About the Illustrators
Aaron Bowersock
Aaron Bowersock is a “Professional Art Dad” who grew up playing with his forty cousins in Milwaukee, WI. Though they lived in the Midwest, they were very much “Tejano” thanks to their grandmother, Josefa, being from Crystal City, TX. Professionally, he worked as an agency designer and illustrator for more than thirteen years before stepping away to raise his kids. These days he’s using those visual art and design skills to create work inspired by gaming, gardening, food, family, and his upbringing. His two kids inspired him to create books to introduce them to their culture and share it with others.
Aaron Bowersock is the author & illustrator of Paletas.
Ana C. Esparza
Ana C. Esparza is an illustrator based in Guadalajara, Mexico. Born in Sinaloa, she studied integral design and has always loved learning through the creative processes and people around her. The work Ana enjoys most is editorial illustration with educational and recreational purposes for all ages.
Ana C. Esparza is the illustrator of Carlota Shares Her Secret / Carlota Cuenta Su Secreto.
Ana Godinez
Ana Godinez's love of art started at a young age and followed her to USC where she graduated with a degree in English Literature and Fine Arts. Ana has worked behind the scenes as a graphic designer for several companies and organizations. Today, Ana works as lead Graphic Designer at Lil' Libros.
Her newest and most challenging project is tackling the illustrations of Vámonos, a new travel series by Lil' Libros, that takes readers on a ride to the sights and sounds of Latin America. When Ana is not glued to her computer, she's traveling in search of inspiration, or playing at home with her pet rabbit.
Ana Godinez has illustrated 12 books with Lil’ Libros, including VÁMONOS: Los Angeles.
Cassie Gonzales
Cassie Gonzales is a native Houstonian who now lives in NYC. She is a full-time book cover designer who tries to read every book she designs from cover to cover. Cassie graduated with a BFA from Pratt Institute, where she discovered her love for design and hand lettering. J is for Janucá is her debut as a picture book illustrator.
Cassie Gonzales is the illustrator of J is for Janucá.
Citlali Reyes
Citlali Reyes is a Mexican author and illustrator. Since she was a child, she always loved doodling and telling stories through images; this drew her to the enchanting world of illustration where she has resided for more than ten years. In 2014, she partnered with Lil’ Libros to create their first three books and over time she has illustrated more than forty bilingual children’s books for the publisher. She debuted as author and illustrator with the book, Sana, sana, colita de rana. When she is not drawing for countless hours, Citlali enjoys reading, stargazing or playing around with her camera. She lives in the country of Kosovo.
Citlali Reyes has illustrated 50+ books with Lil’ Libros, including Singing / Cantando De Colores.
D Guzmán
D Guzmán is a Latine illustrator for picture books and freelance work. She lives in Minneapolis, MN with her partner, two cats, dog, many fish, and her own jungle of houseplants. D loves to take road trips and travel with her partner to find inspiration. When she’s not illustrating children’s books, she runs an at-home print shop and creates and sells her own illustration prints online. D has worked with Target and Pollen Midwest. She has exhibited her work with Family Tree Clinic and Light Grey Art Lab.
D Guzmán is the author & illustrator of Milo + Niko.
Eliza Moreno
Eliza Moreno, an illustrator born in a peaceful desert city in northern Mexico, has forged her artistic path with academic training in language and audiovisual production at the UANL Faculty of Visual Arts. With more than 7 years dedicated to editorial illustration, Eliza finds everyday life, harmony, and small details an inexhaustible source of inspiration.
Eliza Moreno is the illustrator of Cocinando on Cook Street.
Ellia Ana Hill
Ellia Ana Hill is a Puerto Rican cut paper illustrator and artist. She creates hand-cut whimsical illustrations from a mix of vintage and modern papers. Her work is influenced by her familia, pop culture, toys, retro goodness, curly hair, and childhood adventures. Ellia earned a BFA from the Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design with an emphasis on illustration and creative writing. She has participated in gallery shows by Netflix, Disney, American Horror Story, Hasbro, and more – all the while raising 6 kids with her husband. Ellia and her family live in Milwaukee, WI.
Ellia Ana Hill is the illustrator of 3 books with Lil’ Libros including Medias naranjas: Diego & Frida.
Eric Ramos
Super Torta! is an autobiography of imagination, comprised of personal memories, influences, & experiences by author and illustrator Eric Ramos. The story was originally written in 7th grade as a class project reflecting on a 3rd grade school field trip experience, then written & illustrated as a creative outlet while working in the real estate "adult" world. Growing up in a predominantly Latino neighborhood in Norwalk, CA - (by the outskirts of Los Angeles), Ramos, his mother and 4 siblings would often walk through a historic gang turf known as the "One Ways", to visit the library after school. It was there where the love for books was fosters and imagination continued to thrive as an adult. This is Ramos story to every child, may they summon their imagination to change any situation, because in this world: Imagination is a super power!
Eric Ramos is the author & illustrator of Super Torta!
Hazel Quintanilla
Hazel Quintanilla has been drawing since she was little and used to carry a pencil and a small notebook in a cute furry bear face purse that her mom bought for her. She also carried cheese cubes in it (ewww!). When she grew up, she decided to follow her passion and studied graphic design, followed by an MA where she specialized in illustration. She has produced work for numerous brands, magazines, and books, illustrating over a hundred children's books published in the United States and worldwide. Hazel loves animals, pj’s, and her iPad, in which she produces most of her art. She’s the proud mom of 9 dogs and really loves her job and enjoys putting the bold colors and cute shapes living in her mind on paper.
Hazel Quintanilla is the illustrator of El pato y sus zapatos.
Heidi Moreno
Heidi Moreno is a first-generation Mexican-American born in East Los Angeles. She is an illustrator creating spooky art with an emphasis on cozy environments and nostalgia. When she was in elementary school, she wrote and illustrated stories about witches and cats and stapled them to look like real books. Today she continues her legacy with the same tools from school: colored pencils. She lives in Los Angeles with her spaceman Danny and two cute gatos, Peanut and Momo. On most days she’s feeding community cats and eating vegan treats.
Heidi Moreno is the author & illustrator of Luna Oscura.
J de laVega
J de laVega is an author-illustrator of Puerto Rican descent currently residing in Southern California with her partner, their children, and an ever-growing number of animals. Before becoming an author, J was a chef; she dreams of one day creating an entire line of graphic novel cookbooks. When she’s not drawing or writing, J enjoys planning out the perfect chef’s farm, remodeling dollhouses, and plotting new ways to convince her partner to get her a miniature cow. She hopes to use her platform for social justice and equity literacy.
J de laVega is the author & illustrator of Wepa.
Jayri Gómez
Jayri Gómez is a full-time children's book illustrator born and raised in the Dominican Republic. From a very young age, Jayri knew that she wanted to dedicate herself to drawing in the future, but didn't know that illustrating books was her dream job until she reached adulthood. She has published several books and works with diverse brands, publishing houses, and independent authors. Publishing with Lil' Libros, The Stars of Din is her authorial debut; she illustrated My First Space Words in English and Spanish. She enjoys watching movies, especially Harry Potter or anything horror, and listening to music. She's a strong believer in using as many colors as she can in both her drawings and her clothes. She continues to live in the Dominican Republic, spending time with her three kittens, Momo, Ginny and Lilo.
Jayri Gómez is the illustrator of My First Space Words.
Joaquin Carreño Alonso
Joaquin Carreño Alonso is an artist from Mexico City who produces his work through different mediums, such as oil, watercolor, and gouache. He has exhibited his artwork in several Mexican cities, collaborated with international brands, and participated in the graphic aspect of some editorial projects. Quotidian situations are rooted in the heart of his work, mixed with magical elements and characters, physically captured with a style that has become characteristic in his pieces.
Joaquin Carreño Alonso is the illustrator of Eva and the Impossible Tin Can Telephone.
Jorge Garza
Jorge Garza is a Mexican-American illustrator from Indiana, where he currently resides. Jorge is best known for an art style mashing up Aztec art and pop culture called Azteca Pop. Jorge’s art went viral with his Azteca Pop drawings of various cultural icons and his ongoing art series highlighting essential and frontline workers. His artwork has exhibited at the National Museum of Mexican Art in Chicago as well as the Amor Eterno Art Gallery in Oakland. He also enjoys writing and drawing his own comic books.
Jorge Garza is the illustrator of Sábado.
Jose Ramirez
Jose Ramirez is an artist. In the past 30 years, he has illustrated children’s books, painted murals and completed numerous commissions. Ramirez is also an educator and has taught in the LAUSD for over 30 years. He is currently a teacher at Esperanza Elementary, located in the Pico-Union neighborhood of Los Angeles. He received a BFA (1990) and an MFA (1993) in art from UC Berkeley. In 1995, he received a California Teaching Credential from CSULA. When Jose is not creating, he enjoys gardening, cooking, and playing music. He is a proud father of 3 daughters: Tonantzin, Luna, and Sol. For more info, visit Jose at www.ramirezart.com or on Instagram @joseramirezart.
Jose Ramirez is the illustrator of Mi papá es un agricola.
Judith Valdés Breidenstine
Growing up in Mexico, Judith loved to listen to her father's stories. They were simple and short on words, yet wondrous. She often drew pictures of her favorite ones, hoping someday to retell his tales. In time, Judith began creating and illustrating her own stories. As an adult, Judith called California home. However, she has also lived in London, Brussels, and Bangkok, delighting in a wealth of diverse stories from around the globe. Of indigenous Mexican descent, Judith celebrates multiculturalism through writing and illustrating. In her spare time, she has served with migrant organizations focused on meeting the needs of families. Judith is married and has three children, who are her inspiration.
Judith Valdés Breidenstine is the illustrator of La azotea de mi abuela.
Karla Monterrosa
Karla Monterrosa was born and raised in sunny San Salvador, El Salvador. She’s an illustrator and animator on a mission to draw a world in which it’s okay to feel awkward. Karla graduated from Emily Carr University of Art + Design with a BFA in Animation in 2013 and currently lives in the unceded, ancestral lands of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Thleil-Watuth nations, also known as Vancouver, BC.
Karla Monterrosa is the illustrator of Yefferson, Actually / En realidad, es Yefferson.
Laura Díez
Laura Díez was born and lives in Colombia, a beautiful country full of joy, nature and kind people. After studying graphic design and working entirely as a designer for several years, she realized that her real passion was illustration, so she decided to quit her job to become a full-time illustrator, having the opportunity to work with different brands and people around the world. El ABC de las telenovelas will be her first collaboration with Lil’ Libros in which she wants to show a universe full of color and joy, since these concepts are a fundamental part of her work and her life.
Laura Díez is the illustrator of El ABC de las telenovelas.
Luis San Vicente
Born in Mexico City, the eldest son of Don Miguel and Doña Pilar, Luis San Vicente showed a devotion to drawing since his childhood and embedded artwork on notebooks, papers, desks, and any surface that allowed ink or pencil. With childhood ambition, he studied graphic communication design at UAM. For almost twenty years, he worked as the coordinator of the art department of the Reforma newspaper. He has illustrated more than 50 children's books for publishers in Mexico, the United States, and other parts of the world. His work has been recognized with several national and international awards, having won twice the catalog of illustrations for children and youth and been the recipient of the Noma-Concours Encouragement Prize.
Luis San Vicente is the author & illustrator of Huesos.
Mariana Galvez
Mariana Galvez was born in Mexico and grew up in South Los Angeles. It was during weekend trips to the library in her childhood that her love for illustrating and writing was forged. After a number of years in the corporate world, she was called back to illustrating when creating art for her three children. Little Astrology Catrinas will be her first collaboration with Lil’ Libros. She wants to bring a fresh and imaginative perspective to catrinas. She currently resides in Whittier, CA with her husband where she loves to garden, cook vegan food, and chase after her beloved dog and cat.
Mariana Galvez is the author & illustrator of Little Astrology Catrinas.
Nqobile Adigun
Nqobile Adigun is an illustrator whose love for storytelling through pictures stems from a natural inclination towards all things creative since childhood. She’s on a mission to create meaningful and fun art for children, where they can see themselves as the worthy and capable people they are. She is also a primary school teacher who has the privilege of teaching art among other subjects. She currently lives in Durban, South Africa with her beloved husband and two wonderful children and enjoys spending time outdoors.
Nqobile Adigun is the illustrator of My Mind is a Mountain.
Pakoto
Born in Albacete (Spain), Pakoto is an illustrator working in the world of animation. He has done visual development and character design for studios like ReelFx, Screen Novelties, and Netflix. His artwork has also been featured in numerous galleries around the world, including Gallery 1988, Gallery Nucleus, and Bottleneck Gallery.
Pakoto is the illustrator of Kid del Toro.
Patricia Romanov
Patricia Romanov is an illustrator working in the animation industry who loves classic cartoons, children’s horror tales, and fireside stories. She has worked in the fashion and publishing industries, as well as in film and TV productions as a character designer and concept artist.
Patricia Romanov is the illustrator of Ring Around The Rosie.