“Monkey’s Wild Lunch”
My latest children’s picture book is a rhyming jungle adventure filled with friendship, feelings, and forgiveness—sparked by one very hungry monkey and a whole lot of hilarious misunderstandings! While the story brings the laughs (and a little jungle drama), creating it was also pure joy for me as a designer and illustrator. Every page became a playground for color, character, and creativity.
“Ooh-Ooh-Ah-Ah!”
“Monkey’s Wild Lunch” is a fun children’s picture book written and illustrated by J.J.Huerta. It’s all about a banana for lunch, friends, a little misunderstanding and drama. Perfect for story time, giggle-time, and anytime you need a reminder: kind words can go a long, long way!
Available Soon!
“Monkey’s Wild Lunch” Ages 5-12, 8.5×8.5″, 32 Pages. Available in Hardcover (ISBN 979-8-9988712-1-4) and Paperback (ISBN 979-8-9988712-0-7 ) © J.J.Huerta, All Rights Reserved
Story Time
“Monkey’s Wild Lunch” is a fun children’s picture book written and illustrated by J.J.Huerta. It’s all about a banana for lunch, friends, a little misunderstanding and drama. Perfect for story time, giggle-time, and anytime you need a reminder: kind words can go a long, long way! English Language Arts, Reading and Visual Art activities included!
Ideal for kids ages 5–12, this story blends laugh-out-loud moments with subtle lessons in empathy and communication. Parents and teachers will love how it opens up conversations about how our actions affect others, and how a simple “sorry” can go a long way.
Written and illustrated by an experienced art teacher, “Monkey’s Wild Lunch” is also filled with visual surprises and clever nods to famous artworks—making it a fun choice for art rooms, read-aloud’s, and bedtime alike. Whether you’re a young reader, a grown-up storyteller, or a fellow monkey enthusiast, this book is sure to swing its way into your heart.
Behind the Book
Working as both the author and illustrator allowed me complete freedom to create a world where every expression, background, and color choice worked hand in hand with the rhythm of the story. It felt like having a conversation between my writing and my art, each one inspiring the other. Most of all, it was just pure fun — a labor of love that reminded me why I fell in love with storytelling and illustration in the first place.
My illustration style is an eclectic mix of minimalism and playful detail — a blend that feels both clean and full of life. At first glance, the artwork feels simple and inviting, with bright colors, cheerful characters, and easy-to-read compositions. But if you look closer, you’ll spot tiny, delightful surprises tucked into the scenes: a hidden flower, a playful leaf swirl, or a mischievous glint in a character’s eye.
I love balancing bold, clear shapes with unexpected bits of intricate charm that invite young readers (and grown-ups!) to linger a little longer on each page.
It’s a style that keeps things fresh, light-hearted, and visually rich — capturing a sense of wonder while staying easy and fun to follow. Every illustration is like a little adventure, where the simplicity draws you in and the details make you smile.
Book Illustration
My number one app for creating art and illustrations is Procreate®. I love how immediate and versatile digital media is—it allows me to quickly sketch ideas, refine compositions, and share drafts with clients in real time. The ability to work in layers, experiment with endless brushes, and make instant adjustments streamlines my creative process, making it easier to bring ideas to life. Whether I’m drafting concepts or completing fully colored, detailed illustrations, Procreate provides the flexibility and precision I need to produce professional-quality artwork efficiently.
Character Design
Using Procreate®, (my favorite App!) I always start with layers of rough sketches, aiming to capture the characters’ essence. I love balancing bold, clear shapes with unexpected bits of intricate charm that invite young readers (and grown-ups!)
Book Formatting
As a graphic designer, I rely on Adobe InDesign®, the industry standard for book formatting, to bring my clients’ stories to life with professional polish and precision. It ensures that every page flows seamlessly, text placement enhances the artwork (instead of competing with it), and the final product meets publishing standards, whether it’s headed for bookstores, self-publishing platforms, or libraries..
With its powerful tools, I can easily adjust margins, balance image-to-text ratios, and even prepare interactive eBooks with smooth readability. At the end of the day, Adobe InDesign® isn’t just software—it’s the glue that holds every beautifully illustrated children’s book together!
Book Cover
They say, “Don’t judge a book by its cover,” but let’s be honest—we all do! When it comes to designing a children’s picture book, the cover is the first thing that catches a reader’s eye, whether it’s on a bookstore shelf or a scrolling digital marketplace. That’s why I turn to the latest version of Adobe Photoshop® to add those magical final touches that make a book impossible to resist.
As a graphic designer, I wanted the cover and back cover of this story to immediately communicate its central theme in a bold yet minimalistic way. I chose the now well-known hex code #FFE135, widely recognized in the design world as “banana yellow.” This vibrant, sunny hue perfectly captures the essence of the banana—a key element in the story.
#FFE135
Using a color that’s both iconic and emotionally uplifting helped set the tone for the entire book. It creates an instant visual connection for young readers, drawing them into a playful world with just one glance. By allowing the color to speak for itself, the design remains clean and modern, while still full of warmth and personality. It’s a simple yet intentional choice that reinforces the story’s charm and the character’s quest—all wrapped up in the unmistakable glow of banana yellow.
An Homage
Can you tell I’ve been an art teacher for more than 25 years?
It might show in the way I couldn’t resist sneaking in a little art history love into one of the illustration for Monkey’s Wild Lunch! —One of the spreads is a playful homage to the works of two of my all-time classroom favorites—John James Audubon and Henri Rousseau.
Their work has inspired generations of young artists, and in this illustration, I bring a bit of their magic into the story. I borrowed Audubon’s love for detailed creatures and paired it with Rousseau’s dreamy jungles, using bold shapes, rich textures, and layered colors to create a lush, storybook world. It’s my way of blending art appreciation with picture book fun—once an art teacher, always an art teacher!
Let’s Collaborate!
Are you an author with an idea for children’s picture book? I can help! As a dedicated artist, illustrator, and designer, I specialize in turning your creative ideas into beautifully illustrated books that captivate readers of all ages. But my work doesn’t stop there—I’m also here to guide you through the entire self-publishing process on Amazon KDP, from formatting and uploading your files to ensuring your book is optimized for success.
ARTIST & EDUCATOR
J.J.HUERTA
281.734.3753
jjhuerta.art@gmail.com
I’m a Houston-based artist and illustrator with a BA in Art who loves coffee, all-things dogs, and world-traveling adventures—as long as I can get to carry an iPad with Procreate in my backpack! With 25+ years of experience as an Art Teacher in the United States, I enjoy both: bringing creativity to life with fun art lessons and crafting colorful illustrations for children’s picture books.
From just an idea to your first sale, I’ll be with you every step of the way. That’s right! To help your work shine even brighter, I can also design and set up a professional website to promote your book and reach a wider audience. Whether it’s your first project or a lifelong dream, I’ll provide personalized support at every stage, ensuring your journey from idea to published book is as seamless and rewarding as possible.
Contact
T: 281.734.3753
E: jjhuerta.art@gmail.com
I am open to commission work and excited to bring your ideas to life through illustration. Whether you’re looking for children’s book illustration, digital art, character design, concept art or editorial, I’m here to collaborate with you on your next creative project. Let’s work together to make your vision a reality!