Book Illustration

I am working on this illustration for a children's book. As you can see, it is still a work in progress. I am still figuring out the style and color...trying to get a traditional "safe" look. I feel as though, however, in achieving this feel I am not pushing the style in any new direction for either myself or the intended audience. It just looks like anything else you might see. Rather plain so far. Still, my client seems to want something along these lines. If I can pull this along, perhaps I can make a second version that is a bit more...daring. See you all real soon!