Why Using AI Illustrations in Children's Books Is Not Acceptable

Let’s admit it: we all use AI. When I write books, I use AI to check grammar before I send my manuscript to my editor. I also sometimes use AI to look up things I don’t know. For example, in my Loong book, I used AI to find out what sound heavy rain makes in English: pitter-patter (in Chinese it would be “hualala”!).

AI illustrations are also very powerful now. Illustrators are expensive to hire. If an author uses AI for illustrations, he or she can save a lot of money. So why do so many authors still choose to work with real illustrators?

I explained this briefly in a Facebook post, and it received almost 1,000 likes and nearly 200 comments. In it I wrote:

For those of you who are wondering why AI illustrations are not acceptable, take a look at the difference between an artist-designed cover and an AI-designed cover. The AI cover burns my eyes. I am so happy I have Arthur Lin as my illustrator. Among the 50+ 5-star reviews I got on Amazon within a month, so many complimented the illustrations. Yes, AI is cheaper, and if you are only writing a book for a special little one, go ahead and use it. But if you want to sell your books to strangers, stay away from AI illustrations. There is no way you can convince strangers that your story is not written by AI when you use AI illustrations. Plus, AI illustrations take away half of the creation and half of the soul of your book. (link to the post: https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1GURR3eTva/)

Let me clarify: I’m not against AI. Even the post above was checked by AI. AI is my new Grammarly. Used properly, AI is powerful — and it is part of our future. However, it cannot replace everything, especially human creativity. Writers are creators. So are illustrators. AI is a replicator. Replicators produce. Creators inspire.

Children’s books, more than any other kind of book, are built on warmth, imagination, and emotional connection. The illustrations are not decorations; they are storytelling. They carry feelings that come from a human heart. That is why children’s book illustrations should remain AI-free — not because AI is evil, but because children deserve something made by real hands and real hearts.

Posted on March 3, 2026