-use license is part of Business. Personal creation and commercial production have different requirements.

Review your finished work

Check the wording, images, page layout, and your rights to uploaded material before you distribute the book.

Plan the publishing steps

You manage distribution, retailer requirements, marketing, and sales. Check file specifications and AI-content policies with your chosen publisher.

Beyond the preview

A finished file is the next step toward publication.

Download available images and PDFs, or order an eligible printed copy. Check your chosen publisher’s trim, bleed, cover, and file requirements before submission. Printing and shipping are quoted separately.
  • Download illustrations for your production workflow
  • Export a reviewed book PDF
  • Edit covers and interior pages in the book editor
  • Explore the Business plan for commercial production

A few things you might be wondering.

Can I bring my own children’s book manuscript?

Yes. Use Illustrator for existing text, then continue into the book editor to work on the cover and page layout.

Can I edit AI-generated text and illustrations?

Yes. Edit the text, adjust the layout, and generate alternative illustrations. You choose what goes into the finished book.

Can I sell the book I create?

Business includes a commercial-use license for eligible output created while subscribed. Review the offer, terms, and rights to any material you upload before selling.

Which files can I download?

Depending on the workflow, you can download individual illustrations, a ZIP of images, and PDFs. Review the exported files against your publisher’s production specifications.

Can I order a printed copy?

Eligible books can be quoted for print in supported destinations. Print, shipping, and applicable taxes are separate from your subscription. A proof copy is useful for reviewing the finished result.

Can I use the output in an Amazon KDP workflow?

You are responsible for preparing files that meet KDP’s current requirements and submitting the book yourself. KDP requires disclosure of AI-generated text, images, or translations. Childbook does not guarantee retailer acceptance.

Your next page starts here

Make the book you’ve been imagining.

Start with an idea, or bring the manuscript you have been working on. Take it one reviewed page at a time.
Start Your Book