Celebrating Women Author Illustrators

This month, there was an incredible out-pouring of positivity and support for International Women’s Day on March 8. It’s so inspiring to see everyone’s photos, quotes, and moments shared online for such an uplifting day. In the spirit of what International Women’s Day started, I’m dedicating this post to my favorite woman author illustrator, as well as a few of my new discoveries.

Leuyen (Le-win) Pham is one of my favorite author illustrators. I had the pleasure of watching her speak at last summer’s SCBWI Summer Conference, and it was amazing to see her incredible talent, diverse style and overall sunny personality speak about writing and illustrating children’s books. She's illustrated picture books, chapter books, board books and graphic novels (I wish I could remember how many she said she had worked on the year I went to see her speak, but the number was incredible, I don't know where she finds the creative energy, but she is a magical author illustrator unicorn!) Pham is such an inspiration. I picked up The Bear Who Wasn’t There, and it’s one of my favorite picture books. Kids will love the unexpected main character of a wacky duck in a bear book and the suspense of waiting for the bear to show up. (Does he show up? Pick this book up and found out.) http://www.leuyenpham.com/

At this year’s L.A. Writer’s Day, I saw Bethany Barton speak about social media tips and share her latest books. Barton’s own story is one I could relate to- as someone who also has a day job outside of children’s picture books,

Barton has such a fun and gestural style, full of exciting color splashes, textures and brushstrokes. I picked up her book, I Tried to Love Spiders, a great pick for those who love spiders, and those who get a bit squeamish by them (like me). She also has an equally entertaining new book, "Give Bees A Chance", which 

Check her work out, she’s infuses humor and so many heart-felt thoughts- the dynamic of the inky splashes and the warm fuzzies is so striking and beautiful. http://www.bethanybarton.com/
​

And to round it up, I'm including a couple of moon-themed books that caught my eye on my last trip to the bookstore.  Moon: A Peek-Through Picture Book by Britta Teckentrup and Rabbit Moon by debut author illustrator Jean Kim. Maybe it was the full moon calling out to me that day, but the illustrations in both of these picture books are so beautiful and soothing.


Moon: A Peek-Through Picture Book by Britta Teckentrup creates slivers, then slices of cut-outs of the moon that kids will have fun watching grow. The illustrations of the animals in night-time scenes are beautifully quiet, but full of life.  http://www.brittateckentrup.com/


Rabbit Moon by Jean Kim introduces readers to the Korean lore of the rabbit (not the man) on the moon, and the universal desire for friendship and belonging. Kids will delight in this fresh take on wishes and enjoy the adorable furry characters. http://jeankim.me/

Do you have a favorite lady author illustrator? Please share if you do. This post was really fun, and I'd love to do another women author illustrator post and celebrate their incredible talent!

Sarah Momo Romero is a Japanese Peruvian American artist, a graphic designer by day and children's book author and illustrator by night.  She’s loved drawing and painting since she was a chiquita and now crafts stories of adventure and wondrous creatures. Sarah is an active SCBWI member who draws inspiration from her life in sunny Los Angeles with her husband/creative partner and dog/infamous escape artist, Peanut.  Look out for her first picture book, "Wake Up, Little Bat!" coming out in the Fall of 2018!

​You can find more of Sarah's musings and drawings here:
www.sarahmomoromero.com
Facebook: Sarah Momo Romero + Instagram: @sarahmomoromero + Twitter: @sarahmomoromero