Moira Ratchford
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moiraratchford.bsky.social
Moira Ratchford
@moiraratchford.bsky.social
170 followers 110 following 87 posts
Author-illustrator known for vibrant, quirky characters. www.moiraratchford.com. Interested in kidlit art & licensing. Huge fan of birds, chai & fireflies. Tassy Walden Illustrator Award. Seeking representation. SCBWI. She/her
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moiraratchford.bsky.social
If you need a little lift today, how about a pigeon juggling garbage-can finds? From a book I recently illustrated: "A Boy, A Pigeon, and a Place to Call Home," by Susan Chodakiewitz.

#kidlitillustration #kidlitart #childrensillustration #childrensbooks #picturebooks #pigeons
Purple pigeon collecting garbage to build a home.
November 13, 2025 at 7:54 PM
moiraratchford.bsky.social
Happy #KidLitArtPostcard day! Imagining the Owl and the Pussycat's "pea-green boat" as a giant peapod.

I'm Moira, an illustrator known for my quirky, offbeat characters. Open to PBs, BBs, early readers, chapter books. #kidlitart #kidlit Seeking representation.

www.moiraratchford.com/kidlit
The Owl and the Pussycat, in a peapod boat.
November 6, 2025 at 6:55 PM
moiraratchford.bsky.social
As Breast Cancer Awareness Month comes to a close, here's a feisty little llama to raise awareness and morale going forward!

#breastcancer #gopink #breastcancerawarenessmonth #artlicensing
Pink llama with breast cancer pink ribbon: Keep Calm and Fight On
October 31, 2025 at 4:16 PM
moiraratchford.bsky.social
Happy Halloween, everybody! 🎃🧹🧙

#kidlitillustration #kidlitart #childrensillustration #childrensbooks #picturebooks
Cat Witch zooming into the night sky on her broom. Two cats on a wall comment: "Wow, she must have gotten the turbo model!"
October 31, 2025 at 3:52 PM
moiraratchford.bsky.social
Here's another entry for the "Travel" prompt of #scbwidrawthis.  When going on a camping trip, always make sure your backpack doesn't weigh more than you do ~ 😅

#kidlitillustration #kidlitart #childrensillustration #childrensbooks
Gooseberry's backpack is clearly a little too heavy!
September 19, 2025 at 9:02 PM
moiraratchford.bsky.social
This is my entry for the latest #scbwidrawthis, with the prompt of "Travel." Provence is my favorite travel destination. What's yours?
#kidlitillustration #kidlitart #childrensillustration #childrensbooks
A nutty group of animals on a road trip through Provence.
September 19, 2025 at 8:45 PM
moiraratchford.bsky.social
Happy #KidLitArtPostcard day! Summer surely brings tourist rats to the famous garbage cans of NYC.

I'm Moira, an illustrator known for my quirky, offbeat characters. Open to PBs, BBs, early readers, chapter books. #kidlitart #kidlit Seeking representation.

Portfolio: www.moiraratchford.com/kidlit
Mafia rat in trenchcoat and fedora guards his territory and tells a tourist rat, "Scram, punk".
August 7, 2025 at 7:00 PM
moiraratchford.bsky.social
Just because your friend uses wheels to get around doesn't mean they can't enjoy pool time with you! When there's a will, there's a way! Cheers for Disability Pride Month!
#kidlit #kidlitart #picturebooks #diversebooks
Kids tossing a beach ball in a pool, with dog watching, wheelchair in foreground.
July 22, 2025 at 7:15 PM
moiraratchford.bsky.social
Happy #KidLitArtPostcard day! I'm Moira, an illustrator who creates quirky characters in watercolor, pencil and ink. Seeking representation and new projects! PBs, BBs, early readers, & chapter books. #kidlitart #kidlit
Portfolio: www.moiraratchford.com/kidlit
Sheep carrying towering tray of cupcakes, slips on a banana peel, and the cupcakes end up everywhere, much to his boss' chagrin.
June 5, 2025 at 6:05 PM
moiraratchford.bsky.social
Want a little joy with your morning coffee? I now have Easter and Mother’s Day-themed mugs in my shop! Shop small, support an artist. 😊🎨
www.moiraratchford.com/shop

#eastergifts #mothersdaygifts #supportsmallbusiness #shopsmall #smallbusiness #catgifts
Mug showing watercolor Easter chick with rabbit ears and violets. Easter gift. Mug with cat in yoga pose and the text "Mamaste", Mother's Day gift. Mug with funny bird holding bouquet of flowers, and the text: "Love you a bunch!" Mother's day gift or birthday gift. Mug with "Love you a bunch!" text. Mother's Day gift or birthday gift.
March 25, 2025 at 7:39 PM
moiraratchford.bsky.social
Hi! I'm Moira, an illustrator who creates quirky characters in watercolor, pencil and ink. I'm interested in PBs, CBs and Early Readers. I'd love to work together with you! Thank you
@debbieohi.com! #kidlitart #kidlit

www.moiraratchford.com
A sheep who works at a bakery is carrying a tray of cupcakes and slips on a banana peel. He ends up with cupcakes all over, much to the consternation of his boss.
February 12, 2025 at 6:33 PM
moiraratchford.bsky.social
Happy #KidLitArtPostcard day! I'm Moira, an illustrator who creates quirky characters in watercolor, pencil and ink. Seeking representation and new projects! #kidlitart #kidlitartpostcard #picturebooks #kidlit

Website: moiraratchford.com
Puppy causing chaos with a cat at a birthday party.
February 6, 2025 at 6:24 PM
moiraratchford.bsky.social
Valentine-themed mugs are now up in my shop! Grumpy cat is my personal favorite. Give your loved ones a unique, artist-made gift that they won't find anywhere else (and most definitely not on Amazon). 😊 www.moiraratchford.com/shop
#catlover #catlady #catmom #valentinegifts
Grumpy cat decorated with hearts, wishing you a "happy freakin' valentine's". Two birds cuddling on a branch: "Together is my favorite place to be" A female sheep with a heart and the caption, "Love ewe".
January 16, 2025 at 9:34 PM
moiraratchford.bsky.social
Happy #kidlitpostcard Day!
I'm Moira, an illustrator who creates quirky characters in watercolor, ink and pencil. Seeking representation and new projects! #kidlitart #kidlitartpostcard #kidlitpostcardday #picturebooks #kidlit
Website: moiraratchford.com
Quirky old lady with parrot on head and anteater friend knitting in front of her pink RV.
December 5, 2024 at 5:36 PM
moiraratchford.bsky.social
(Let me try this post again, because for some reason the link didn't work). More cat mugs are available, printed from my original watercolors! A completely unique gift that you won't find anywhere else. www.moiraratchford.com/shop
#catlover #catlady #cats #catmom #catsofbluesky
December 2, 2024 at 8:32 PM
moiraratchford.bsky.social

‪I decided to look him up, and I see that he wrote children's books about the "plot" to overthrow "King Donald". And this is the guy to head up the FBI??? I feel like I have stepped into a scene from Alice in Wonderland, and the Mad Hatter is running the show.
Cover of "The Plot Against the King", children's book by Kash Patel.
December 1, 2024 at 2:57 PM
moiraratchford.bsky.social
Time for pie!!! Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving! 🦃
#kidlitart #childrensillustration #childrensbooks #picturebooks #kidlitillustration
November 27, 2024 at 6:24 PM
moiraratchford.bsky.social
I'm finally putting my art on mugs! Chill out with Zen Cat, printed from one of my original watercolors. Support an artist at www.moiraratchford.com/shop
#cats #catlady #catmom #catsofbluesky #catlover
Blue "Zen Cat" sitting in lotus yoga pose, meditating.
November 26, 2024 at 10:06 PM
moiraratchford.bsky.social
This is my entry for SCBWI's Draw This prompt of "Nerd." Nerds are superheroes!
#childrensbooks #childrensbooksillustration #picturebookart #picturebooks #kidlitillustration #kidlitart #science #childrensillustration
Girl chemist mixing together a scientific formula for saving the planet while her cat sleeps.
November 19, 2024 at 8:03 PM
moiraratchford.bsky.social
Thanks so much, Debbie!
I'm Moira Ratchford, a watercolor/digital artist who would love to work on PBs, early readers and chapter books.

My portfolio is at www.moiraratchford.com/kidlit
An old Citroen car full of party animals, being followed by a rabbit in a Vespa, on a road trip through Provence, France.
November 12, 2024 at 11:40 PM
moiraratchford.bsky.social
For yesterday's @andreabrownlit prompt of "Green Thumb." I originally created this illustration for Earth Day, but fall is also the perfect time to plant trees! 🌳
#childrensbooks #picturebookart #picturebooks #childrensbookart #kidlitillustration #kidlitart #childrensillustration #ABLArtfest
Two bears planting a tree with a banner, "Love the Earth."
October 28, 2024 at 3:38 PM
moiraratchford.bsky.social
Posting for yesterday's @andreabrownlit prompt of "Homework." Sure, you can whip out the homework before Mom even gets close, but believe me, she's got eyes in the back of her head. 😳
#childrensbooks #picturebookart #picturebooks #kidlitillustration #kidlitart #childrensillustration #ABLArtfest
Cats playing, making a mess, while the older one warns, "Get out your homework, Mom is back!"
October 22, 2024 at 12:39 AM
moiraratchford.bsky.social
Hi Brian, thank you for offering us all this chance. It's very kind of you, and much appreciated.
Sheep walking with tray of cupcakes, slips on banana peel, the cupcakes go everywhere. So he asks, "Cupcakes, anyone?"
October 19, 2024 at 5:40 PM
moiraratchford.bsky.social
Wishing you all a Happy Spooky Season! 🎃 Definitely putting "Turbo Broomstick" on my holiday wishlist.... 😹
#childrensbooks #childrensbooksillustration #picturebookart #picturebooks #kidlitillustration #kidlitart #scbwiillustrators #childrensillustration #kidlit
Two cats watching a cat-witch zoom into the twilight sky on a broomstick.
October 17, 2024 at 5:27 PM
moiraratchford.bsky.social
Post for today's SCBWI Artober prompt of "Bake." Note to self: when carrying a tray full of cupcakes, watch where you're going!
#childrensbooks #childrensbooksillustration #picturebookart #picturebooks #kidlitillustration #kidlitart #scbwiillustrators #childrensillustration #scbwiArtober2024
Sheep carrying a tray of cupcakes slips on a banana peel and ends up with cupcakes all over.
October 15, 2024 at 7:08 PM