Contest: Draw the Fairy Cottage!

Posted August 7, 2025

Dear teachers and parents,

I am getting ready to publish my next book, a novel for middle grade readers (ages about 7-12) that takes place in a little house called “The Fairy Cottage.” In the story, the main character, Ada, does a drawing of the house. I would love to include actual kid art in the book, so I am asking you to spread the word to your children and students.

All relevant information is below. Feel free to share it. Please let me know if you have any questions!

Suki

Draw the Fairy Cottage!

What is the context of this drawing in the story?

The Fairy Cottage was neglected for years, and it only has bare earth and a lemon tree in the yard. 11-year-old Ada wants to design a garden for the Fairy Cottage, so she draws a picture of the cottage with the garden she can see in her mind.

What is the medium?

Your drawing must be in pencil or black pen only on plain white paper. (Optionally, after you scan the black and white image, you may color it in and send me a 72 dpi scan as well—just for use online.)

What will Prof. Suki do with the drawings?

I will choose one of the drawings to put into the actual book. All the rest of the drawings will be displayed with the artist’s first name on my website after the book is published.

What does the Fairy Cottage look like?

It looks like this beautiful painting by artist Cara Bevan, which is going to be on the cover of the book. At the time Ada makes her drawing, there is only bare dirt around it, and the single lemon tree.

Should my drawing be an exact copy of this painting?

No, your drawing shouldn’t be a “copy” of this painting. Imagine that you see this house next door to yours, but with only bare dirt and the lemon tree. You will do what Ada does: create a drawing to plan what the house will look like once they plant the garden. You get to make up the garden that you’d like to see!

How should I submit my work?

Do your drawing in pencil or black ink on plain white paper.
Scan your drawing at high resolution since it might be printed. Here are some options:
1. Do a flatbed scan at 300 dpi (best).
2. Take a photo with your camera set at highest resolution (watch out for shadows and distortion when you do this).
Your parent must subscribe to KidsLearn at https://kidslearn.substack.com for email verification. (Your parent is free to unsubscribe after the artwork is received.) Any emails I receive not from subscribers will be deleted.
Your parent will then email teach@sukiwessling.com. Either:
1. Attach the file, or
2. Upload the file to Google Drive, iCloud, or Dropbox and invite teach@sukiwessling.com to view it.
The email should include the name (either first name only or first and last) that you want to see on your work. By sending the email, your parent gives Suki Wessling permission to use the work.

Do I keep the copyright on my work? Do I get compensation? What are the rules?

By submitting your work, your parent agrees that Suki Wessling is allowed to have the option to print your work in the book, e-book, and all reissues of the book. Your parent agrees that Suki Wessling may use it in any medium including social media for publicity purposes. Your parent will share the first name or full name that should be used for attribution.
This book is a labor of love and there will be no payment for your work.
As the artist, you retain full copyright of your work and you can do whatever else you would like with the original!

What is the deadline?

Please ask your parent to subscribe and then email me the scan by September 10.
I will decide which drawing will go into the book by September 15 and email everyone my choice.
I will contact everyone who submits a drawing with a publication date when I have a firm date.

I’m looking forward to seeing your wonderful drawings!

~ Prof. Suki