Want to get to know one of the incredible creative minds behind the Your Next Read junior fiction novels? Read on!
Jess Racklyeft creates a variety of illustrated things – picture books, paintings, prints, pins and cards.
She works from her studio at the Abbotsford Convent, not far from a little farm and the river. Her art often combines collage – either on paper or digitally assembled, experimentation and lots of watercolour.
Jess worked in publishing sales for almost a decade before making the leap to full-time illustration, and since then illustrated and written over 40 picture books and has won several illustration accolades including CBCA Picture Book of the Year for Iceberg (written by Claire Saxby) and an Eve Pownall Honour Award for Australia: Country of Colour.
Her work can now be found in bookshops and libraries across Australia, and her days are happily spent in a messy studio or on school visits.
Jess is the illustrator of ‘The Guinea Fowl Mystery’, written by Amelia Mellor, one of four new titles in the Your Next Read Gold series (for readers aged 7-9) released this month.
We asked Jess to share some insights about herself and her creative process, and to take our Your Next Read Icons challenge!
YKNR: What were your first impressions when you read ‘The Guinea Fowl Mystery’ as a manuscript?
Jess: ‘I was thrilled to receive the manuscript because
A. Amelia is an amazing writer, and
B. Guinea Fowl are about the best thing I could think of to draw many times.’
What are you thinking about when you are illustrating a story for readers 7+? How are they different from younger or older readers?
Jess: ‘I tried to sprinkle more detail into the work, and have some funny little “easter eggs” to find, like the frog in the pond and little birds playing outside the window. I didn’t think about them being particularly different to other books, just that the text needed a slightly tweaked way of working as I’m used to working with less text and detail.’
What’s the hardest thing about illustrating a story for this age group?
Jess: ‘Just making sure I didn’t mess up – my kids (just over this age range) constantly bust me for poor wonky perspectives and characters not looking consistent enough, so I had their voices in my head when I worked on this!’
Why did you want to be part of the Your Next Read Gold series?
Jess: ‘The core idea of these books is to put great (interesting, funny, unique and new) Australian stories into the world to encourage joy in reading. Sign me up! I was also very excited to be creating work for a slightly older audience than I usually do, in black and white – all first times for me.’
Discover more information about the Your Next Read icons here.
If you had to describe YOURSELF in three Your Next Read icons, which would you choose?
Jess: Family, animals and heartwarming.
Choose the three icons that describe the kinds of STORIES that you love to read
Jess: Mystery, animals, heartwarming – so I think this text was a perfect fit.
What’s your best tip for young illustrators?
Jess: ‘Just draw every day. Even in math. On the bus. Doodle on your english assignment. (Tell your teacher I said it’s ok). It all adds up to finding your style – what you like to draw and how you do it!’
Want more?
Allison Tait interviewed Jess Racklyeft for the 2025/26 Summer Series of the Your Kid’s Next Read podcast, diving deep into her creative process and career.
Have a listen here to find out about how crying got Jess started as an illustrator, working with a ‘fear factor’, building a career book by book and more!
About ‘The Guinea Fowl Mystery’ by Amelia Mellor, illustrated by Jess Racklyeft
Do you like MYSTERY, FAMILY and ANIMALS?
Then this book is YOUR NEXT READ.
Hazel and Ava love all the animals on their family’s farm … until the guinea fowl arrive. They’re noisy, messy and always causing trouble. Then one day, they disappear! Can Hazel and Ava solve the guinea fowl mystery?
Buy here from your favourite online retailer
You might also like
Meet Sara Acton, illustrator of ‘Gabi Makes Room’ (Your Next Read Gold)
Meet Kylie Howarth, author of ‘Dragon Beach’ (Your Next Read Silver)
Meet Laura Stitzel, illustrator of ‘The Lonely Lunch Club’ (Your Next Read Silver)
