Two new books just released!

I've been working illustrating a brand new baby book series for Penguin/Ladybird - Ladybird Happy Babies. The first two titles, Bedtime and Playtime, have been just released!

These are cute little peep-through books showing babies in their daily routines. The rhyming text describes what is happening in each picture, and the baby reading the book gets to look through the hole in the page to find out what the baby in the book is doing next.

I created a little Teddy who will appear in every book of this series. He helps hints baby what's coming next.



I am really happy with them, they are super cute and so much fun to work on!

I just love baby books :o)

Christmas Book Celebration Week- day 3

© copyright Alicia Padrón

I was very excited when Ladybird contacted me offering to illustrate one of their books. They had a Fairy Tale book in mind that they thought would work very well with my illustrations. They asked me to whip up a full spread paid sample first with my choice of the Fairy Tale characters in it.

I came up with the illustration you see above. I always thought Little Red Riding Hood set in the winter instead of spring would be so much lovelier, so I placed all the characters in a snowy forest.

After seeing this, Ladybird decided they wanted me to illustrate a Christmas title instead. I was thrilled because I am a Christmas nut. It's my favorite time of the year. I just love the magic in the air. People seem happier and it's all about the kids. So of course, I said yes. :o)

© copyright Alicia Padrón

This is one of my favorite spreads in the book. When I was a little girl, I always imagined how thrilling it would be to see Santa. I think all kids wish this at one point or another. So I gave them that in this illustration.

© copyright Alicia Padrón

Thank you all for your lovely comments and for participating in the giveaway! I wish I could give copies to all of you but of course I can't. The good news is anyone, anywhere in the world can participate. I will purchase the book and it will ship to the lucky winner.

You have until Saturday to comment. I will announce the winner on Sunday.

Good luck! :o)

It's a Christmas Book Celebration!

Today we are kicking off our celebration week of Alicia Padron's latest book for Ladybird. And it couldn't come at a more perfect time if you are looking for a super cute gift for the young ones this holiday season. The book is filled with Ali's beautiful watercolors with all her whimsy and charm. There is such a sweetness and innocence to her work and I can see why the publisher picked her for this project.

I love the layout of the book, with big sturdy pages and tabs. At the end of the book is the Christmas Story. But this book is really all about her artwork. I just love how she lets loose with her watercolor technique. Such freedom.

Be sure to leave a comment to be entered into our giveaway of this book.

You have until Saturday!

Sneak Peak

Be sure to check in with the PBJ's next week for a super fun celebration week

and book giveaway. We will be reviewing Ladybird's First Favourite Christmas Book, illustrated by our own Alicia Padron! And beginning on Monday you can leave a comment to be entered to win a copy of this adorable book. It's big and beautiful!

A new book

One of the books I worked on last year over the summer has been recently released in the UK! :)

Ladybird First Favourite Christmas Book published by Penguin/Ladybird is a sturdy, padded cover board book with fun christmas content for the little ones. You'll find christmas songs, carols and the story of christmas at the very end.

It features full page color illustrations. I had to work very big for this book and I wanted the kids to enjoy all the beauty and magic of christmas so I really pumped up my color. I wanted those pages to pop. I tried to leave little fun details for the kids to look at while singing the song or reading the story.

I'm still waiting for my copies to arrive. Can't wait to see them! It's one of my favorite things of being a children's illustrator, holding that big FedEx box in my hands and having my kids help open it! :)