Okay all you very smart folks.... Does anyone know a professional design software that would be BEST for illustrating and publishing children's books????

I've read that there is a difference between graphic design and desktop publishing.... but can anyone give me a heads up, so I will have some idea?

Thanks so much!

Are you mainly needing the software to do the drawing/art part?

here's some choices to explore from cnet- Illustration Software
http://download.cnet.com/windows/ill...?tag=ltcol;nav

Desktop Publishing Software -
http://download.cnet.com/windows/des...?tag=ltcol;nav

If you are sending off to a printer for the finished book, you might even be able to use hand drawn images.
Or hand draw/sketch and use a scanner to import on to computer.

I actually have the characters drawn and have scanned them into power point. So I've been printing out the books myself. But I'm starting to sell more, and feel like I need to kinda refine them to look more professional. So I'm a little at a loss how to go about it. I will check out these websites you gave me.
Thank you!

Hum....

I think Adobre Illustrator or Corel Draw could help....

I'm in the printing business so if you want the best, purchase the Adobe Suite which contains several programs. Four of which are: "Acrobat Pro" which trouble shoots pdfs and fixes many problems with pdfs, "InDesign" in which you build your pages, brochures, books etc. "Photoshop" to create and manipulate raster graphics and "Illustrator" in which you create and manipulate vector graphics.
You can purchase different combinations of the suite. Prices do very depending on the amount of software included and if you are not familiar with any professional publishing programs their will be one hell of a learning curve, so you will have to put your nose to the grindstone to get up to speed.
http://www.adobe.com/products/creativesuite/

Thank you so much...This is what I needed. Appreciate it!
Oh,,, how much ram does this require? any guess.
I'm needing to get a new computer. I want to also edit video clips. Any idea the amount of RAM I would need ... any suggestions on what kind computer?

You can use both Mac and PC for this software, however most seasoned graphic folks prefer a Mac (I can hear the outcrys now). In combo of video editing also I'd go with a Mac with some horse power. An Intel Mac using OSX leopard with atleast 4 gigs of ram to run this software. Even if you purchase a PC plenty of Ram is needed especially dealing with video in which I do also use Apple's Final Cut Pro, After Effects and DVD Studio Pro. Get plenty of books to read, and take some classes too. Good luck.

I am partial to Quark Express for publishing. Illustrator is great for your characters.

Quark is a good program and worked with it for years. It saved my hide many times. Unfortunitly they've lost plenty of market share. InDesign has become a very good and stable program with simularities in its tools and use related to Photoshop and Illustrator because it is an Adobe product.