Children’s books - Four Small Boys From Wales

Cover of a book titled 'Four Small Boys from Wales,' illustrated with four cartoon boys with varying expressions and clothing, standing outdoors on a grassy hill with rocks and a cloudy sky in the background.

Illustration & book design by Nathan Shelton

A bold, comic-inspired children’s book packed with mischief, friendship and old-school adventure.

About the Book

Four Small Boys from Wales is a lively, rhyming adventure written by Lyndon Jeremiah.

Readers join four friends on a real-life childhood escapade filled with fearless fun, cheeky revenge, and the kind of friendship that only comes from growing up together.

The story blends clever rhyme with laugh-out-loud moments and nostalgic mischief - capturing the playful spirit of classic comics.

Perfect for children who love energetic storytelling - and parents who remember those comics fondly

Stack of children's books titled 'Four Small Boys from Wales: Friends and Foes.' The cover features cartoon illustrations of four boys with different hair colors and styles standing outdoors on a grassy hill with a cloudy sky background.
Digital illustration of four animated boys with superpowers, smiling and hanging from a tree branch, with colorful clouds and speech bubbles with poetic text in the background.
Colorful illustrated pages of a children's storybook showing a group of children dancing and having fun, with some wearing gold chains and hats.
A cartoon illustration of five friends standing on rocks with a colorful sunrise background, flanked by two book covers titled 'Tour Small Boys from Wales' and 'Pedwar Bachgen Bach Gymlu'.

Illustration approach

The style leans heavily into:

  • Exaggerated facial expressions

  • Dynamic body language

  • Rich colour palettes

  • Action-packed compositions

The boys needed to feel mischievous but lovable - expressive enough to carry the humour even before the rhyme lands.

We worked carefully on:

  • Character consistency across spreads

  • Visual pacing to match the rhyme

  • Ensuring each double-page spread held your interest

  • Keeping backgrounds lively without overwhelming the text

The result is a book that feels alive on every page.

Illustration of three kids in astronaut suits floating in space with a spaceship in the background and the text 'A Real Adventure for Real Kids'. Two books are in the upper right corner, titled 'Four Small Boys From Wale' and 'War Bache...

My role in the project

For this book, I provided:

  • ✔ Full character design

  • ✔ Interior illustrations

  • ✔ Cover artwork

  • ✔ Typography & layout

  • ✔ Print-ready file preparation

  • ✔ Promotional package (incl. banners and videos)

The goal was to create something that felt:

  • Energetic

  • Expressive

  • Slightly chaotic (in the best way)

  • True to classic British comic tradition

while still working as a professionally structured children’s book.

Highlights - Four Small Boys From Wales

Thinking about your own book?

If you’ve written a lively, character-driven story and want illustrations that feel expressive, energetic and professionally produced - I’d love to hear from you.

Request a FREE quote or book a 20-minute discovery call

The outcome

The finished book:

  • Feels bold and confident

  • Stands proudly alongside comic-inspired children’s titles

  • Appeals to both children and nostalgic adults

  • Maintains professional print standards throughout

It balances classic comic chaos with structured book design.

Written a children’s book?

Finished your manuscript but unsure what happens next?

Get the The first-time children’s book author starter pack and feel confident about your next steps. Download and understand page counts, pricing, publishing options and what to avoid.

Make informed decisions from the start. Clear guidance. No overwhelm. No pressure.

Three copies of a book titled "The first-time children's book author starter pack" stacked on a white surface. The cover features cartoon artwork of a green Hulk-like character with brown hair, wearing purple pants, with lightning bolt accents in the background.