This issue is dedicated to the magic of picture books and the art of developing a signature style. We are honored to feature Benji Davies as our Illustrator in Focus. The cover showcases an illustration from The Storm Whale, a story that has quietly touched millions of readers around the world. Through this image, we want to express something that feels especially important right now: even as more creators experiment with AI-generated imagery, we must not lose sight of why we create in the first place. Art is not just about creating images. It is about expressing emotion, capturing fleeting moments, and sharing perspectives shaped by lived experience. Picture books, in particular, are intimate spaces. They allow illustrators to communicate feelings, memories, and viewpoints in ways that words alone cannot. The unique lens each illustrator brings to the page is shaped by their life experiences, insights, and emotional truth, and it carries an authenticity no algorithm can replicate. In this issue: GLOBAL ILLUSTRATION SHOWS TO SEE THIS YEAR ILLUSTRATOR IN FOCUS - Benji Davies SPOTLIGHT ARTIST - Claire Powell, Bethan Woollvin, Marissa Valdez, Leanne Hatch, Taeeun Yoo, Matt Johnson FEATURED ARTIST - Cortlyn Plunk GETTING STARTED IN CHILDREN’S BOOK ILLUSTRATION