An international publishing charity specialising in free illustrated digital books for children has teamed up with Birmingham City University to give students an opportunity to see their work published online.
Booktime, which reaches around 250,000 online readers globally and has an app that has been downloaded over a million times, is working with undergraduates on the university’s Illustration courseto create character designs and sample artwork.
The module entitled From Brief to Publication gives students the chance to take a manuscript from initial sketches to a fully illustrated book, with guidance and feedback from Booktime’s editorial team.
Booktime, launched in 2024 by the charity Hindawi Foundation, is a not-for-profit digital platform creating free children’s books in multiple languages, with new original stories and illustrations released every month.
Titles include retold fairy tales such as Little Red Riding Hood and The Gingerbread Man, alongside original stories and educational books exploring history, animals, adventure, friendship and everyday life.
“We’re building a library of original stories in many languages, and fantastic illustrations are key,” said Ahmed Hindawi, founder of charity Hindawi Foundation.
“Working with students brings new ideas and perspectives, and we’re always excited to see what emerging illustrators can do.”
“Students start by selecting a manuscript and bringing it to life with their own character designs and sample illustrations, receiving guidance from Booktime’s editorial team.
“They then create a complete set of black-and-white and colour artworks, which will then be assessed for both quality and how well they reflect the story.
“Creators whose work stands out may be commissioned to complete the illustrations, with the finished book published as part of Booktime’s children’s library.”
Helen Wheeler, course director for Birmingham City University’s Illustration course, said the scheme gives participants the chance to tackle real client briefs as part of the course’s Live Projects module.
“Projects like this are incredibly valuable for our course members. There is nothing more transformative than watching emerging illustrators step into a live brief, responding to the same pressures, expectations, and standards that shape our industry.
“They gain genuine insight into professional briefing, the level of refinement expected in both concept and software execution, and the value of clear, confident communication.
“Presenting their ideas to industry professionals pushes them to articulate their thinking with purpose and resilience.
“When there is the real possibility of a commission at the end of the module, the stakes shift – the work becomes far more considered and resolved, building portfolios, professional identity, and helping participants see themselves as practising illustrators whose work can reach audiences worldwide.”
Students can choose from five manuscripts: Am I Too Messy?, about a playful, messy child; A Pet’s Tale: Josephine Baker, following the adventures of Josephine Baker’s cheetah, Chiquita; The Very Hungry Dragon, a tale about a dragon with an enormous appetite; Perseus and Medusa, the classic Greek myth; and The War of the Worlds, H.G. Wells’ sci-fi story of an alien invasion.
Once downloaded, books can be read offline, making them accessible anywhere.
“With Booktime, our mission is simple,” added Dr Hindawi, “to make beautiful, high‑quality stories accessible to every child in the world, no matter what language they speak.
“We believe children deserve to see themselves reflected in the stories they read, and that’s why we’re committed to expanding our library into more and more languages.”
Hindawi Foundation is set to roll out the From Brief to Publication assignment across the country, with students at Westminster University in London, the next to take part.
Hindawi Foundation produces free children’s books in multiple languages, commissioning original stories and illustrations each month. The Booktime app and website currently offer books in nine languages and hope to expand its catalogue to 15 by 2027.
