Julia Bellini's New Board Books with Image Group Holland

We’re pleased to announce Julia Bellini’s debut collaboration with Image Group Holland on a new series of board books, Happy Smiles. These interactive books follow Horse and Bear as they discover how even the smallest moments can spark joy.

Julia shared her experience working on the series:

“Working on this project was a really rewarding experience. I loved the theme, where the characters discover how even the smallest moments can bring the biggest smiles. It truly felt like we created this book with a smile throughout.

The work was quite intense, especially with the end-of-year holidays shortening the deadline. The exchanges with the art director were fast-moving, but always positive, and we shared some great moments of laughter along the way.

This was my first project with this publisher, and the launch of a new series. The collaboration was very enjoyable, thanks to the art director, who created a motivating atmosphere despite the challenges.

One of the main difficulties was the interactive element. The book includes a detachable puzzle piece, and the challenge was integrating it into the illustrations in a natural and discreet way. Since the piece is quite large, it required careful composition to balance the limited space while keeping each spread engaging for children.

I also loved the colour palette. We chose it with great care, and it really supports the joyful atmosphere of the books.

It’s a series that perfectly reflects its name, ‘Happy Smiles.’”

If you’d like to work with Julia, please contact: [email protected]

At illo agency, we pride ourselves in representing a collation of global illustrators, distinctly diverse in creativity and uniquely celebrated by like-minded clients across a range of commercial markets.