Discover what makes a great picture book—from story structure to illustration style—with insights from a children’s book reviewer and illustrator.

Peek Inside Are You Bored?: Turning Everyday Moments into Meaningful Ones

What really happens when a child says, “I’m bored”? In this behind-the-scenes look at three spreads from Are You Bored?, author-illustrator Monika Marzec explores the hidden emotional needs behind boredom, messy rooms, and storytime. Backed by child psychology insights and practical tips for parents and educators, this post offers fresh ways to spark curiosity, creativity, and connection—one illustrated page at a time.

Dog Books Worth Barking About – Picture Book Picks to Celebrate Our Furry Friends

This month, in honor of Animal Rights Day and Biological Diversity Day on May 22, I’m celebrating stories about animals - starting with dogs. From silly breakfast-loving pups to heartwarming adoption tales, I’ve rounded up picture books that capture the humor, love, and loyalty of our four-legged friends. Whether you’re looking for a laugh-out-loud story or a gentle bedtime read, these dog-themed books are worth wagging your tail about. Book list link including free ebooks.

Books do more than teach kids how to read - they help them understand emotions, build empathy, and spark imagination. In my latest blog post, I’m sharing 5 simple ways parents can nurture a love of books at home - plus a behind-the-scenes look at how I create picture books that connect with kids.

Ever wondered how a picture book illustration comes to life?

In this behind-the-scenes post, I share my full step-by-step process - from rough sketch to final artwork - using Procreate. Learn how I build layers, add shadows and highlights, and bring emotion and detail into each page. Perfect for curious parents, aspiring illustrators, and anyone who loves children’s books.

I’m Monika - author, illustrator and teacherIf you’ve landed here, you’re probably a fellow book lover, a curious parent, a teacher, or someone who still believes in the magic of picture books. I’m so glad you’re here.

It all begins with an idea.

‘Are You Bored?’ started with one simple idea and turned into a book about the power of imagination, creativity, and finding joy in everyday moments. In this post, I share how the idea for the story came to life, what inspired the characters, and why I believe boredom can be a beautiful beginning.

Ever wondered what goes into illustrating a picture book? In this post, I take you behind the scenes of my children’s book Are You Bored? and show the full process of creating one illustration — from the first sketch to the final glowing details. Watch the time-lapse video and discover how characters, colors, and textures come to life on the page!