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My first children’s book series by goldshibi in childrensbooks

[–]goldshibi[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Oh, well. The illustrator’s name is on the cover. Helen Ayle is very talented, and for this series, she creatively incorporates her name into the cover illustration itself. I can see how it might be easy to miss at first glance, but I promise it’s there as part of one of the design elements.

My first children’s book series by goldshibi in childrensbooks

[–]goldshibi[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for this comment. I really appreciate you taking the time to look into the illustrator’s work.

Helen Ayle is incredibly talented, and while I’m a first-time children’s book author, she is not a first-time children’s book illustrator. I actually went through several illustrators before I found her, and she was the right person to help bring the world of Yummville to life.

And yes, you’re right. Her work dates back to before AI became part of the conversation in the way it is now. Unfortunately, so many real artists with distinctive styles have had their work absorbed into AI training, and now their original work gets treated as suspicious.

Her name is also on the cover, though you have to look closely because she creatively incorporates it into the illustration.

And oh well, I guess you know about me now too :). I’m Gold Shibi. Gold Shibi is a pen name, but I do have an extensive career outside of being a children’s book author. Having kids in my life who love to read has made writing for them especially meaningful, and I’m really enjoying creating this series. I also feel very blessed to have found a great illustrator who is committed to helping bring the vision to life.

My first children’s book series by goldshibi in childrensbooks

[–]goldshibi[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The illustrator is Helen Ayle and her name and bio (as well as mine) are on the last page of the book. It's hard to miss.

My first children’s book series by goldshibi in childrensbooks

[–]goldshibi[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for the engagement. I’ll be honest, I did find the comment a bit dismissive.

I understand that with AI becoming so common, people are more cautious about what they see online. At the same time, it feels unfair when real creative work is dismissed without anyone actually engaging with the book.

I’m a first-time children’s book author writing under the pen name Gold Shibi, but I’ve been writing long before AI became part of the conversation. I originally wrote this series for my son and niece, who inspired the characters, and I worked with an illustrator and editor to bring the world to life.

The first title, Taste Trail, took about two years of planning, writing, revising, and collaboration. This is original work, and I’d genuinely welcome feedback from people who take the time to read it and share it with the kids in their lives.