Children's Book - Magic Brush

Written & Illustrated by Yanlin Han

Magic Brush is an original children’s story about a young girl who discovers a paintbrush that can bring anything she draws to life. Inspired by East Asian folk tales and my own love of drawing as a child, the book follows her as she uses her gift to create animals, plants, and magical creatures that brighten her village.

At first, the magic feels joyful and limitless. Her friends gather around with their own wishes—animals, pavilions, bridges, even a dragon to protect their home. But as the requests grow bigger and more complicated, the magic brush begins to strain under the weight of everyone’s dreams. Eventually, it snaps, releasing all the creatures into the sky and leaving the girl to reflect on what happened.

In the end, she learns that creating from the heart is more meaningful than creating under pressure or expectation. Without magic, she picks up her brush again—this time drawing simply because she loves it.

The illustrations combine soft textures, watercolor-inspired palettes, and expressive sketch lines to build a world that feels gentle, imaginative, and rooted in traditional storytelling. The book blends fantasy with a quiet emotional arc about creativity, generosity, and learning how to set boundaries.