This might just be me, but have you thought about cropping out the tops of the trees? They seem like arrows drawing my eyes away from the action and off of the top of the page.

I love you style! Just to throw my 2 cents in. I like the two girls in the background. It makes me think that they are going to pick up their rabbit from its hare cut and lends some urgency to Lucy's problem. I don't think she needs the leash though. The angle of her right arm does throw me off a little bit.

That's amazing. Congratulations!

I love the idea and the story behind it. I think the bear cub on the right is too aligned with the tree. maybe you could turn his head slightly toward the center of the composition so we could see a little bit of his snout.

I like the concept of fixing complicated machinery with duct tape. With both of your characters facing off of the page I have a hard time getting 'into' the middle of your composition. Have you tried Lucy in the bottom left and Dad in the top right?

@Charlie-Eve-Ryan. Thank you very much for your input. Off to work I go!

I justed watched Lee White's business class and it is great! It was everything that I needed to hear when I was in art school. After watching it, I think that at this point in life I want to pursue educational book illustrations. Call me boring, but with twin toddlers, I could use an overly art directed path. Plus, before kids and after art school, I was a teacher so it just kind of fits.
In putting together a portfolio, do I include pretty much the same things that would be in a trade book illustrators portfolio? Does anyone have any advice or have someplace they can point me to for help?
Thanks!

You do such nice work!

I really love you thursday morning doodle. I like the others as well, but that one is so unique and charming. Have you tried doing a cutesy looking character. I have no idea what I am talking about in terms of children's books, but I would think art directors would want to see a little bit of cute

I really like this piece. Your painting style is really nice. You made it look like pastels. I am struggling with painting and it is nice to see that someone else has been able to push themselves to this quality of work.