Her watercolor and colored pencil illustrations are known for their glowing depiction of babies, toddlers, and their parents in idyllic rural and domestic settings.
[1] Soon after college graduation, Eloise and friend Joan Esley opened an art studio in Rochester, NY but struggling to find work, the pair moved to New York City, where Century Company gave Eloise her first book to illustrate, The Shining Hours.
Early in her career Eloise illustrated paper dolls for Samuel Gabriel & Sons, Playtime House and Jaymar.
A devout Christian, Wilkin frequently illustrated religious picture books including several compilations of prayers for children.
Wilkins occasionally revised her illustrated works to reflect changing cultural norms.
The New Baby, first published in 1948, depicted an expectant mother just days away from birth with no visible signs of pregnancy.
Nikita Khrushchev saw the doll in the window of FAO Schwarz during his 1960 visit to New York City and purchased 13 to take back to the Soviet Union.