iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Mirka Hokkanen @mirkahokkanen.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

I did draw many dinosaurs this past month for #kidlitilloweek. Here's one of my favorites. #kidlit #kidlitillustration

A digital children's book style illustration of a green baby ankylosaurus frolicking in a meadow by illustrator Mirka Hokkanen.

0111

Mirka Hokkanen @mirkahokkanen.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

Whose excited for some prompts with dinosaurs! #kidlit #kidlitilloweek

030

Reposted by Mirka Hokkanen

Annie Wu @anniewu.bsky.social · 07/09/2026

Reject the 5-day workweek and join me in the self-employed feeling like you probably should be doing something all the time

023636

Mirka Hokkanen @mirkahokkanen.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

August #kidlitilloweek prompts. We have had a busy summer with kids and I haven't been on socials much, but will be back in September.

040

Mirka Hokkanen @mirkahokkanen.bsky.social · 04/06/2026

A cozy cottage illo for #kidlitartpostcard day. Hello I'm Mirka, an published illustrator working in both digital and traditional media. I'm open to work, especially for stories that feature animals, nature or humor. I'm repped by @laurelsymonds.bsky.social #kidlit #cottage #forest #kidlitilloweek

Digital illustration of a cute cottage with a garden in the middle of the woods with a fox arriving at the door with a cart.

512119

Mirka Hokkanen @mirkahokkanen.bsky.social · 08/05/2026

Hello! I'm Mirka a kid's book illustrator who loves cute characters and fun action. I'm repped by @laurelsymonds.bsky.social at KT Literary and am open for work. #kidlitartpostcard #kidlit #kidlitillustration #frog #strawberries

1737

Mirka Hokkanen @mirkahokkanen.bsky.social · 14/04/2026

A small illustration for a seed packet I finished last week. #seedpacketart #kidlitillustration

021

Mirka Hokkanen @mirkahokkanen.bsky.social · 05/04/2026

My week's #kidlitilloweek drawing. Prompts "hopscotch" and "hippo".

0175

Mirka Hokkanen @mirkahokkanen.bsky.social · 03/04/2026

Illustrators, Red Fox Literary is opening up for queries soon. See their website for more info. #kidlitillustration

0138

Mirka Hokkanen @mirkahokkanen.bsky.social · 02/04/2026

Happy #kidlitartpostcard day! I'm Mirka, a neurodivergent Finnish-American illustrator open for work. I enjoy animals and nature related books the most but am happy to draw people too. I've worked on PBs and GNs. I'm agented by @laurelsymonds.bsky.social .

2343

Mirka Hokkanen @mirkahokkanen.bsky.social · 31/03/2026

April #kidlitilloweek prompts. Lots of fun ones to choose from. How are you doing with creativity lately? I am trying to get an illustration done each week, even if its a small one. My mantra is something is always better than nothing. Hope that you can join me in this challenge. #kidlitillustration

0114

Mirka Hokkanen @mirkahokkanen.bsky.social · 29/03/2026

I've been forgetting to post my weekly illustrations🙈 but the good news is Ive only missed one week this year so far and posting this cute Doc McDog character sketch. (He's just made up) #kidlitilloweek #kidlit #kidlitillustration

0132

Mirka Hokkanen @mirkahokkanen.bsky.social · 02/03/2026

March #KidLitilloWeek prompts! Getting ready for a big 4-day event, and another one next week. I missed getting an illustration done last week, but I did spend all week in creative pursuits, writing and carving and printing linocuts and wood engravings. #kidlitillustration #illustrationchallenge

041

Mirka Hokkanen @mirkahokkanen.bsky.social · 26/02/2026

Miniprint vending machine pull for an online order. 🎉 You can purchase one online in my shop if you want one too. Can't guarantee which print you'll get though. 👀 #miniprintvendingmachine #vendingmachine

051

Reposted by Mirka Hokkanen

Leslie Zampetti @literarylesliez.bsky.social · 26/02/2026

Picture books are my guilty pleasure! #MSWL MORE: Fun & funny Instant kid appeal 🤝 Classroom/Library potential Lots of layers LESS (or better, none): Teachy or preachy Sentimental or nostalgic Rhyme Books of my 💛: I WANT MY HAT BACK, SOUL FOOD SUNDAY, PLANTING STORIES... PURA BELPRÉ

37415

Mirka Hokkanen @mirkahokkanen.bsky.social · 26/02/2026

Did you see #MSWL day on Bluesky now! 👀 🎉

040

Reposted by Mirka Hokkanen

Alexandra Levick @allielevick.bsky.social · 26/02/2026

One more #MSWL day! I am on the hunt for fantasy! YA/NA/adult. Grounded worldbuilding, complex characters, propulsive plot. Sweep me away! Some recent favorite reads have been: THE KNIGHT AND THE MOTH by Rachel Gillig THE MAID AND THE CROCODILE by Jordan Ifueko THE RAVEN SCHOLAR by Antonia Hodgson

10797

Mirka Hokkanen @mirkahokkanen.bsky.social · 23/02/2026

Just shoveled our driveway for the 2. time before going to bed. It does look quite lovely as everything has a thick blanket of snow on it, and its falling in big chunky flakes. We'll see how much it is in the morning when we wake up. #snow #kidlitillustration #picturebookillustrator #kidlitilloweek

061

Mirka Hokkanen @mirkahokkanen.bsky.social · 18/02/2026

I'm honored that Little Seasons: Autumn Leaves was selected for the Dogwood Nonfiction Readers List! The award is for K-12 NF books, chosen by MO librarians & @maslonline.bsky.social to encourage children to read high-quality, engaging NF. @macmillankidsuk.bsky.social #kidsnonfiction #kidlit

261

Mirka Hokkanen @mirkahokkanen.bsky.social · 16/02/2026

Almost forgot to post this week's #kidlitilloweek piece. I wanted to do watercolors and pencils this week and picked prompts badger, backpack and excited. #kidlit #kidlitillustration #badger #watercolorillustration

1133

Mirka Hokkanen @mirkahokkanen.bsky.social · 09/02/2026

Muddy puddles and lots of fun (?). Getting this #kidlitilloweek illustration just under the wire for the week. I posted new prompts for February last week. #puddlejumping #picturebookillustration #kidlit #muddypuddles

Illustration of a little girl in a muddy puddle with boots on. A mudsprayed small dog looks disapproving next to her.

080

Mirka Hokkanen @mirkahokkanen.bsky.social · 04/02/2026

Happy #kidlitartpostcard day. I'm Mirka and I like to illustrate funny stories with heart. Animals and nature scenes are my favorite but I'm OK with people too. 🤸‍♀️ I'm working on some books of my own, but also open to illustration only projects. My agent is @laurelsymonds.bsky.social #kidlit

0310

Mirka Hokkanen @mirkahokkanen.bsky.social · 02/02/2026

This week's #kidlitilloweek piece. A bit last minute, but got something done. 😅 Sledding w a squirrel. #kidlitillustration #kidlit #squirrel #sledding

242

Reposted by Mirka Hokkanen

Beehandi @beehandi.bsky.social · 30/01/2026

Finished the #kidlitilloweek from @mirkahokkanen.bsky.social for January. Now on to February

0133

Mirka Hokkanen @mirkahokkanen.bsky.social · 30/01/2026

Here are #Kidlitilloweek prompts for February. You can save it on your phone for inspiration or print out and paste into your sketchbook. As usual, more info on the challenge can be found at mirkah.com/kidlitilloweek

0125

Reposted by Mirka Hokkanen

Charlene Chua @charlenedraws.bsky.social · 25/01/2026

I do not follow politics super closely (for mental health). But from what I do know - if you’re in US & still believe your system is not *completely* broken, you should do something while you still (maybe) can.

0166

Mirka Hokkanen @mirkahokkanen.bsky.social · 25/01/2026

This is my #kidlitilloweek piece for this week. My agency has monthly prompts, so this illo was for prompt "bewitching bakery". You can see a photo of my sketchbook very briefly in the beginning. I take a photo of the page and then worked in Procreate for the rest of the illo. #kidlitillustration

061

Mirka Hokkanen @mirkahokkanen.bsky.social · 21/01/2026

Photos from the Society of Illustrators event at the #SCBWINY26 conference. So inspired to see original artworks from current illustrators as well as Edward Gorey, Norman Rockwell and more. 🤩 #kidlit #kidlitillustration #edwardgorey @soi128.bsky.social @debbieohi.com @paulozelinsky.com

Photograph of Debbie Ohi, Mirka Hokkanen and Paul Zelinsky with a brick wall background and artwork hanging behind them

A photo of Norman Rockwells painting of a stagecoach with multiple people on it shown hanging above a bar with many bottles.

Movie poster for Harry Potter showing the main characters, Harry, Ron and Hermione with Hagrid and Dumbledore. Drawn on a black background with hues of yellows and blues with stars.

1111

Mirka Hokkanen @mirkahokkanen.bsky.social · 20/01/2026

I did finish a tiny illustration in my hotel room last week. The #scbwi conference was a lot of fun, but kept me busy all week. The prompts for this one were chipmonk and on the road. #kidlitilloweek #kidlit #kidlitillustration #chipmonk

060

Mirka Hokkanen @mirkahokkanen.bsky.social · 15/01/2026

On the road to NY for the #scbwi conference. Listening to a book on the train and sketching. Using prompts chipmonk and road trip for inspiration from #KidLitilloWeek. Are you coming to the conference? #kidlit

360

Reposted by Mirka Hokkanen

Melissa Stewart @mstewartscience.bsky.social · 09/01/2026

Teachers! Librarians! Build excitement for ALA Youth Media Awards with the Sibert Smackdown! tinyurl.com/mr2x4m2y @rajanilarocca.bsky.social @juanamartinezn.bsky.social @jessicalanan.bsky.social @4nikkolas.bsky.social @sarahalbee.bsky.social #TLsky #Skybrarian #edusky #kidlit

0175

Mirka Hokkanen @mirkahokkanen.bsky.social · 08/01/2026

Happy #KidLitArtPostcard day! This is my businesscard for the upcoming #SCBWI winter conference. Hope to see some of you there. I'm an illustrator who likes animals and nature, and have worked on PBs and GNs. I'm represented by @laurelsymonds @ktliterary. #picturebookillustration #bookworm #kidlit

2333

Mirka Hokkanen @mirkahokkanen.bsky.social · 07/01/2026

From screen to paper. Starting my year with a cute book worm illustration for business cards for the #SCBWI conference. It can be folded into a little desk buddy. 🍎🪱 This is my 1st #kidlitilloweek piece, but also working on a 2nd using the Jan prompts. #bookworm #kidlitillustration

4194

Reposted by Mirka Hokkanen

Beehandi @beehandi.bsky.social · 05/01/2026

For the #kidlitilloweek challenge by @mirkahokkanen.bsky.social I want to add a few animal pieces for my portfolio so I’ll try to make one completed piece each month using the prompts.I’ll update weekly 😊 for the first week, my hedgehog. He’s a mailman for a zoo (how will I make this work?)

152

Mirka Hokkanen @mirkahokkanen.bsky.social · 25/12/2025

Watercolor sketchbook paintings I've been doing as some warmups for next years #kidlitilloweek. Looking forward to putting phone away and getting more creative time in. It's so much better for my mental health. ❤️ #watercolorpainting #chipmonk #swanillustration #birdillustration

291

Reposted by Mirka Hokkanen

PB Jamboree @pbjamboree.bsky.social · 17/12/2025

We are wishing everyone warm and peaceful holidays! @mattforrestvw.bsky.social, author/anthologist of “A Universe of Rainbows,” is looking forward to baking 100s of cookies, wrapping gifts, and reading “The Polar Express!” #holidayreads #kidlit #bookrecommendations #edusky #librarians

053

Reposted by Mirka Hokkanen

PB Jamboree @pbjamboree.bsky.social · 16/12/2025

We are wishing everyone warm and peaceful holidays! @kdmaz.bsky.social author and illustrator of MAYBE JUST ASK ME is looking forward to sipping hot chocolate while reading NIGHT CHEF by Mika Song in front of the fire. #holidayreads #kidlit #bookrecommendations #edusky #librarians

062

Mirka Hokkanen @mirkahokkanen.bsky.social · 16/12/2025

Printed these off yesterday and got them in the mail this morning. So glad to get holiday cards done and off to a new task! #holidaycards

281

Mirka Hokkanen @mirkahokkanen.bsky.social · 09/12/2025

As I'm reflecting on 2025, I wanted to focus more on creativity in 2026 and wanted to invite other #kidlit creators to join me. The gist is: illustrate something at least 1xweek and post it with #KidLitilloWeek. For inspiration I've created a full year of prompts: www.mirkah.com/kidlitilloweek

161

Reposted by Mirka Hokkanen

PB Jamboree @pbjamboree.bsky.social · 09/12/2025

We are wishing everyone warm and peaceful holidays! @mirkahokkanen.bsky.social is looking forward to a cup of hot cocoa and getting cozy with the newest Skunk and Badger book by Amy Timberlake. #holidayreads #kidlit #bookrecommendations #edusky #librarians

033

Reposted by Mirka Hokkanen

PB Rising Stars @pbrisingstars.bsky.social · 08/12/2025

⭐️ Interested in being a 2026 #pbrisingstars Mentee for our fifth and FINAL year? ⭐️ Check your eligibility below and let us know if you're applying! Any questions? Leave a comment, and we’ll answer them! Check out website out here: www.pbrisingstars.com/mentees #kidli #kidlitart #kidlitpostcard

⭐️ Calling all 2026 #PBRisingStars applicants! ⭐️

Make sure to check your eligibility before preparing those applications!

In order to apply you:

⭐️ Must be 18 years or older

⭐️ Must be a PICTURE BOOK creator

⭐️ May be Unagented OR agented but must not have a PICTURE BOOK deal sold by an agent

⭐️ Must not have been or be scheduled to be a PICTURE BOOK MENTEE in another program any time between January 2025 and September 2026

⭐️ Must not use AI engines to create art, text, or application responses

Any questions about eligibility? Drop them in the comments below and we’ll answer them!

💫And don’t forget to mark your calendars with our application window: February 27 - March 13 2026. This is our LAST year at PB Rising Stars, so don’t miss your final chance to apply! 💫

#kidli #kidlitart #picturebooks #kidlitillustration #kidlitpostcard

02115

Reposted by Mirka Hokkanen

PB Jamboree @pbjamboree.bsky.social · 27/11/2025

We're thankful for families and friends, libraries and rainbows, nature walks, books, and freedom. We're also thankful for YOU - our followers - and the entire #kidlit community. What are you thankful for? #PBJam #Thanksgiving #Gratitude

063

Mirka Hokkanen @mirkahokkanen.bsky.social · 18/11/2025

I'll be over at #NCTE2025 on Friday signing books and presenting about early reader graphic novels. If you are there, stop by and say hi! #picturebookauthor #picturebookillustrator #earlyreadergraphicnovels #kidlit

070

Mirka Hokkanen @mirkahokkanen.bsky.social · 14/11/2025

I'm offering a virtual market to all friends who are not able to shop at my in-person ones! Join me on Sat, Nov 29, 1-3pm. To receive the zoom link sign up in link in comments. If you cant make it live, I'll send a link to my event specific store where you can make purchases after. #holidaymarket

151

Mirka Hokkanen @mirkahokkanen.bsky.social · 19/10/2025

I work as a printmaker in addition to illustrating books. This week I've been working on a set of 5 mini prints to set up a vending machine at my upcoming Nov 2nd DC Print Fair. Excited! 😃 #printmaking #linocut #reliefprint @eastcityart.bsky.social

0130