Ana Aranda

Ana Aranda is a children’s book creator, illustrator, and art instructor born in Mexico and living in Brooklyn, New York. Her work has been featured in galleries and museums in the United States, France, Mexico, Italy,Norway, and Japan. In San Francisco, she painted murals in the MissionDistrict, for the Consulate General of Mexico, and for the prestigious de Young Museum. She has collaborated with Google X, Amnesty International, 826 Valencia, the Charles M. Schulz Museum, Stanford Design Thinking School, UCBerkeley, Spoke Art Gallery, and Gallery Nucleus, among others. She is a member of SCBWI, PEN America, Society of Illustrators, Writers Council (National Writing Project), and Art Brand Alliance.

Ana’s biggest inspirations are her childhood memories, the vibrant colors of Mexico, and music. Her work focuses on transforming the everyday into fantastical situations, and often include images from nature and whimsical creatures. She has illustrated picture books published in France, Italy and the US, including The Chupacabra Ate the Candelabra by Marc Tyler Nobleman (Nancy Paulsen Books), Our Celebración! by Susan Middleton Elya (Lee & Low), and Moth& Butterfly: Ta Da! by Dev Petty (Nancy Paulsen Books). Our Day of theDead Celebration, her debut as author and illustrator, was released by Nancy Paulsen Books in fall 2022. Most recently, she illustrated How to Make a Memory byElaine Vickers (S&S/Paula Wiseman Books).  Axo, written and illustrated by Ana, is set to release in spring 2026.

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