welcome in!
Board books
& art for little readers
My work celebrates everyday objects and moments that feel big when you’re little.
Featured Books
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![100 First Things to Say board book cover illustrated by Denise Holmes, introducing first words for young children.]()
100 First Things to Say
Townhouse Books
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![How to Be an Awesome Toddler board book cover written by Rachelle Burk and illustrated by Denise Holmes, about toddler skills and emotions.]()
How to be an Awesome Toddler
Sourcebooks
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![My First Pickleball Paddle board book cover written by Daria Harper and illustrated by Denise Holmes, about pickleball for young readers.]()
My First Pickleball Paddle
Ten Speed Young Readers
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![My First Cowboy Boots board book cover written by Daria Harper and illustrated by Denise Holmes, introducing cowboy boots to young children.]()
My First Cowboy Boots
Ten Speed Young Readers
I use bright colors, simple shapes, and cute characters to make board books and art that is playful, a little nostalgic, and packed with tiny details for little readers to love.
a peek inside
My featured work
Here you’ll find selected work for children’s books, kids’ magazines, and children’s products, including characters, concepts, patterns and playful moments created for kids of all ages.
hand-drawn
book spread
as seen in
take a little something home
The Shop
hello!
Hi, I’m Denise!
Denise Holmes is a children’s book illustrator based in Chicago. She loves board books, vintage children’s books, bright colors, cute characters, handmade things, and tiny everyday details. When she’s not drawing, she can usually be found walking around the city, taking photos, sewing, reading, writing in her diary, or dreaming up new ideas to draw.
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