How a Children’s Book Is Created
Behind the Scenes of Sips, the Magic Pony
How is a children’s picture book created? At Little Beetle Press every book goes through a creative journey involving writers, illustrators, editors, translators, designers and printers from different parts of the world. Here is a behind-the-scenes look at how Sips, the Magic Pony came to life.
What are the main stages of creating a children’s picture book?
1. Developing the Story
When our Irish author Tiernan Dolan approached us with the idea for Sips, the Magic Pony, he shared more than 20 letters written to his niece from the pony’s perspective. Together, we carefully selected 10 stories that worked best and shaped them into a seasonal journey – beginning in spring and ending at Christmas.
2. Choosing the Illustration Style
We suggested several illustrators and organised paid test illustrations so the author could explore different artistic styles before choosing the final visual direction for the book.
3. Character Development, Moodboards and Storyboards
Before creating the final artwork, we developed the main characters – Teapot, Dusty and Sips – using real photographs, as the story was inspired by real people, animals and places.
We then created moodboards to define the visual atmosphere and style of the book, followed by black-and-white storyboards and page sketches, which were carefully reviewed and refined together with the illustrator and author before moving on to the final illustrations.
INTERESTING FACT: to make the story feel authentic, we even used real maps and landscapes connected to the setting of the story to create Sips’ magical map, featured in the printed book.
4. Editing and Proofreading
While the illustrations and design were being developed, our editor and proofreader worked on refining the text and preparing the final manuscript for print.
5. Translation and Audio Recording
At the same time, a team of translators worked on the Ukrainian version of the book. The translation was then professionally recorded and added through QR codes, creating a bilingual reading and listening experience for families.
6. Design and Printing
After final layout checks, proofreading and preparation of all files, the book moved into printing and production.
7. Promotion and Events
Once published, the book was promoted through festivals, libraries, schools, workshops, social media, radio, local newspapers and community events to help it continue reaching children and families over time. The first print run of 500 copies completely sold out and found their way into families’ homes, encouraging us to continue sharing the story with new readers.
Why did you choose this manuscript?
We chose this manuscript because it immediately felt warm, genuine and emotionally meaningful. Inspired by real people, real events and a real Connemara pony called Sips, the story had a special authenticity from the very beginning. We were especially touched by the idea of the pony sending comforting letters to the author’s niece during her hospital stay, bringing her joy, imagination and hope.
We also loved the magical Irish atmosphere and the gentle humour woven through the stories. The letters felt playful, cosy and perfect for a seasonal children’s book journey.
Another important reason for choosing this project was its ability to connect children through language and storytelling. Creating a bilingual English-Ukrainian edition with audio narration was especially meaningful for Tiernan Dolan himself, as he is a long-time supporter of the Ukrainian community in Ireland and a volunteer with Steps for Ukraine in Longford, which the book also helped support.
How did the editing and translation process go?
The editing process was very smooth and collaborative. The editing team included several people, among them the talented Irish author and illustrator Tatyana Feeney and even the author’s own brother, who also happens to be an editor. Tiernan’s writing was truly a pleasure to work with – warm, imaginative and full of humour.
The Ukrainian translation took a little more time, as we wanted to carefully preserve the atmosphere, humour and playful character names from the original text. However, the translation and editing process was also great fun, and skilled professionals Halyna Budilova and Antonina Yashchuk did a brilliant job bringing the story naturally into another language.
Is it difficult to manage an international and online team?
Managing an international creative team online can sometimes be challenging, especially when people work across different countries, schedules and languages. However, for us it is also one of the most inspiring parts of the process. Little Beetle Press regularly collaborates with writers, illustrators, translators, designers and editors from different parts of the world, and each person brings their own cultural perspective and creative strengths to the project.
Good communication, clear deadlines and mutual respect are very important, but modern online tools make collaboration much easier than before. In many ways, working internationally helps make our books richer, more diverse and more meaningful for children from different backgrounds.
How do you develop the visual style of a children’s book?
For Sips, the Magic Pony, it was very important to develop the characters and visual atmosphere of the book from the very beginning. Illustrator Anastasia Soliar created the characters based on real photographs, and together with the author we refined small details like hairstyles and clothing until everyone was happy with the result.
Before sketching started, we also planned the key moments each illustration would portray and created mood boards to define the overall style and atmosphere of the book. Thanks to good preparation, clear communication and strong project management by Halyna Budilova, the whole process ran very smoothly. Everyone on the team understood their role from the start, which allowed the book to be created within just a few months.
How do you choose where to print your books?
We work with several trusted printing partners depending on the needs of each project. Some of our books are printed in Ireland, with our printing partners in Kerry, Ireland, while others are printed in Kyiv, Ukraine. The choice depends on factors such as deadlines, print quantity, book format and budget. We usually plan the printing strategy from the very beginning of the project so we can choose the best and most efficient option for each customer and each book.
From the reading of the manuscript to the printing of the book, how long does the process take?
The timeline depends on the complexity of the project, but on average creating a children’s book takes around two to three months from the manuscript stage to the printed book. Some projects have been completed in as little as one month, while others took up to six months due to more complex illustration, translation or production processes. Every project is different, so from the very beginning we plan the workflow carefully to find the best solution in terms of timing, budget and creative goals.
If you do another set of prints, do you modify anything from the previous book?
Yes, sometimes new print runs include small improvements or even different formats of the same book. For example, Now My Life Is New exists as a hardcover edition in Australia, where the author is based, as well as different softcover editions available internationally and through Amazon.
When preparing books for Amazon, we often need to adapt certain technical details, such as the page count or format requirements. For example, Sips, the Magic Pony originally included a separate printed map insert, which was not possible in the Amazon version, so we adjusted the format accordingly.
New print runs also give us an opportunity to improve the book further. Sometimes new team members notice details we can refine, or we add elements such as awards, psychologist reviews, updated QR codes or additional information. We see every book as a living project that can continue growing and improving over time.
Creating a children’s book can feel overwhelming at first – especially when trying to manage writers, illustrators, translators, designers, printers and deadlines all at once. At Little Beetle Press, we help guide authors, organisations and businesses through every stage of the process, turning ideas into beautifully crafted books that children and families genuinely connect with. From the first concept to the final files ready for print, our goal is to make the journey creative, smooth and enjoyable for everyone involved. We work with different formats, timelines and production options, and can usually find solutions for a variety of budgets, with full book production projects starting from approximately €3,000 excluding printing costs.
