More catching up! This was a Hidden Picture puzzle I created for Highlights. It ended up in the May 2022 issue of High Five magazine! It was a lot of fun to put together and turn it into a Three Little Pigs scene. I envisioned that the pigs built block houses when they were little piglets, all before they built their houses that Wolf blew down. Except the brick one. I wonder which of these piglets built that one…? My thanks to Highlights and High Five magazine for the fun project to work on!
Something New! Chirp Magazine & Farmers' Market Puzzle Spread!
I get such fun projects! This is a magazine spread illustration for Owl Publishing’s Chirp magazine, the April ‘21 edition, depicting a farmers’ market, with a few puzzles built in. I debated over whether to use an outline/cartoonish style or not, and in the end went without. I like working both way and this one I felt would be just fine to do either way, so it was just a in-the-moment call. Since it’s still the covid era with restrictions, we opted to not do a large crowd, so that kept it simpler. I also added fun textures all over. Hope kids enjoy the puzzles and learn! I always do!
Something New! High Five Magazine Spread: "Art With Friends"
I’m a little behind with keeping up with the blog and posting new, printed work, but hey! This two-page spread hidden picture illustration was created for the December 2020 issue of High Five magazine. I enjoyed working out the bedroom this little boy was making art in! And how cute, that his “friends” are stuffed animals! They seem making some nice art there—all of them! I hope the kids enjoy the illustration, as well as finding the hidden items in the spread. Thanks, High Five!
Something New! High Five Magazine Spread: "School Supplies"!
It’’s always special to do anything for Highlights For Children, and when the art director asked me to create an illustration spread for the September 2020 issue of High Five magazine, I of course said yes! This is for their “That’s Silly!” segment in each magazine, where kids find as many “silly” items in the scene as they can. It is a good educational tool which is fun and humorous as well! Below are samples of the spread as well as closeups. I hope the kids had a few laughs as they looked over this scene! I know it was pretty fun to create!
Something New! High Five Magazine "That's Silly!" Spash Park Spread Illustration
It’s always a treat and blessing to do work for Highlights and High Five magazine! This “That’s Silly!” spread is for the June 2020 issue, and features a splash park full of kids keeping cool—along with unusual and “silly things. See if you can find the “sillies” yourself! Below are close-ups of the illustration to make it easier to see. Have fun and have a happy, cool, safe summer! And be sure and check out High Five and Highlights magazines and books. They care about your kids and do a wonderful job of making it fun to learn—or just plain have fun!
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! "Wacky Wetland Tours" Puzzle Maze
It was really fun to work on this Maze/Puzzle spread for the spring 2020 issue of Chickadee magazine! Samples are below. Check out Owlkids other magazines and books! Your kids will learn a lot and have fun at the same time!
(c) Owlkids/Chickadee Magazine/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!
