About my illustrator . . . 

Gabriela is a proud Latina children’s book illustrator based in Southern California. A recent graduate of Cal State Fullerton, she earned her BFA in illustration, inspired by a lifelong love of picture books and animated films. Her work has been recognized by the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators with two awards, and she was selected as a mentee in the 2022 We Need Diverse Books Mentorship Program. In 2023, Gabriela was one of just 43 artists chosen out of more than 640 applicants to join Scholastic’s prestigious Art Mentorship Program.
To date, Gabriela has illustrated bilingual picture books for Lawley Publishing and Con Todo Press, bringing stories to life through her vibrant and heartfelt illustrations. When she's not working on her next book, she enjoys sketching and spending time with her dog, Mumu. Gabriela is also pursuing a master’s degree in art education, with the goal of teaching art at the elementary school level.