Zoe Saunders

Zoe Saunders – Designer

I'm a Friendly and professional Children's Book Illustrator. I create sweet and whimsical illustrations which have a timeless charm.

Overview

NOW TAKING BOOKINGS FOR PROJECTS STARTING IN MARCH 2026

My name is Zoe and I am a freelance artist and children's book illustrator based in Cheshire, UK.

I have always had a love of artistry. I love to sketch, paint and create sweet characters. I am particularly fascinated by animals, both real and magical, and love the detailed setting of nature and foliage.

I love to work in pen and watercolour and have a cute and whimsical style. I also work digitally and find this offers much more freedom and convenience that it gives when creating children's books. I aim for a whimsical and traditional feel to my digital work too, so that it offers the best of both worlds.

I have worked for authors both in the UK and far away lands, creating bespoke illustrations for their precious stories.

Children's book illustration and design is my passion, and my aim is to not only provide authors with beautiful illustrations for their picture books, but to also provide a friendly, stress-free experience, completed in a timely manner. Each step of the way we will work together, to create the book of your dreams.

I have also worked on projects such as business logos, public house signs, pet food packaging, and private commissions.

Please feel free to get in touch to discuss any project you have.

Services
Non-Fiction
Children’s Non-Fiction Nature Parenting & Families
Fiction
Middle Grade Picture Books
Languages
English
Awards
  • Honorary mention in the 2018 'SCBWI Undiscovered Voices Competition' anthology.
Certifications
  • I am a full member of the Society of Children's Book Authors and Illustrators (SCBWI)

Work experience

Self-employed

Sep, 2015 — Present
I am an experienced picture book illustrator who has worked on over 50 books so far. I have helped to guide many first time picture book authors through the process of self publishing their books. Including planning, designing, illustrating, and typesetting, finally presenting the author with their final files ready to upload to Ingram Spark, Amazon KDP or other publishing platform. I have a friendly and enthusiastic manner and aim to make the whole process as fun and stress free as possible. I have also written, illustrated, and published my own books via Ingram Spark. My picture books 'The Lonely Dragon' and 'How to Make a Wish' are available on Amazon and in other book stores, along with my chapter book series, 'The Adventures of Hetty Honeywort'.

Portfolio

Cover Design Illustration Book Interior Design
Made with Reedsy
Meme and Puff Engine the Tractor (Meme's Farm)

Rittson-Thomas, Kathleen

Katoa

Cover Design Illustration Book Interior Design
Made with Reedsy
Meme and Big Red's Adventure (Meme's Farm)

Rittson-Thomas, Kathie

Katoa

Cover Design Illustration Book Interior Design
Made with Reedsy
I Like Kibble and So Much More!

Lapre, Robin

Robin Lapre

Cover Design Illustration Book Interior Design
Made with Reedsy
I Lost My Cat! Now What?

Lapre, Robin

Robin Lapre

Cover Design Illustration Book Interior Design
Made with Reedsy
I Loved You Best: Loving and Losing a Pet

Mauro, Tracey

Palmetto Publishing

Cover Design Illustration
Cover Design
Heart Trouble for ZZ

Clark, Peni

Unstoppable Stories Publishing

The Uglets

Saunders, Zoe

Whimsicolour Publishing

Cover Design Illustration Book Interior Design
Illustration
Cover Design
Made with Reedsy
Two Frisky Kittens: How to Count High Real Quick

Lapre, Robin

Robin Lapre

Cover Design Illustration Book Interior Design
Made with Reedsy
The Snugbugs: Posie’s Snowy Nighttime Adventure

Friedman, Joanna

Snugbug Books

Illustration
Cover Design Illustration Book Interior Design
Basil, Boris and Billy

Phillips, Christopher

Oysterbird Publishing

Illustration Book Interior Design
Made with Reedsy
Sunny's First Day

Artiles, Dr. Julissa

self

Cover Design Illustration Book Interior Design
Raptor Boy

Saunders, Zoe

Whimsicolour Publishing

Made with Reedsy
Asher's Big Emotions

Pink, Felicia

Felicia Pink

Cover Design Illustration Book Interior Design
Made with Reedsy
Stay, Winston!

Cooper, Ashley

Cover Design Illustration Book Interior Design
Made with Reedsy
Meme’s Farm

Rittson-Thomas, Kathie

Cover Design Illustration Book Interior Design
My Hypermobility

Pinnington, Leah

Cover Design Typography Book Interior Design
Made with Reedsy
Lovable Lucy: The Kitten in the Garden

Fowke, Melissa

Made with Reedsy
Today is the Day!: Otis Goes to the Beach

Williamson, Katie

Made with Reedsy
The Christmas Camel

Permut, Susan

Cover Design Illustration
Made with Reedsy
The Snugbugs

Friedman, Joanna

Cover Design Illustration Book Interior Design
Cover Design Illustration
Made with Reedsy
The Happy Puppy

Placido, Sophie

Cover Design Illustration
Made with Reedsy
Today, I wish for a sister

Bock, Irina

Cover Design Illustration
Made with Reedsy
Mabel Menichetti Makes the Best Spaghetti

Groome, Eileen

Cover Design Illustration
Made with Reedsy
Ellery's Magic Bicycle

Monte, Maria

Cover Design Illustration
Made with Reedsy
Tired Mommy

Dudish, Nicole

Cover Design Illustration
Cover Design Illustration
Cover Design Illustration
Made with Reedsy
Abc Is That Safe for Me?

Diane Lynn Marunczak

Through colorful pictures and fun rhyming verses, learn a variety of different ways to prepare your child to confidently and safely manage school days with food allergies.
Cover Design Illustration
Cover Design Illustration
Made with Reedsy
The Mysterious Pool

McIver, Charlene

Cover Design Illustration
Made with Reedsy
Soft Brown Ears

Matchett, Lynn

Cover Design Illustration
Cover Design Illustration
Cover Design Illustration
Cover Design Illustration
Cover Design Illustration
WHITE RABBITS

Halewood, Kate

Cover Design Illustration
A Special Journey

Batty, Leanne E

Cover Design Illustration
A Spot of New

Anastasia, P

Cover Design Illustration
Honey Harvest

Kerr, Elissa

Morning Puppa

Anastasia, P

Cover Design Illustration
Cover Design
Cover Design Illustration
The Gratitude Seed

Appleby, Linda

Cover Design Illustration
Cover Design Illustration
Come Fly With Me

Amison, Katie

Cover Design Illustration
Sunkissed

Kerr, Elissa

Cover Design Illustration
Cover Design Illustration Book Interior Design
Cover Design Illustration Book Interior Design
The Humble Seed

Appleby, Linda

Cover Design Illustration Book Interior Design
Cover Design Illustration Book Interior Design
Harry Brown carelessly throws a rock at a tree and causes a bluebirds nest to fall. He rushes to find help to put the nest back on the tree brunch. Harry’s mother carefully puts the nest back ... read more
Cover Design Illustration Book Interior Design
Come on a journey through the countryside, as Big Red Fox teaches Little Red Fox how to make wishes. A dreamy children's story with delightful watercolour illustrations, and a heartwarming end... read more
Cover Design Illustration Book Interior Design
The Apple Tree

John Rebholz

A true story of a son remembering his father.The story takes the reader on a journey through 3 generations, showing the kind of life his Father had, his adventures and more importantly, what h... read more
Cover Design Illustration
When Santa visits Monty's house, things don't quite go to plan. Cookie has managed to scare the reindeers away and they are nowhere to be seen. Children around the world are waiting, but who w... read more
Cover Design Illustration
Monty, Cookie and the spangles are back at the beach.When Cookie sees a splash in the water her newfydoof instinct to rescue takes over and she immediately heads out to help.What follows is an... read more
Cover Design Illustration
The Lonely Dragon

Zoe Saunders

High up in the mountains, far above the clouds, where the Earth meets the sky, there lived a lonely dragon... The dragon embarks on a great journey travelling far and wide, in search of a frie... read more
Cover Design Illustration Book Interior Design
A Seaside Adventure! Monty, Cookie and the spangles are off on their holidays to sunny Pembrokeshire and the beautiful beach at Poppit Sands.In a cave they meet a new friend, the Poppit Dragon... read more
Cover Design Illustration
Penelope Green has forgotten kindness until she enters the enchanted fairy woodland. In windy whispers, the magical trees tell Penelope a tale about the fairies, the kindness seed and the Knot... read more
Cover Design Illustration

Zoe has 35 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Macy A.

Macy A.

Dec, 2025

Zoe completely blew me away with her illustrations for my picture book. Her ability to make my vision for the book come to life was amazing. Zoe really loves what she does and you can tell from the high quality work she produces. She was always quick with communication and very professional. I am...
Read more
Zoe S.
SO lovely to work with you Macy! I’m really proud of this book, and super excited to see it out there in the world. Best of luck with everything, and if you ever need me again, you know where to fi...
Read more
Robin L.

Robin L.

Oct, 2025

We could not have gotten any luckier than to have found Zoe. Like so many others, we are repeat customers because Zoe does great work, she is very thoughtful about how the book comes together, and she is flexible about making changes. We get complimented on her illustrations all the time.
Kathleen R.

Kathleen R.

Sep, 2025

Zoe has yet again been wonderful to work with in all aspects of her involvement in creating this book. Her beautiful illustrations make my story special. She is always helpful and incredibly patient. I highly recommend her to anyone looking for an illustrator for children’s books
Kathleen R.

Kathleen R.

Jul, 2025

Absolutely wonderful. I couldn’t ask for a better illustrator than Zoe. She has been so helpful throughout the process, efficient and above all her illustrations are truely wonderful. Thank you Zoe.
Robin L.

Robin L.

Jul, 2025

Three things to know about Zoe. 1. She is incredibly pleasant and professional in her communication/work ethic. 2. She is a talented illustrator and adds a lot of warmth to her drawings. 3. She'll make your story better with artwork that ties everything together. She has a vision for how it will ...
Read more
Zoe S.
Thank you for the lovely review Robin! It’s been so fabulous to work with you - I’m really proud to have worked on your book, and I look forward to working on your next book too! 🙂

Sign up to read more reviews

Create a free Reedsy account to connect with Zoe and thousands of other publishing professionals on Reedsy.

Professionals similar to Zoe

Get a range of offers by requesting quotes from multiple professionals.

Driss Chaoui

Driss C.

Book covers illustrator who believes in colourful designs for all genres.

Toulouse, France

100% reply rate

View profile
Anna Surgan

Anna S.

Illustrator specializing in children's picture books, book covers, and fiction. Creating detailed, atmospheric illustrations that captivate.

Napoli, Metropolitan City of Naples, Italy

86% reply rate

View profile
Ivy Giddens

Ivy G.

I love the process of bringing the author's characters and worlds to life--it's exciting for the both of us! Let's get started!

Atlanta, GA, USA

95% reply rate

View profile