Shirley Ng-Benitez

Shirley Ng-Benitez is a Bay Area author and illustrator who loves art, storytelling, and all things handmade. She’s had the honor of illustrating numerous board books, picture books, and an award-winning early reader chapter book series; and is currently working on her debut picture book, DOWN, THROUGH, UP from Quill Tree Books. She has a background in hand lettering (Professional Lettering Artist at American Greetings), and graphic design (owner of GabbyandCo.com) and continually experiments with traditional media including watercolor, gouache, painted & cut paper, and more recently small ceramic figurines.

Shirley believes that “Everyone’s a story.” and she has a deep wish to build more connection and compassion in the world through her work. In ’20 she founded @AWEtober (on Instagram), an art auction fundraiser supporting victims of the California wildfires, and coral restoration efforts around the globe. When not at her desk, you can find her enjoying time with her family and their two black cats, Miso & Luna; or on long walks capturing story ideas from the sights and sounds of the neighborhood geese, duck, sheep, and a little pygmy goat named Bolt. For more, please visit shirleyngbenitez.com.