Bold, contrasting colors supposedly capture young children’s attentions longer. So that’s where I started my color tests, having decided to gear my book to a younger audience. Color is also CRUCIAL to the overall tone of a book, as bold, bright colors are going to stimulate, while pastels tend to soothe or relax.
The style of illustration also influences color choice. Had I gone with a sketchy, less graphic style, I likely would've chosen soothing colors. Ultimately, I wanted to LIKE the colors as I'll be living with them for a LONG time.
In the end, I fell into my final color palette simply by testing numerous color combinations. That, coupled with seeing how some colors “settle” into the background while others scream “Look at ME!” influenced my final palette. And for the better, I might add!