Children's Book Illustrator

About Shout Mouse Press:

Shout Mouse Press (www.ShoutMousePress.org) is a writing and publishing program dedicated to amplifying underheard voices. We coach writers from marginalized communities to tell their own stories in their own voices and, as published authors, to act as agents of change. 

Shout Mouse authors have produced original children’s books, novels, comics, and memoir and poetry collections that engage reluctant readers as well as open hearts and minds.  

Thus far we have produced 50+ books by Black, Latinx, Muslim, immigrant, low-income, and otherwise marginalized youth in DC and Haiti. See all books here: shoutmousepress.org/catalog 

Opportunity:  

We are seeking illustrators for our 2026 series of Beyond Borders bilingual children’s books. In partnership with LAYC, we coach 12-15 immigrant teens to develop bilingual picture books for children, inspired by their own lived experiences. These books will center immigrants’ stories and identities – voices that are often marginalized, unheard, and undervalued. The mission of the series is to create diverse, authentic, accessible books that affirm immigrant children, increase understanding of immigrant perspectives, and foster an inclusive next generation. This will be the project’s third year; the series currently contains seven successful children’s books.

Youth from Latin American Youth Center (LAYC) will participate in weekly after-school workshops to learn principles of effective storytelling, examine representation in children’s books, and write their own manuscripts. The artists will be mentored by SMP’s Art Director. 

Books are generally ~40 pages long and require color cover + up to 20 color full-page or spot illustrations. Previous illustrators have spent an average of 100 hours total on this project.

Qualifications: 

• Investment in mission and history of engagement in social justice, minority rights, diversity initiatives
• Skilled artist in digital and/or traditional media, 
• Prior narrative illustration / storyboarding experience 
• Skilled and professional communicator and collaborator, both with project leader and with teen authors,
• Ability to draw characters from varying ethnicities as well as imaginary creatures, 
• Ability to edit images digitally as needed via Adobe creative suite
• Ability to upload/scan high-quality JPEG files in DropBox
• Ability to work independently, take initiative, and meet all required deadlines
• Ability to join workshop and collaborate with authors on-site in Washington DC for one day and virtually for two days.
• Preferred: Fluent in Spanish

We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Shout Mouse is committed to building a culturally diverse team and to providing professional development opportunities for the next generation of diverse artists and writers. We strongly encourage applicants who are people of color, LGBTQ+, disabled, and/or members of otherwise marginalized groups. 

Timeline:

March 15 - September 1

Synchronous / On-Site:

The project requires 2 on-site visits on March 31 and April 2 in Washington, DC to meet authors and to sketch characters + create basic storyboard. These visits will take place on Tuesday and Thursday from 4-6pm.

Asynchronous / Off-Site:

All other illustration work can be completed from home according to the following schedule:

~ 2 weeks for sketches

~ 6 weeks for color art 

~ 2 weeks for final revisions 

Compensation:  

This opportunity is part-service, part-compensation. Our goals: 

• We want to give aspiring illustrators the opportunity to have their work published and distributed in order to build professional credentials. 
• We want to offer an opportunity to do concrete, tangible good with artistic talents. If community service hours are applicable, we will happily sign forms or affirm participation. 
• We want to value artists’ time and contribution as much as possible with our limited budget. We are able to offer a stipend of $2500/book with the opportunity for a $500 bonus, plus 5 free copies/book. 
• We also promote your work as much as possible and will provide your bio + link on our website and in print in the books.

Interested?  Visit shoutmousepress.org/illustrate to apply. Apply by January 5, 2026.