Let's get ready to illustrate

Its monday morning, and i am pausing before i start the day. Today I have a few hours before classes, so I am going to work on illustrating for a while. I have been commissioned to illustrate a children's book and I'm really excited about it! That being said, my personal artwork dealing with my own invention will be a little less until i get all this illustration done, but you know how it is. One thing after another- We can only do what we can do. 

Anyone out there have any tips on illustration?