# Image Prompt Guide for Storybooks

Use this file when generating illustrations.

## Visual identity

The art should feel:
- playful
- polished
- bright
- expressive
- highly readable
- full of shape and motion
- child-friendly
- storybook-rich

## Core visual rule

These stories should be **image-heavy**.
That means the prompts should not be vague wallpaper.

Each prompt should clearly describe:
- who is in the image
- what they are doing
- where they are
- the mood
- the visual gag or key detail
- the colour / lighting feel if useful

## Best image workflow

For each finished story, generate:
- **1 cover prompt**
- **8 to 12 spread prompts**
- optionally **1 endpaper or title-page prompt**
- optionally **1 character reference prompt** for recurring leads

## Prompt design rule

A strong illustration prompt should include:
- composition focus
- key character pose or expression
- environment
- important props
- story action
- mood
- style

## Good storybook style terms

Useful style language:
- cinematic storybook illustration
- whimsical picture-book art
- polished children’s book illustration
- playful expressive character design
- bright layered environment detail
- family-safe fantasy whimsy
- richly readable composition

## Good visual ingredients

Use:
- oversized objects
- strong silhouettes
- expressive weather
- repeating motifs
- silly background details
- rich textures
- colour-coded emotional beats
- clear focal action

## Cover prompt template

Create a **playful illustrated children’s picture-book cover** for **[TITLE]**.

Focus on **[main character]** and the central visual idea: **[problem / object / setting]**.

Mood: **[funny / whimsical / warm / adventurous / bedtime-gentle / slightly strange]**.

Show:
- strong readable main silhouette
- colourful storybook setting
- one clear visual problem or magical gimmick
- child-friendly expressive style
- polished premium picture-book illustration
- room for title text
- lots of charm, motion, and visual storytelling

## Spread prompt template

Create a **whimsical illustrated picture-book scene**.

Scene: **[what happens on this spread]**  
Character focus: **[1–2 main characters]**  
Mood: **[funny / bright / worried / triumphant / cozy / mysterious]**  
Visual details: **[props, environment, repeated motifs, silly side details]**  
Style: polished children’s storybook illustration, expressive, highly readable, colourful, playful, family-safe

## Character reference template

Create a **professional children’s picture-book character reference sheet** for **[character name]**.

Show:
- front view
- side view
- back view
- 4 facial expressions
- 2 action poses
- 1 prop or accessory callout

Style:
- whimsical picture-book illustration
- strong silhouette
- clear readable shapes
- child-friendly expressive design
- polished and consistent

## Prompt rules for repeated characters

When a character appears multiple times:
- keep silhouette stable
- keep key colours stable
- keep props stable
- keep emotional range flexible
- keep the design simple enough to redraw many times

## Spread-prompt density rule

Do not overload the prompt with ten competing events.
Each spread should usually focus on:
- one main action
- one emotional beat
- one visual joke or wonder element

## Best visual pacing

Try to include a mix of:
- wide establishing spreads
- close funny character moments
- escalating chaos scenes
- a quiet emotional spread
- a strong final payoff image

## Illustration pack checklist

Before finishing a pack, ask:
- do the prompts cover the whole story arc?
- is the central character clearly readable?
- are the images varied?
- is there enough visual payoff?
- does the ending image feel frame-worthy?

## Practical motto

**The story talks. The pictures party.**