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Maria T. Middleton

@mariatmiddleton

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Senior Art Director @ Candlewick Press
☼ I design books for kids
✎ Critical thinking, 100% human-made
⟟ RVA ⁀➴ NYC (and back again)

POSTS STORIES REELS

(Or: why opinions don’t matter when you’re making personal work!)

There’s an authenticity that shines through work that’s full of joy and passion, and that’s the kind of work I like most. Make work that you love, and people will hire you to make work that they love ❤️

PS: Thank you for all of the kind words of encouragement about these posts! My goal is to help demystify the creative side of publishing. If there’s a topic under that umbrella that you’re curious about, add it to the comments. If I know something about it, I’ll do my best to illuminate ✨♥️ ✨

#artdirectormonologues by @mariatmiddleton

Calling all illustrators and authors!

Ever wondered what really happens between the first spark of an idea and the finished book on the shelf?

Join author-illustrator Tom Booth, editor at large for @candlewickpress, Susan Van Metre, art director Maria T. Middleton, and literary agent Rick Richter from @aevitas_creative for a rare behind-the-scenes conversation about every stage of the publishing journey.

Drawing on decades of experience with major publishing houses, this panel will demystify the creative and business sides of making books, share insider perspectives, and answer your questions.

Whether you’re an aspiring creator, a lifelong reader, or simply curious about how books come to life, this is an exceptional opportunity to learn directly from the professionals who help shape them.

Learn more at the link in bio or by visiting mainemechanics.org/programming

#portlandmaine
#mainewriters
#literaryevent by @mariatmiddleton

We came for the turkey legs and we stayed for the rain (and the wind and the cold and finally, the sun ☀️) @rvarenfaire ya did good! by @mariatmiddleton

Can you spot the color inspiration? 👀 🌸 💀

#bookdesign #jacketdesign #yalit #romeoandjuliet by @mariatmiddleton

This machine kills fascists and melts 🧊. Call your senators and representatives. Not just once. Check on your neighbors. Read books. Stay curious. Be safe out there.
#rvastrong #littlefreelibrary #iceout by @mariatmiddleton

Thank you, thank you, thank you!
#artdirectormonologues #bookdesign #gratitude #kidlitpostcard by @mariatmiddleton

Every now and then my nostalgic love for the 1980s makes its way onto a book cover. Shout out to @bartlettstudio for interpreting chicken-scratch concepts into bad ass cover art 😎 This punchy queer thriller has a sequel coming Summer 2026.

#kidlit #ya #artdirection #bookdesign #80smovies #adventuresinbabysitting #beforeandafter @candlewickpress by @mariatmiddleton

“Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” #snowday❄️ #studiovibes 🎨 #ferrisbueller by @mariatmiddleton

Tits out, No kings. We’ll be here as long as it takes. @50501virginia #protestispatriotic #rva #resistfascism by @mariatmiddleton

Every week, I share a chat with folks from illustration, design, publishing, animation, and other creative fields on The Illustration Department Podcast.⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣

Episode 319 of The Illustration Department Podcast—with Maria Middleton, Senior Art Director at Candlewick Press—is now available!

Maria talks about the role of a children’s book art director; what she looks for in illustrators; and more.

⚡️You can listen to it on your preferred podcast player, or by visiting illustrationdept.com/idpodcast.

⭐️ If you find value in this podcast, you can support it by subscribing to my best-selling Substack.

For $5 a month, or $50 a year, you will:

* Access hundreds of articles on the art, practice, and history of illustration.
* Unlock bonus podcast episodes called, “Extra Credit”.
* Receive invitations to our “Art Directors After Hours” get-togethers.
* And, connect with other members of the ID community.

Thank you for listening,
⁣⁣⁣⁣
Giuseppe Castellano⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
~⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣⁣
#Illustration #Illustrationart #IllusDept #IllusDeptPodcast #IDPodcast #illustrationhistory #ArtHistory #CulturalHistory #Kidlit #Kidlitart #GiuseppeCastellano #Kidlit #KidlitArt #ArtDirector by @mariatmiddleton

A 🌟KIRKUS STAR🌟 for Shaped By Love: An Ode to Mom Bods! Beyond grateful. 🥹 Can’t wait for this book to be out in the world and in the hands of Mamas with little ones curled onto their laps. Pre-order link, and the full review, is in my bio!

#kirkusreview #kirkusstarredreview #kirkusstar #picturebook #shapedbylove #kidlit #kidlitart #kidlitartist #illustration #svamfai by @mariatmiddleton

Personal projects remind me that “mistakes” are part of the process, easily painted over or kept as happy accidents. Also: Done is better than perfect! (She said after the 5th coat of paint…😅)

@littlefreelibrary install coming soon… by @mariatmiddleton