Meet the Illustrator Bringing Mira’s Magical Mind to Life: Zoe Barnish

Every picture book begins with words — but it’s the art that makes those words come alive. The words in Mira's Magical mind came from me....the magical imaginings in it came from my amazingly creative daughter. She pictured Mira's world filled with movement, imagination, and color — and I didn't want to let her down. Finding the right illustrator to bring her vision to life was so important to me.

Enter Zoe Barnish. 💜

Zoe is a freelance illustrator and designer based in Dorset, UK. With over twelve years of experience, she specializes in creating enchanting illustrations for children's books and non-fiction, drawing inspiration from nature's patterns and textures to craft memorable characters and magical scenes. She has collaborated with prestigious clients such as Penguin Random House, BBC, Channel 4, History Press, and Shepheard Walwyn and adores working alongside talented authors to bring their stories to life with vibrant creativity.

From the very first sketch, I knew Zoe was the perfect person to bring Mira’s world to life. Her art feels alive — textured with emotion, wonder, and a kind of movement that mirrors Mira’s own imaginative energy. Every page feels like it has a heartbeat.

As the illustrations continue to unfold, I can’t wait to share glimpses of this magical collaboration with you. For now, I’m just so grateful to have Zoe’s talent and heart woven into this story — helping Mira’s world take shape, one beautiful brushstroke at a time.

✨ Stay tuned for sneak peeks and behind-the-scenes looks at the creative process — coming soon!