Debbie Palen Illustration
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debbiepalen.bsky.social
Debbie Palen Illustration
@debbiepalen.bsky.social
720 followers 1.2K following 270 posts
Illustrator of picture books, nature lover, vegetarian, yogi, feminist. Penguin Random House, Scholastic, Free Spirit Publishing, NWF. ✉dpalen@fmgirl.com portfolio: https://www.debbiepalen.com linktr.ee/dpalen
#KidLitArt #childrensbooks #kidlit
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debbiepalen.bsky.social
Honored to have my book illustrations from 2 recent picture books represented in this awesome show with so many other great author/ illustrators. If you are in the area, stop in! The exhibit will be up 'til 12/12. #artacademyofcincinnati #kidlitart #childrensbookillustration #kidlitartist
An advertisement graphic for a show of book illustration at the Art Academy of Cincinnati.
November 17, 2025 at 8:34 PM
debbiepalen.bsky.social
I'll be signing books at Loganberry Books on the 28th, 4:00-5:00 PM. This award-winning book makes a great gift for parents, teachers and groovy kids. Creating these illustrations of kids dancing and moving was a joy. The complete line-up of authors can be found here: tinyurl.com/3mpm84e4 #shoplocal
A flyer advertising a holiday book signing event at a bookstore by illustrator Debbie Palen, for the book titled Tap and Rap, Move and Groove by Connie Bergstein Dow.
November 11, 2025 at 8:57 AM
debbiepalen.bsky.social
Caw, caw, #KidLitArtPostcard day! I’m an illustrator by profession working toward authoring. I love drawing animal characters, wildlife and children. Traditional art plus digital. Looking for PB, MG, chapter books, novels, and representation. dpalen@fmgirl.com #kidlitart #kidlitartpostcard #ravens
5 very smart ravens having a picnic with autumn scenery. Smartly dressed, they are sitting on pumpkins and eating worms, corn, and a pear. Other food is on the picnic blanket. One is making a list and another is cawing while sitting on a cornstalk. A scarecrow is in the background.
November 6, 2025 at 8:14 AM
debbiepalen.bsky.social
Hello, friends!
I can not access my DMs right now; so if you have to contact me privately, please use email or Instagram or Facebook. Oh~ and here's some frogs taking a bath. Illustrated for@nationalwildlife.bsky.social, its about a deadly chytrid fungus being stopped with anti-fungal baths.
An Illustration of three frogs in a bathtub. One yellow, one green, and one blue. © debbie palen.
October 15, 2025 at 5:53 AM
debbiepalen.bsky.social
I had a lovely time finding community, comraderie and encouragement at the conference. Thank you, @joannhnyc.bsky.social and #scbwiohionorth ! I was so surprised and honored for the recognition!
Photo of an art print of bunnies and an art show winner's certificate from SCBWI Northern Ohio conference 2025. A photo of a projection on a screen with and a woman standing in front of it. Photo of a screen reading "We are the Light... Becoming Authors & Illustrators During Uncertain Times." A photo of a table showing some children's books.
October 12, 2025 at 5:14 PM
debbiepalen.bsky.social
My new postcards are here to take flight, and to land at the upcoming SCBWI conference. And for the monarchs' migration, too! Will I have time to make another? I hope so. #kidlit #kidlitillustrator #kidlitart #kidlitartist #illustratorpostcard #butterflyart #childrensillustration #childrensbooks
A photo showing a small stack of postcards , featuring the image of a butterfly garden and two girls looking at and taking pictures of butterflies .
September 19, 2025 at 9:08 PM
debbiepalen.bsky.social
Does anyone else festoon their books with flowers and pumpkins, or is it just me? For Free Spirit Publishing. Author: Connie Bergstein Dow. #kidlitart #kidlitartist #dancebooksforkids #picturebooks #kidlitillustrator #movementbooksforkids #childrensbooks #SEL #weneeddiversebooks #diversityinbooks
The cover of a book surrounded by autumn flower buds and pumpkins. Tap and Rap, Move and Groove is the title. An open book illustrated with dancing kids, and autumn flowers are placed around it. An open spread in a book surrounded by autumn flower buds. The illustrations show dancing children.
September 17, 2025 at 4:32 PM
debbiepalen.bsky.social
Endpapers @endpapers.bsky.social
An Accidental Hero: A Mostly True Wombat Story
Debbie Palen @debbiepalen.bsky.social #endpapers #kidlitart
Endpapers in a book show a repeat pattern of a wombat with dancing mice, a running rabbit, and a microphone.
September 5, 2025 at 10:20 PM
debbiepalen.bsky.social
It’s #KidLitArtPostcard Day! I love illustrating anthropomorphic animals. This piece is called "The Leaning Tower of Cheesa." Interested in #PB or #MG, chapter books, board books. Currently seeking an agent. dpalen@fmgirl.com debbiepalen.com #kidlitartpostcard2025 #kidlitart #kidlitartist #cheese
An excited childlike mouse is standing on a mushroom, posing for a photo with his foot up in the air. He is pretending to hold up a tower made of cheese with his raised foot, but the tower is actually in the background. In real life, this is the standard photo tourists pose for when visiting the leaning Tower of Pisa. A female mouse dressed as a tourist and another young mouse are in the middle ground; they are happy and taking a selfie. A few more tourist mice are in the far distance.
September 4, 2025 at 12:35 PM
debbiepalen.bsky.social
If you see this, quote post your cat art!
#cat #cats #kidlit #kidlitart #illustration
A variety of cats piled on top of each other in the shape of a mountain. There are mountains in the background. A blue bird flies by at the top of the pile and a kitten is looking at it.
August 27, 2025 at 8:08 PM
debbiepalen.bsky.social
It’s #KidLitArtPostcard Day! I'm looking for exciting books to illustrate and agent representation. PB, MG, Readers, SEL, themes of conservation, wildlife, animals, diversity, curious and expressive kids. debbiepalen.com dpalen@fmgirl.com #KidLitArtPostcardDay #kidlitartist #childrensillustration
An illustration of two girls in a colorful flower garden surrounded by various butterflies. One girl is taking pictures with a camera while a butterfly sits on her shoulder, and another girl is looking at a butterfly with a magnifying glass.
August 7, 2025 at 8:02 AM
debbiepalen.bsky.social
Just updated my portfolio with some of my book covers on my SCBWI profile. 7 out of 9 of these books were illustrated within the past 6 yrs. I'll be adding more illustrations soon. If you are a member, don't forget to vote for the Crystal Kite Awards; once in each division. #scbwi #kidlitart #kidlit
3 illustrated children's book covers . 3 illustrated children's book covers 3 illustrated children's book covers.
July 14, 2025 at 5:36 AM
debbiepalen.bsky.social
It's #KidLitArtPostcard Day! I'm a published illustrator looking for my next book and representation. This was originally a cover for a middle grade novel. PB, MG, SEL, environmental themes, animals, mischief and mayhem welcome. dpalen@fmgirl.com debbiepalen.com
See this book: tinyurl.com/2sd6mfkf
July 3, 2025 at 9:21 PM
debbiepalen.bsky.social
SCBWI members! Wombat humbly requests your vote. An Accidental Hero: A Mostly True Wombat Story is a finalist in the Crystal Kite Awards: Southwest Division. Thank you!
www.scbwi.org/crystal-kite
Author: Laura Roettiger @ljrwritenow.bsky.social
Illustrator: Debbie Palen
Eifrig Publishing #scbwi
A promotional graphic for a finalist in the SCBWI Crystal Kite Awards. Image Includes a book cover illustration of a wombat standing on a burned tree stump surrounded by other Australian animals. Title of book: An Accidental Hero: A Mostly True Wombat Story. Text announces that the book is listed as a finalist and voting in the Southwest Division ends July 19th. Headshots of both the author and the illustrator are in the corners.
July 2, 2025 at 6:39 PM
debbiepalen.bsky.social
It's Pollinator Week! Some illustrations I created for Ranger Rick magazine. It is a time to raise awareness for pollinators and spread the word about what we can do to protect them. Ideas on how to help: www.pollinator.org/pollinator-w... #kidlitartist #pollinatorweek #butterflyconservation
A planter full of flowers and pollinators, "the Pollination Station" is on a sign. 3 Kids studying butterflies in a butterfly garden Diverse kids interacting with monarchs in a butterfly garden.
June 18, 2025 at 7:27 PM
debbiepalen.bsky.social
SCBWI members! Midnight tonight is the last chance to vote in the first round for the Crystal Kite Awards. Wombat humbly requests your vote; Southwest Division:
www.scbwi.org/crystal-kite.... Author:@ljrwritenow.bsky.social
Check out this video too :
www.youtube.com/watch?v=YHIz...
#scbwi
Australian animals rushing toward a wombat and his burrow while a bush fire rages. Australian animals inside a wombat's burrow reading books and relaxing. A mouse with headphones is happily dancing
June 17, 2025 at 1:32 AM
debbiepalen.bsky.social
A little late for Memorial day, but it's still an interesting story.
I remembered that I had illustrated a decorated war hero for Ranger Rick so thought I'd post it. Meet Cher Ami, the most resilient and heroic carrier pigeon I've ever had the pleasure of drawing. www.thenmusa.org/biographies/...
A pigeon standing up with a crutch, bandages on wing, bandaids on throat, with metal canister on one leg used to hold a note, and the other leg off the ground. Bombs explode and clouds of smoke rise in the backgound; a battlefield of explosions. title reads: Cher Ami, subtitled: How a PIgeon Became a war hero.
May 27, 2025 at 8:18 AM
debbiepalen.bsky.social
I missed the official Kid Lit Postcard day; but I'm posting this here anyway (to be fair, without the hashtag). Looking for fun books or magazines , and agency. From a book cover for a reader for Red Chair Press. #kidlit #kidlitart #childrensbooks #childrensbookillustration #postcard #bullyingbooks
A growling bulldog in a fenced in yard with other animals who are afraid of him. Book cover of bulldog and interior illustrations of bulldog interacting with other animals in the yard.
May 2, 2025 at 8:41 PM
debbiepalen.bsky.social
Happy day after #WorldPenguinDay! April 25th coincides with the beginning of the annual migration of Adélie penguins, who begin preparing for their breeding season. Penguins face threats of melting sea ice, plastic pollution in oceans, and overfishing. For Ranger Rick #kidlitart #illustration
A large group of baby penguins on an ice flo. One is saying "Mama?"
April 26, 2025 at 5:31 AM
debbiepalen.bsky.social
Taking back the word tree-hugger. It's a wonderful thing. Spend some time with a tree and it can revitalize you. If you listen it might even talk to you. © d.palen #protecttheforests #kidlitart #kidlitforclimate #treehugger #childrensillustration #naturalist #earthdayart #kidlitartist #conservation
April 24, 2025 at 5:45 AM
debbiepalen.bsky.social
I'm taking the pledge for 10! One thing I do is subscribe to Ranger Rick magazine for the kids to raise their awareness and love of nature. I've also been an illustrator there for many years. Illustration © Debbie Palen (me). #earthday #kidlitart #childrensbooks #kidlitartist #earthdayillustration
2 children fixing up their backyard for many animals and wildlife to find shelter and thrive. a spread for Ranger Rick magazine titled "Get Earthy on Earth Day". Activities for kids and an illustration on how to turn your yard into a wild life refuge.
April 22, 2025 at 10:13 PM
debbiepalen.bsky.social
Happy 55th Earth Day, earthlings! I illustrated this activity spread for Ranger Rick once upon a time. "Charming" worms out of the ground is something I have not tried. (kids~don't try this on Arrakis!) #earthday #eathdayart #kidlitart #kidlitartist #ecology #childrensmagazines #childrensbooks
Kids in a backyard making homes for wildlife surrounded by backyard wildlife. Magazine layout showing activities kids can do to celebrate earth day.
April 22, 2025 at 6:35 PM
debbiepalen.bsky.social
Hello, #kidlitartpostcard day! I'm a published illustrator. This scene was from a book for Lerner. Interested in picture books, middle grade, chapter books, board books. dpalen@fmgirl.com. portfolio: debbiepalen.com. Seeking representation. #kidlitart #picturebooks #kidlitartist #kidlit
April 3, 2025 at 11:35 PM
debbiepalen.bsky.social
Hello, #kidlitartpostcard day! I'm a published children’s illustrator working toward authoring. This art is the start of a new book looking at boycotts and peaceful resistance. Portfolio: debbiepalen.com email: dpalen@fmgirl.com Seeking representation. #kidlitart #picturebooks #kidlitartist #kidlit
One young rabbit in wearing shorts in the foregraound, carrying a piggybank with ten other bunnies peeking out of their holes behind her.
March 6, 2025 at 7:03 PM
debbiepalen.bsky.social
A hug. Share a hug if you have one. #hug #kidlitart #illustration #treehugger #childrensbookillustration #kidlitartist #illustrator
A girl hugging a tree with a bird and a squirrel looking down at her. A chipmunk has come out of his hole in the trunk.
February 25, 2025 at 6:35 PM