Mai Kemble - Designer
My art is hand-drawn and digitally colored. I love to marry illustrations to text- making each story unique for a lasting childhood memory.
Request a quote
Verified identity
Overview
What's my process? I have been a freelance illustrator for 15 years. My hand-drawn images have been featured in picture books, board books, clothing, websites, etc.. I have experience designing these books from sketch to finish as digital files that are print-ready. Each project begins by reading the manuscript and learning what the writer's vision is for their story. After creating sketches of the characters I can then move on to layout or a book dummy. The cover is usually last because it needs to sum up the overall tone of the story. If needed I can also place text and other elements needed such as barcodes and publishing information. Each stage is shown to my clients for approval before moving forward. I find that this method works best so there is an initial look established for the entire book and there are no surprises.
What do I get out of it? I aim to evoke emotions from readers and give each story a real personality and message. I have loved picture books since revisiting them in college while studying illustration and have been a serious collector. I love studying their rhythm and how the writer and illustrator can perfect how to best convey the story. They are the ultimate medium to reach a child's own private world of thought and imagination. I want the books I work on to reach that viewer's heart. I take these projects seriously (yes, even the humor books) and approach them as cherished creations by each writer.
What do you get? You will get the absolute best attempt at making your story be the best it can be- full of heart and endearing images that hopefully will stay with the reader for life.
What do I get out of it? I aim to evoke emotions from readers and give each story a real personality and message. I have loved picture books since revisiting them in college while studying illustration and have been a serious collector. I love studying their rhythm and how the writer and illustrator can perfect how to best convey the story. They are the ultimate medium to reach a child's own private world of thought and imagination. I want the books I work on to reach that viewer's heart. I take these projects seriously (yes, even the humor books) and approach them as cherished creations by each writer.
What do you get? You will get the absolute best attempt at making your story be the best it can be- full of heart and endearing images that hopefully will stay with the reader for life.
Services
Fiction
Fantasy
Holiday
Picture Books
Awards
- SCBWI Illustration "Cruising" Winner 2007
- SCBWI Featured Artist 2007
Work experience
Illustrator
Olympia Publishers
March, 2022
–
July, 2022
(4 months)
Illustrator for picture book Dood and the First Day of School by Brittany Gilmore
Illustrator
The Magnus Company
February, 2022
–
June, 2022
(4 months)
Illustrator for picture book Sloane in the City by Jade Ogunnaike
Illustrator
Inkblot Press
October, 2021
–
January, 2022
(3 months)
Illustrator for picture book Hazel Searches For Quiet by Rosie A. Bailey
Illustrator
Child Like Faith Children's Books LLC
July, 2021
–
March, 2022
(8 months)
Illustrator for picture book This Is Me by Larry S. Glover
Illustrator
Child Like Faith Children's Books LLC
July, 2021
–
December, 2021
(5 months)
Illustrator for picture book Dear God, Teach Me Your Ways by Larry S. Glover
Illustrator
Lil' Oil Publishing
May, 2021
–
April, 2022
(11 months)
Illustrator for picture book Chasing Chase by Sherryce St. Amant
Illustrator
Amazon KDP
April, 2021
–
September, 2021
(5 months)
Illustrator for picture book Peter the Hamster That Lives in My Cupboard by Bruce Jassett
Illustrator
Child Like Faith Children's Books LLC
March, 2021
–
July, 2021
(4 months)
Illustrator for picture book We Walk By Faith by Larry S. Glover
Illustrator
Child Like Faith Children's Books LLC
March, 2021
–
July, 2022
(over 1 year)
Illustrator for picture book I CAN and I WILL by Larry S. Glover
Illustrator
White Feather Interpreting, LLC
March, 2021
–
May, 2021
(2 months)
Illustrator for picture book I Don't Like That! by Julie Balassa
Illustrator
Child Like Faith Children's Books LLC
November, 2020
–
February, 2021
(3 months)
Illustrator for picture book God Is Love by Larry S. Glover
Illustrator
DGS (KDP Kids Books)
August, 2020
–
April, 2021
(8 months)
Illustrator for picture book Julianne and the Shaggy Dog by James Fogarty.
Illustrator
Child Like Faith Children's Books LLC
April, 2020
–
November, 2020
(7 months)
Illustrator for picture book A Place Where We Can Go by Larry S. Glover
Illustrator
Child Like Faith Children's Books LLC
April, 2020
–
July, 2020
(3 months)
Illustrator for picture book Angels All Around Us by Larry S. Glover
Illustrator
Ewonderment, LLC
April, 2020
–
August, 2020
(4 months)
Illustrator for picture book Festival of the Elves by Angeli Elliott
Ilustrator
Bowker
March, 2020
–
November, 2020
(8 months)
Illustrator for picture book The Day Bob Saw Jesus by Lindi Juarez.
Illustrator
N/A- (Nichole Sutter)
January, 2019
–
January, 2020
(about 1 year)
Illustrator for picture book Critter Countdown written by Bobby Lopez and Damian Sutter
Illustrator
Bowker
January, 2019
–
July, 2019
(6 months)
Illustrator for picture book My Dragon by Monique Nelsen.
Illustrator
Epigraph Books
February, 2012
–
August, 2012
(6 months)
Illustrator for picture book Will Santa Come Tonight by Joan Dinan.
Illustrator
Outskirts Press
August, 2011
–
January, 2012
(5 months)
Illustrator for picture book Lou Lou by Safia Guerras.
Illustrator
Downtown Bookworks
December, 2009
–
July, 2010
(7 months)
Illustrator for picture book I'm So Not Wearing A Dress! written by Julie Merberg.
Illustrator
Paulist Press
September, 2009
–
September, 2010
(about 1 year)
Illustrator for picture book I Can Speak Bully written by Kevin Morrison.
Illustrator
Charlesbridge
July, 2008
–
September, 2010
(about 2 years)
Illustrator for picture book Polka-dot Saves Kindergarten by Catherine Urdahl.
Illustrator
Red Cygnet Press
September, 2007
–
September, 2008
(about 1 year)
Illustrator for two picture books, The Moon and the Night Sweeper (written by Mai S. Kemble) and Taylor's Birthday Party (written by Hana Khan).
Portfolio (25 selected works)
The Moon and the Night Sweeper
Mai S. Kemble
Few people know that, if you wake in the middle of the night--between a "tick" and "tock" on the clock--the Moon will invite you on a magical adventure. You'll be whisked upward, through the night sky, and you will find a fellow they call the "Night Sweeper." It's the Night Sweeper's job to sweep away all the stardust that falls from the heavens and to make sure all the roofs are clean by sunrise.
I Can Speak Bully
Kevin Morrison
A tool for parents to use in bringing their children on the journey of understanding bullies and how to help them find the friendship and acceptance they are truly looking for.
Polka-Dot Fixes Kindergarten
Catherine Urdahl
It's Polka-dot's first day of kindergarten and armed with her trusty fix-it kit, she can handle anything—just like her Grandpa. When she gets to school, though, everything goes wrong. Her name-tag has her baby name on it and she makes a mess when she tries to paint! Duct tape, runny soap, and dotted bandages just aren't enough to fix her kindergarten catastrophes. And, when it comes to dealing... read more
Taylor's Birthday Party
Hana Khan
Baker and Taylor are two young cats who are the best of friends. When Taylor's birthday approaches, Baker decides to throw his pal a special surprise birthday party. Being a cat, however, makes many birthday tasks quite difficult. When Taylor finally arrives, Baker must explain that the party he planned has been a disaster. Baker learns, however, that -- no matter what went wrong -- it was the... read more
Enchanted Reindeer Treats Boxed Gift Set
Joan Dinan
-Enjoy a delightful new Christmas family tradition! -Bring your family together to read this lovely storybook and sprinkle Enchanted Reindeer Treats outside your home on Christmas Eve -Children and adults alike will love the endearing story of 'Will Santa Come Tonight?' by Joan Dinan -Includes a golden satchel full of Enchanted Reindeer Treats that your children can sprinkle outside to guide S... read more
A fun (inexpensive!) picture book for the un-fancy Nancy’s.Shelby likes to play sports in her favorite red sneakers. She likes to dig for worms with her best friend, Nate. She does not want to have tea parties with her next door neighbor, Sophie. And when she is asked to be a flower girl in her aunt’s wedding, she knows one thing for sure: SHE IS SO NOT WEARING A DRESS! A spunky heroine, adora... read more
Lou Lou
Guerras, Safia, Kemble, Mai S
My Dragon
Works, Tubby, Nelsen, Monique, Kemble, Mai S.
The Little Weaver: A Christmas Story
Stokas, Alex J, Kemble, Mai S
Cassie and the Cavity Witch
Sullivan, Julie
Angels All Around Us (The Kids Empowerment Series)
Glover, Larry S
Festival of the Elves The Magic Around You
Elliott, Angeli J, Kemble, Mai S
The Day Bob Saw Jesus
Juarez, Lindi S, Wolf, Deena G., Kemble, Mai
Julianne and the Shaggy Dog
Fogarty, James, Kemble, Mai
Chasing Chase
St. Amant, Sherryce, Hall, Rachel L., Kemble, Mai S.
Peter The Hamster That Lives In My Cupboard
Jassett, Bruce
Hazel Searches for Quiet: A Children's Illustrated Book
Bailey, Rosie A., Kemble, Mai S.
Angels All Around Us (The Kids Empowerment Series)
Glover, Larry S
This is Me (Kids With Special Needs And Disabilities)
Glover, Larry S
We Walk By Faith (The Kids Empowerment Series)
Glover, Larry S
I CAN and I WILL: Kids with Special Needs and Disabilities
Glover, Larry S
Dear God, Teach me your ways (The Kids Empowerment Series)
Glover, Larry S
God is Love (The Kids Empowerment Series)
Glover, Larry S
A Place Where We Can Go (The Kids Empowerment Series)
Glover, Larry S, Glover, Larry S
I Don't Like That!
Tales, White Feather, Betz, Amy, Kemble, Mai S, Charles, Melinda
Mai has 16 reviews
Professionalism
Professionalism
Quality
Quality
Value
Value
Communication & Punctuality
Communication & Punctuality
I wish I could rate her higher. Mai has shown dedication, professionalism, and incredible skill. She's carried the book, coming up with layouts, with fascinating layouts, and incredibly skilled drawing. I can't imagine working with someone else!
James Fogarty, September 2022
I could not be happier with my entire collaborative experience with Mai. She is so kind, patient, and TALENTED. Communication was quick, thoughtful, and extremely supportive throughout the whole process and I ended up with illustrations that exceeded my own expectations. I hope to work with Mai again and would recommend her to anyone.
Britt Gilmore, July 2022
Mai is the best. Her skill, artistry, thoughtfulness, and ability to take feedback are second to none!
Jade Ogunnaike, June 2022
Amazing artist and very responsive. Would love to work with her soon!
Anne B, January 2022
overall great.
Bruce Jassett, November 2021
Explore the Reedsy Community
Reedsy is a community of top publishing professionals. Join Reedsy today to browse 1000+ profiles.
Stanislav Snihur
Book cover designer from Ukraine, with almost 7 years experience. I work in the U.S.A./Canada.
Montreal, QC, Canada
Ane Arzelus
I'm an illustrator in love with witty visual communication and puns, who aims to communicate ideas through bold images in a bright way!
Donostia-San Sebastian, Spain
