We had the pleasure of illustrating the children’s book ‘Sleeping is for monkeys’, written by Dutch author Koen Colle. From the book cover and flyleaf to the final dreamy pages, we created a warm, colorful visual world that brings the jungle – and its diverse monkey characters – to life.The story follows little Moov, a monkey who doesn’t quite feel like she fits in. But when night falls, she discovers a world where her differences suddenly make sense.
Illustrating ‘Sleeping is for monkeys’ meant visualizing a story full of emotion, humor, and transformation – while keeping it accessible and engaging for young readers. One key challenge was portraying a diverse range of real monkey species – like Spider Monkeys, Baboons, Howler monkeys and Gorillas – in a way that felt playful and character-driven, yet recognizable and respectful. Each monkey needed its own personality, yet still belong to the same family. At the heart of the story is Moov, a small monkey who feels out of place. Her emotional arc is quiet and subtle, so we had to express her inner world – doubt, wonder, joy – purely through illustration. Another challenge was the visual transition from daytime jungle scenes to the magical world of the night, which needed to feel seamless and immersive across every spread.
We approached the book with a deep, saturated color palette that reflected both the vibrancy of the jungle and the dreamy calm of nighttime. We conveyed pure watercolours and in general used the techniques found in traditional watercolour drawings .To ensure smooth transitions, we used natural elements – branches, leaves, shifting light – to create visual continuity and rhythm across pages. Moov’s design stood out gently from the rest of the family: smaller limbs, softer tones, and expressive eyes that captured her sensitivity. Each monkey species was given a distinctive look inspired by its real-world counterpart, balanced with humor and child-friendly charm. For the night scenes, we created rich, layered illustrations that glowed with moonlight and mystery. Animals like the bat, chameleon, and owl were drawn with whimsical touches that emphasized both their strangeness and beauty. These scenes mirrored Moov’s emotional shift – helping her, and the reader, see that being different can be magical.
This project was an absolute joy to work on. Bringing Moov’s world to life – filled with personality, color, and quiet wonder – was as rewarding as the story itself. We’re proud to have helped shape a book that celebrates uniqueness, connection, and the quiet beauty of the night.
