5 Stunning MidJourney Illustration Styles for Children’s Books

Children’s book illustrations are essential to engaging young readers and bringing stories to life.

With tools like MidJourney, authors and illustrators now have an accessible, creative, and cost-effective way to produce professional-quality artwork. Using the — sref parameter, MidJourney allows you to replicate specific styles, ensuring consistent and stunning visuals across your book.

In this guide, we’ll explore five unique styles you can use for children’s book illustrations, each crafted to evoke a specific mood or tone.

From dreamy and whimsical to bold and dramatic, these styles provide a versatile starting point for your storytelling needs.

The prompts used here are all based on the same description — “a boy playing with a teddy bear in the woods” — to clearly show how each style transforms the same scene.

And remember, while the description remains the same, you can easily customize it to suit your story’s theme.

1. Dreamy Glowscape

illustration of a boy playing with a teddy bear in the woods --ar 1:1 --sref 2576491280 --stylize 350 --v 6.1

• Description: This style radiates warmth and magic, with glowing light and vibrant colours creating an inviting atmosphere. The soft edges and whimsical tones evoke a sense of wonder, making it perfect for heartwarming tales or bedtime stories.
• Prompt: illustration of a boy playing with a teddy bear in the woods --ar 1:1 --sref 2576491280 --stylize 350 --v 6.1
• Best For: Gentle, dreamlike stories that focus on friendship, kindness, or exploration.

This style is ideal for capturing the innocence of childhood, with visuals that feel comforting and magical. It’s especially suited for younger audiences, creating a sense of warmth and familiarity that enhances the storytelling experience.

2. Timeless Storybook Drama

illustration of a boy playing with a teddy bear in the woods --ar 1:1 --sref 3290949424 --stylize 250 --v 6.1

• Description: Bold contrasts, textured brushstrokes, and a vintage feel make this style perfect for classic tales or adventurous stories. The dramatic interplay of light and shadow adds depth and intrigue, giving the artwork a nostalgic yet dynamic quality.
• Prompt: illustration of a boy playing with a teddy bear in the woods --ar 1:1 --sref 3290949424 --stylize 250 --v 6.1
• Best For: Stories with a sense of mystery or excitement, such as adventurous journeys or historical settings.

This style works well for books aimed at slightly older children, offering a more mature and dramatic visual appeal. It’s also great for stories that feature themes of discovery or heroism.

3. Storybook Elegance

illustration of a boy playing with a teddy bear in the woods --ar 1:1 --sref 2802325796 --stylize 300 --v 6.1

• Description: Polished and sophisticated, this style feels right at home in high-end children’s books. With refined details and warm, muted tones, it conveys a sense of professionalism and artistic excellence.
• Prompt: illustration of a boy playing with a teddy bear in the woods --ar 1:1 --sref 2802325796 --stylize 300 --v 6.1
• Best For: Premium storybooks where the visuals need to match a high level of storytelling.

This style is perfect for books with themes of love, tradition, or heartfelt storytelling. Its upscale aesthetic makes it an excellent choice for stories intended as keepsakes or gifts.

4. Sketchbook Classic Charm

illustration of a boy playing with a teddy bear in the woods --ar 1:1 --sref 1693520784 --stylize 350 --v 6.1

• Description: With its hand-drawn aesthetic and pencil-like lines, this style has a timeless and nostalgic appeal. The muted tones and minimal detailing create a personal and heartfelt vibe, perfect for reflective or intimate stories.
• Prompt: illustration of a boy playing with a teddy bear in the woods --ar 1:1 --sref 1693520784 --stylize 350 --v 6.1
• Best For: Personal or nostalgic stories, as well as tales with a minimalist visual approach.

This style evokes a sense of simplicity and closeness, making it ideal for stories about family, traditions, or quiet moments. Its understated charm leaves room for the imagination while still offering visual appeal.

5. Expressive Textured Drama

illustration of a boy playing with a teddy bear in the woods --ar 1:1 --sref 1853646793 --stylize 350 --v 6.1

• Description: A bold, painterly style with rich colours and textured brushstrokes. This style has a moody yet captivating feel, perfect for stories with a hint of mystery or emotional depth. The dramatic tones and artistic flair make it stand out.
• Prompt: illustration of a boy playing with a teddy bear in the woods --ar 1:1 --sref 1853646793 --stylize 350 --v 6.1
• Best For: Adventurous, emotional, or suspenseful stories that need a visually striking touch.

This style is particularly effective for themes of bravery, exploration, or overcoming challenges. Its dramatic visuals draw readers into the story, enhancing its emotional impact.

Tips for Fine-Tuning Your Illustrations

To make your illustrations even more tailored to your story, consider these simple adjustments:

• Adjust the Stylize Value: The — stylize parameter controls how artistic or abstract your illustration looks. A higher value (e.g., 350) creates more creative, artistic outputs, while a lower value (e.g., 50) retains more realism and structure. Experiment to see what works best for your style.
• Change the Aspect Ratio: The — ar parameter lets you adjust the dimensions of your artwork. For square illustrations, use --ar 1:1, but if you need something wider or taller (e.g., for covers or two-page spreads), try --ar 16:9 or --ar 9:16.
• Refine Your Prompt: Adding details like “illustration, soft pastel tones” or “dynamic lighting, dramatic shadows” can fine-tune the results to better fit your vision.
• Experiment with Variations: MidJourney allows you to generate multiple variations of the same style. Don’t settle on the first result — iterate until you get the perfect look.

By combining these adjustments with the styles and prompts shared in this post, you’ll have everything you need to craft stunning, cohesive illustrations.

Ready to create your next masterpiece? Try out these prompts, and don’t forget to experiment with your own ideas. The possibilities are endless, and your unique style is just a tweak away!