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Alina Manolache

@alpacasbookshelf

#kidlit illustrator, sometimes author, passionate about painting colorful, narrative illustrations. Portfolio: alpacasbookshelf.com

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Latest posts by Alina Manolache @alpacasbookshelf

Snowdrops are just so lovely and delicate aren't they? ❤️

07.03.2026 07:32 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
A little girl is surprised as she is given a snowdrop flower by her pink stuffed rabbit. They are outside sitting on a blanket on the ground.

A little girl is surprised as she is given a snowdrop flower by her pink stuffed rabbit. They are outside sitting on a blanket on the ground.

Happy #kidlitartpostcard day!

I'm Alina, a Romanian children's book illustrator. Happy spring everyone!

I'm seeking new #kidlit illustration projects like #boardbooks #picturebooks #earlyreader.

www.alpacasbookshelf.com/illustration

05.03.2026 15:50 👍 37 🔁 4 💬 1 📌 0

If you see this, post a rabbit 🐰

#kidlitart #illustration #rabbit

16.02.2026 08:01 👍 10 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0

Thank you!

05.02.2026 13:52 👍 0 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
A little girl and her dog are practicing their ballet dance moves.

A little girl and her dog are practicing their ballet dance moves.

Happy #kidlitartpostcard day!

I'm Alina, a Romanian children's book illustrators and I enjoy creating narrative illustrations with a lot of color.

I'm seeking new #kidlit illustration projects like #boardbooks #picturebooks #earlyreader.

www.alpacasbookshelf.com/illustration

#kidlitart

05.02.2026 07:00 👍 50 🔁 5 💬 1 📌 0

If you see this, post your green art 🌳

#kidtlitart #artshare #ifyouseethis #illustration

02.02.2026 06:56 👍 12 🔁 1 💬 0 📌 0
A grey rabbit in a pretty blue polka-dot dress with a carrot-patterned apron over it holds up a two-tiered carrot cake that she has just baked and frosted. The cake holds a single lit candle. This was drawn as a Draw This in Your Style challenge: The original character design was by Anastasiia Panchenko (@lapin.siia on IG)

A grey rabbit in a pretty blue polka-dot dress with a carrot-patterned apron over it holds up a two-tiered carrot cake that she has just baked and frosted. The cake holds a single lit candle. This was drawn as a Draw This in Your Style challenge: The original character design was by Anastasiia Panchenko (@lapin.siia on IG)

A sunny summer scene at a tiny tea table outside a rustic cottage surrounded by bushes and trees. A young witch, surrounded by frogs and wearing purple robes and a witch's hat, talks animatedly to an ordinary looking boy. They're both holding teacups but he's looking VERY nervously at his, and also at the frog on the table.
The book title reads "The Tea Witch's Retreat" with the author's name "Christina Warwick."

A sunny summer scene at a tiny tea table outside a rustic cottage surrounded by bushes and trees. A young witch, surrounded by frogs and wearing purple robes and a witch's hat, talks animatedly to an ordinary looking boy. They're both holding teacups but he's looking VERY nervously at his, and also at the frog on the table. The book title reads "The Tea Witch's Retreat" with the author's name "Christina Warwick."

Luigi (from the Mario Bros games) in a rockabilly style. He's got a black and green bowling shirt in with an "L" embroidered on his chest, rolled-cuff jeans and Converse All-Stars. He's also got a large pompadour, sideburns, and lots of Mario-related tattoos. He's holding a large plumber's wrench.

Luigi (from the Mario Bros games) in a rockabilly style. He's got a black and green bowling shirt in with an "L" embroidered on his chest, rolled-cuff jeans and Converse All-Stars. He's also got a large pompadour, sideburns, and lots of Mario-related tattoos. He's holding a large plumber's wrench.

In a dark nighttime hallway with huge arched windows, a girl and a werewolf (also a girl) are sneaking around. Both are wearing school uniforms, although the werewolf's has ripped a bit from her transformation. She has just knocked over a small table and broken a vase and the girl is shushing her. Through one of the large windows, we see more school buildings and a full moon.
The book cover title is "Boarding School Werewolf" by Jo Barnett. At the top of the cover, it says "School can be a transformative experience."

In a dark nighttime hallway with huge arched windows, a girl and a werewolf (also a girl) are sneaking around. Both are wearing school uniforms, although the werewolf's has ripped a bit from her transformation. She has just knocked over a small table and broken a vase and the girl is shushing her. Through one of the large windows, we see more school buildings and a full moon. The book cover title is "Boarding School Werewolf" by Jo Barnett. At the top of the cover, it says "School can be a transformative experience."

Because it's my birthday, you have to repost my art. 🎂
(I don't make the rules, that's just the way it is on Bluesky!)

#kidLitArt #kidLit #illustration #art #birthday

02.02.2026 00:54 👍 94 🔁 51 💬 8 📌 0
A collage of four images: 
top left: The detective (a young girl) finally finds what she was looking for, after following the trail of clues, a birthday party for herself! The scene shows the detective looking through the door at her friends who are a bit surprised to find her there so early!

top right: an illustration of a rescue center for marine life in the background while the foreground has a group of three women who are helping a turtle get back into the water.

bottom left: A little girl and her dog are practicing their ballet dance moves.

bottom right: A druid is enjoying the smell of lilac. An image of a girl with leaves and flowers in her hair, branches coming out above her ears, with a background of a bright sun, leaning towards a lilac flower.

A collage of four images: top left: The detective (a young girl) finally finds what she was looking for, after following the trail of clues, a birthday party for herself! The scene shows the detective looking through the door at her friends who are a bit surprised to find her there so early! top right: an illustration of a rescue center for marine life in the background while the foreground has a group of three women who are helping a turtle get back into the water. bottom left: A little girl and her dog are practicing their ballet dance moves. bottom right: A druid is enjoying the smell of lilac. An image of a girl with leaves and flowers in her hair, branches coming out above her ears, with a background of a bright sun, leaning towards a lilac flower.

Hi #PortfolioDay!

I'm Alina, a Romanian children's book illustrator and I enjoy creating narrative illustrations with a bit of humor sprinkled in.

I'm looking for new illustration projects.

🖥️ www.alpacasbookshelf.com

✉️alina@alpacasbookshelf.com

#kidlitart #picturebooks
#earlyreaders #kidlit

13.01.2026 12:49 👍 14 🔁 3 💬 6 📌 0
an illustration of a rescue center for marine life in the background while the foreground has a group of three women who are helping a turtle get back into the water.

an illustration of a rescue center for marine life in the background while the foreground has a group of three women who are helping a turtle get back into the water.

Happy #kidlitartpostcard day!

I'm Alina, a Romanian children's book illustrators and I enjoy creating narrative illustrations with a lot of color.

I'm seeking new #kidlit illustration projects like #boardbooks #picturebooks #earlyreader.

🖥️ www.alpacasbookshelf.com/illustration

08.01.2026 16:21 👍 46 🔁 6 💬 0 📌 0
A little girl and her dog are practicing their ballet dance moves.

A little girl and her dog are practicing their ballet dance moves.

Potions class at the Squirrel Wizarding School is interrupted when a student's incantation goes awry, transforming him into a sheep.

Potions class at the Squirrel Wizarding School is interrupted when a student's incantation goes awry, transforming him into a sheep.

A comical scene unfolds on a tropical beach, where a rabbit wizard is levitating an exceptionally agile pika to the top of an ancient temple, so that they can claim the enormous emerald sitting above the entrance. Although triumph is within reach, the statues are coming to life around them.

A comical scene unfolds on a tropical beach, where a rabbit wizard is levitating an exceptionally agile pika to the top of an ancient temple, so that they can claim the enormous emerald sitting above the entrance. Although triumph is within reach, the statues are coming to life around them.

In kindergarten Anna discovered she doesn't need her teddy bear after all. The room is filled with children listening attentively to their teacher who reads them a story.

In kindergarten Anna discovered she doesn't need her teddy bear after all. The room is filled with children listening attentively to their teacher who reads them a story.

Hi, this sounds like an awesome project!

I love fantasy but I've never done an illustration that has humans using magic which is weird and something I'll fix in the future. Thank you for the idea!

Here are a few illustrations with magic and some with humans.

Thank you!

www.alpacasbookshelf.com

08.01.2026 08:26 👍 2 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Hey illustrators/agents!

I’m a #kidlit art director starting work on a new picture book—we’re looking for: expressive, commercial, human characters; fantasy; magic; AND Mahjong! The tiles! The drama!

Please respond w/ samples + folio link.
Please no emails/DMs.

💙❤️ #artcommissions

07.01.2026 20:12 👍 175 🔁 101 💬 66 📌 1

He's adorable! <3

20.12.2025 07:38 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0

I need some #KidLitArt pals to please go do this survey.

It's not only concept artists/ comic book artists affected, but children's illustrators are often left out studies/convos involving this.

19.12.2025 23:18 👍 27 🔁 24 💬 0 📌 0

Lovely illustration! I know it's not the point of the illustration but that tree looks gorgeous!

16.12.2025 14:37 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0
an illustration of a rescue center for marine life in the background while the foreground has a group of three women who are helping a turtle get back into the water.

an illustration of a rescue center for marine life in the background while the foreground has a group of three women who are helping a turtle get back into the water.

Super happy to say that my "Sandcastle Rescue Center" illustration is included in the Better Together issue of
@littlethoughtspress.com!

The full issue has a ton of inspiring art ❤️

If anyone is interested in the issue here is the link: littlethoughtspress.gumroad.com/l/ltpmag12

#kidlitart

16.12.2025 08:18 👍 7 🔁 2 💬 0 📌 0

Thank you! 💙

04.12.2025 17:22 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Such an adorable expression on the little dog! Love it!

04.12.2025 14:45 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0
Mister and Misses Claus are flying on their magical sleigh bringing children presents for Christmas. Misses Claus is reading the map looking where to go next while Santa Clause is sending a few gifts down the chimney.&quot;

Mister and Misses Claus are flying on their magical sleigh bringing children presents for Christmas. Misses Claus is reading the map looking where to go next while Santa Clause is sending a few gifts down the chimney.&quot;

Happy #kidlitartpostcard day!

I'm Alina, a Romanian children's book illustrators. I enjoy creating narrative illustrations with lots of color and a bit of humor.

I'm seeking new #kidlit illustration projects like #boardbooks #picturebooks #earlyreader.

04.12.2025 11:11 👍 67 🔁 5 💬 1 📌 0
A collage of images. First illustration has a young girl using a magnifying glass to look at the label on a package that she found. We see that the label is ripped and the word remaining on it is "loons". 

The second illustration shows the same girl from the first illustration interviewing a young boy who is holding a balloon. We then see in the same illustration, that the girl followed the boy to a house.

The third illustration shows the same girl as the first two illustrations walking into a room where more children are holding up balloons and adding candles to a cake. They have thrown a surprised birthday party for our girl protagonist and she followed the clues to find the party.

The last illustration shows a young boy holding a candle walking towards his mother who's putting a pumpkin in the window. The boy is surprised to see his dog as he reaches the high table and tries to pull down another carved pumpkin.

A collage of images. First illustration has a young girl using a magnifying glass to look at the label on a package that she found. We see that the label is ripped and the word remaining on it is "loons". The second illustration shows the same girl from the first illustration interviewing a young boy who is holding a balloon. We then see in the same illustration, that the girl followed the boy to a house. The third illustration shows the same girl as the first two illustrations walking into a room where more children are holding up balloons and adding candles to a cake. They have thrown a surprised birthday party for our girl protagonist and she followed the clues to find the party. The last illustration shows a young boy holding a candle walking towards his mother who's putting a pumpkin in the window. The boy is surprised to see his dog as he reaches the high table and tries to pull down another carved pumpkin.

Hi #PortfolioDay!

I'm Alina, a Romanian children's book illustrator and lately I've been fascinated by creating images centered around mystery and humor.

I'm looking for new illustration projects.

🖥️ www.alpacasbookshelf.com

✉️alina@alpacasbookshelf.com

#kidlitart #picturebooks
#mg #kidlit

14.10.2025 11:42 👍 18 🔁 3 💬 0 📌 0
In kindergarten Anna discovered she doesn't need her teddy bear after all. The room is filled with children listening attentively to their teacher who reads them a story.

In kindergarten Anna discovered she doesn't need her teddy bear after all. The room is filled with children listening attentively to their teacher who reads them a story.

Happy #kidlitartpostcard day!

I'm Alina, a Romanian children's book illustrator, I enjoy creating narrative illustrations with lots of color and a bit of humor.

I'm seeking new #kidlit illustration projects like #boardbooks #picturebooks #earlyreader.

🖥️ www.alpacasbookshelf.com/illustration

02.10.2025 10:53 👍 52 🔁 3 💬 0 📌 0

Hey #kidlit illustrators!

We’re beginning to think through a mythology-themed beginning-reader series. I'm looking for someone w/ a commercial/punchy, character-forward style who can breath life into ancient lore.

Please respond w/ samples + folio link.
Please no emails/DMs.

💙❤️ #artcommissions

19.09.2025 14:27 👍 159 🔁 82 💬 66 📌 4
After eating the berries that were gifted to them, a chipmunk and a squirrel awake in a parallel world of perpetual night barely in time to catch a glimpse of the real world versions of themselves who are now in deep slumber.

After eating the berries that were gifted to them, a chipmunk and a squirrel awake in a parallel world of perpetual night barely in time to catch a glimpse of the real world versions of themselves who are now in deep slumber.

Mister and Misses Claus are flying on their magical sleigh bringing children presents for Christmas. Misses Claus is reading the map looking where to go next while Santa Clause is sending a few gifts down the chimney.

Mister and Misses Claus are flying on their magical sleigh bringing children presents for Christmas. Misses Claus is reading the map looking where to go next while Santa Clause is sending a few gifts down the chimney.

That sounds like a wonderful setting!

Portfolio: www.alpacasbookshelf.com/illustration

16.09.2025 10:13 👍 2 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Elemental art share featuring water🌊

If you see this, post something watery! 💧

#kidlitart #artshare

10.09.2025 07:56 👍 6 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Thank you! ❤️

05.09.2025 05:37 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

Love their expressions!

04.09.2025 17:09 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 1 📌 0

Thank you! <3

04.09.2025 15:55 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0
The detective (a young girl) finally finds what she was looking for, after following the trail of clues, a birthday party for herself! The scene shows the detective looking through the door at her friends who are a bit surprised to find her there so early!

The detective (a young girl) finally finds what she was looking for, after following the trail of clues, a birthday party for herself! The scene shows the detective looking through the door at her friends who are a bit surprised to find her there so early!

Happy #kidlitartpostcard day!

I'm Alina, I enjoy creating narrative illustrations. Lately I've been drawn into the world of mystery, expanding my portfolio to include B&W illustrations.

Seeking #kidlit illustration projects: #picturebooks #earlyreader #mg #chapterbooks

www.alpacasbookshelf.com

04.09.2025 14:20 👍 57 🔁 3 💬 1 📌 0

@debbieohi.com has an awesome page dedicated to creating picture books, including useful templates debbieohi.com/resources/fo...

If you were looking for resources focused on learning:

www.nma.art/courses/pict... - Larissa's course is awesome!
www.svslearn.com/courses - kidlit illustration classes

04.09.2025 07:39 👍 4 🔁 1 💬 1 📌 0
A little boy is playing pretend in his room with his dog. The boy is a knight rocking on his wooden horse holding a lance-broom in his hand while his dog is barking excitedly dressed as a dragon.

A little boy is playing pretend in his room with his dog. The boy is a knight rocking on his wooden horse holding a lance-broom in his hand while his dog is barking excitedly dressed as a dragon.

Happy #NationalDogDay ! 🐶

#kidliart

26.08.2025 17:27 👍 9 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0

yes! 💯

26.08.2025 06:13 👍 1 🔁 0 💬 0 📌 0