Kyria Mckie Illustration

Casa
Italia
Bologna
Kyria Mckie Illustration

Children’s book illustrator. SCBWI
My style is cosy and warm, inspired by childhood classics! 🏅2 awarded books. In love with storytelling!

11/05/2026

I finally received the hardback copy of Sheila Holmes Fairy Detective in the post today… and I honestly can’t stop smiling. (Link in my stories!)

This is the very first book in a brand new series, and holding the finished copy in my hands feels like such a proud moment.

It’s a beautifully produced chapter book filled with mystery, adventure, and the sweetest little woodland characters and magical creepers (which I absolutely adored illustrating 🥹).

I genuinely loved working on this story from beginning to end, and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it too. Seeing all the illustrations printed in a real hardback edition makes all those sketching hours feel incredibly special.

And the best part?… Book Two is already waiting.

I cannot wait to continue this adventure.

So excited to finally share this one with you all.

ChildrensBookIllustration
MiddleGradeBooks

08/05/2026

Lately I’ve been having so much fun reimagining some of my favourite classic characters and putting my own little twist on them.

There’s something really interesting to me about taking characters we all know and love, changing little details and influences, while still keeping them instantly recognisable and familiar.

So here’s my version of Mary Poppins ☂️

☂️

01/05/2026

I’m looking to collaborate on children’s books that are rooted in faith, sincerity, and heart.

If you’re an author or a publisher working on a project like this, I would truly love to hear from you.

faithinspiredart christianchildrensbooks kidlitart childrensbookillustration illustratorforhire

27/04/2026

I went to Bologna Children’s Book Fair with a plan, a portfolio I felt confident in, and a long list of events I wanted to attend…

I’ve written a full article where I go deeper into everything:
how I prepared, what I focused on while I was there, what I learned, what I’m planning next… and also what I intentionally ditched along the way.

You can read it through the link in my bio!

picturebookillustrator publishingjourney creativebusiness illustrationcareer bookillustration illustratorsofinstagram kidlitcommunity authorillustrator visualstorytelling creativejourney behindtheillustration illustratorslife childrensbookartist artandstory illustrationbusiness

14/04/2026

POV: you’re walking through Bologna thinking the book fair will magically fix your entire life!

08/04/2026

Heading to Bologna Children’s Book Fair with one clear goal:
build real, lasting connections ✨

Publishers, agents, illustrators… let’s meet, talk, and create something meaningful together.

If you’re going too, I’d love to connect 💛

04/03/2026

As I prepare my portfolio for Bologna Children’s Book Fair, I have to admit I am a little bit of a nervous wreck.

I have been reworking my portfolio and trying to create pieces that feel truly like me. Illustrations that reflect the kind of stories I would love to bring to life. The cozy, timeless, slightly magical ones.

So I have been revisiting some children’s classics, and this is my little tribute to The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame.

This piece took me ages to feel happy with. Maybe it is the nerves of finally booking myself into Bologna, but lately I feel a little wobbly at the knees and unsure about everything.

Still, I finished it today and thought I would share it with you.

Do you like it?

03/03/2026

The Secret Garden is my absolute favourite book ever written, and I am so excited to use it as the inspiration for my March letters. 🌹

Each month I choose a character from children’s literature and borrow their voice. They write to you as if from their own world, and inside the letter you will find little treasures inspired by their story.

This time, it is Mary Lennox, the curious heroine of The Secret Garden. Her letter will be sent at the end of this week.

If you’d like to receive the March letter, you can sign up via the Patreon link in my bio. If you have any questions, simply send me a little message or leave a comment in the garden.

02/03/2026

It’s Monday in the cabin, and spring has finally begun!!!!

I’m sitting in a little patch of sunshine, crafting my March letters inspired by The Secret Garden. This month’s letter is written in the voice of Mary Lennox, and each envelope includes my illustrated greeting card of little Mary, plus a tiny key stamped onto seed paper you can plant and watch bloom.

If you’ve been longing for spring too, this one is for you.
And if you’ve never read The Secret Garden… this is your sign to begin. 🌼

23/02/2026

Today I’m talking about a book I recently finished illustrating with , and I realised while filming this how much I love building woodland worlds.

There is something about developing small forest characters and imagining the details of their everyday lives that feels completely second nature to me. The textures, the mossy corners, the tiny doors, the warm light in little windows. Watching the characters grow from early sketches into fully formed personalities inside Little Acorn Hollow has been such a satisfying journey.

And the best part? We have already started book two.

This time I get to explore the village of Acorn Hollow more deeply. More corners, more cosy spaces, more of that imagined world of tiny creatures living their busy, sweet lives. I honestly do not think I will ever get tired of creating places like this.

If you are curious about the finished book, you can find the link through account ✨

And for those who enjoy a deeper dive into the making of this picture book, I will be sharing a long video on Patreon this week where I go through the spreads page by page and talk through my creative decisions, what evolved during the process, and what I would refine if I did it again. I will share it in my stories when it is live!

Dearly, Kyria

04/02/2026

I have such a soft spot for little background characters, especially animal ones. They’re often quiet helpers of the story, but they always hold such a big place in my heart 🤍

These sweet friends come from Sheila, The Fairy Detective by and I couldn’t resist sharing them because… just look at them.

I’m currently in full deep-dive mode to finish this book before deadline, and honestly? I’m really enjoying every moment of it. There’s something so special about disappearing into a story like this and bringing its little world to life ✨

Which one is your favourite?

Indirizzo

Bologna

Sito Web

http://www.bykyriaillustration.co.uk/

Notifiche

Lasciando la tua email puoi essere il primo a sapere quando Kyria Mckie Illustration pubblica notizie e promozioni. Il tuo indirizzo email non verrà utilizzato per nessun altro scopo e potrai annullare l'iscrizione in qualsiasi momento.