How I Review Illustrations for The Rabbit in the Moon
How I Review New Illustrations for The Rabbit in the Moon
Today I’m reviewing four new illustrations for The Rabbit in the Moon and taking you behind the scenes to show exactly how Rod and I work together to refine each page of the book.
If you prefer to watch the full breakdown, you can see the process on our YouTube channel: 👉 Watch the illustration review video
Step 1: Create a Mockup in Google Slides
I begin by opening Google Slides and creating a simple open-book mockup:
Left page on the left side
Right page on the right side
Sketch inserted on the correct page number
Four placeholder text lines to identify likely text placement
This helps me visualize how the text and art will work together in the final book.
Step 2: Read the Scene as a Reader
I insert the actual stanza into the layout and read the page aloud. Here’s what I look for:
Environment accuracy — Is the setting correct?
Character placement — Are they positioned clearly and consistently?
Time of day — Does the lighting match the moment?
Continuity — Does it feel seamless with earlier pages?
Step 3: Identify “Show, Don’t Tell” Opportunities
After the first read-through, I read the text again and check whether the illustration communicates information that’s already in the writing.
If Rod can show the action, I eliminate the words so the storytelling stays tight, clean, and visually driven, exactly how a picture book should be.
Step 4: Confirm Pacing and Page Spreads
Some moments deserve a full-spread illustration, while others only need a single page. The mockup helps us determine:
Where page turns should create suspense
Where full illustrations enhance emotional beats
Where minimal layout keeps the story flowing
Step 5: Iterate and Refine Together
I leave notes for Rod about composition, lighting, emotion, and focal points.
He updates the sketch, and we repeat the process until the page feels balanced, beautiful, and essential.
This is where the magic happens, when writing and illustration blend together to create something special for young readers.
Related Posts
Here are a few posts that connect directly with today's illustration review:
• Planning the Illustrations for The Rabbit in the Moon
How we decide which scenes are full-spreads, single-page illustrations, or quiet moments driven by text.
• Show, Don’t Tell in Picture Books
How we let illustrations express emotion and action so the text can breathe.
• New Yabbit the Rabbit Sketches: Watching Yabbit Come to Life
See how CJ evolved through Rod’s early character sketches.
