Something New! Highlights Hidden Picture (The Corona Virus 2019 Edition)

Highlights is really one of the best companies to freelance for, I have always said! Things have changed a lot over this past decade, but they never cease to appreciate their illustrators! So with this odd time of the world shutting down and sheltering because of a very-bad-no-good virus, they have found ways to be relevant, helpful, and continue to educate and amuse kids! I am grateful and honored to be one of many illustrators commissioned to do a special HP to reflect the this period of time. These Hidden Picture illustrations were published on social media sites such as Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, where kids and adults alike can find the hidden objects, and maybe even identify with the scene. I know I do! My contribution is below, including some closeups. Thank you, Highlights, for all you do!

(c) Highlights For Children/Paula J. Becker 2020

Something New! "Officer Dog" Graphic Story/Comic!

I illustrated this simple graphic story/panel comic was for High Five magazine, a really super magazine for little kids. It was so fun to work on and interpret the story and characters.

Please check out High Five magazine for your kids! There are things to learn and do, besides entertaining stories and silly stuff/jokes!

Something New! High Five Halloween Spread!

I was so excited when I finally saw how this illustration spread I did for High Five magazine turned out in print! It’s a “That’s Silly!” for the October 2019 issue. I had a blast working with the art director with the layout and coming up with all the “sillies”. I did a mix of some line and a more painterly style, as well as textures. A bit different than my line work. I hope the kids enjoy finding all the silly things as much as I did drawing them! Thanks, Highlights/High Five!

I love how these were isolated!

Something New! Highlights Puzzle--Check-Double-Check

It’s always a treat and privilege to do some work for the amazing Highlights magazine! I was given the task of doing a puzzle depicting a bicycle race across the African Savanna—with animals bicycling, of course! I had such a fun time illustrating these cute characters! Then I made subtle changes to the same illustration, which is the fun part—to find the differences! See if you can, too, if you will!

Magazine Illustration: "Allison is an Astronaut"

I had a load of fun working on this spread for the July 2018 issue of High Five magazine! This poem, “Allison Is an Astronaut”  by Barbara L. Scanian was such fun to create a scene for! Since I’ve been taking up star gazing again, I enjoyed recreating a solar system mobile, books about stars and planets, sketches that “Allison” drew, and that fun star background.  I’ve been using a bit of collage in my illustrations  again, seen on the floor and the star background. And besides the poem, this is a puzzle, too. Look for the letter “A” hidden throughout the illustration.

Such fun! It was great to work with Kelley Cunningham Lanuto on this! Thanks again, Kelley!

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