Astounding Picture Book Signings
Look book
A Picture Book Achievement: 25 Astounding New Signings
Welcome to Astound’s New Picture Book Lookbook!
This all-new, highly selective showcase emerged from an 8-month-long global scouting mission to discover the next generation of exceptional picture book illustrators.
At Astound US, we’re known for being drawn to better, and this curated collection reflects exactly that focus. From bold new v oices to beautiful visual storytellers, this lookbook features 25 newly signed illustrators representing the best in contemporary children’s illustration.
These illustrators join our roster of award-winning, best-selling talent. Within these pages you will find original, story-led artwork, including pieces shaped through collaboration with the artists. Each piece is created to bring unforgettable stories to life.
We’re proud to introduce you to the future of picture books.
Hana Augustine
Nimra Komal
Eleanor Jones
Christina Kavourinou
Pranami Bora
Bella Ansori
Inge
Daniels
Maren
Tjielta Thu
Franciscus Sancho Alfonso
Lana Tihonovich
Lana Tihonovich is a children’s book illustrator based in the picturesque city of Gdańsk, Poland. From a young age, her passion for drawing shone through, earning her top prizes in art competitions. After a brief pause from her craft, she rediscovered her love for illustration and dived back into the world of children’s stories.
Zhiheng Su
Zhiheng Su was originally born and raised in China and is now based in Montreal, Canada. His illustration experience began under the influence of his grandfather. He was Zhiheng’s personal mentor, imparting a solid foundation in fine arts and introducing Zhiheng to various traditional painting styles.
Shannon Henley
Shannon Henley was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio. There, she earned her Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in illustration from the Cleveland Institute of Art. Both her grandmother and mother were children’s librarians, so growing up she was always immersed in the wonderful world of picture books.
Natalí Barbani
Natalí Barbani was born in Argentina in 1989. During the first years of her career she primarily worked illustrating prints for backpacks and children’s stationery, but since 2018 she has worked freelance, combining both illustration and design from her studio in Buenos Aires.
Pranami Bora
Pranami Bora is a self-taught illustrator based in northern Italy. She was born in a little town in the northeast Indian state of Assam, home to more than hundred different ethnic groups with their own distinct identities and traditions. The diverse cultures and beauty of the nature has been her biggest artistic influences.
Nikos Yanopulos
Nikos Yanopulos was born in Athens and grew up in a small mountain town. Coming home from school one day, he noticed people carrying a large crate outside the local pub. As he approached, the most marvellous art appeared. An arcade machine, were colourful heroes in beautiful poses fighting goblins and dragons.
Gueli González
Gueli González is a Spanish illustrator, born and raised in the Andalusian city of Jaén. From a young age he loved animated fairytales, which inspired him to start drawing. He studied Illustration and later specialised in Concept Art and Character Design in Lightbox Academy and U-tad.
Lauren Hubbert
Lauren Hubbert lives in the North East of England, where she studies her illustration degree. Inspired by nature, animals and trips to galleries/museums, her work is often created digitally, although she enjoys experimenting with traditional media and incorporating this into her digital work.
Hana Augustine
Hana Augustine is an artist based in Indonesia. As a young girl, she always had paper and pen on her, everywhere she went. Drawing was a way to express her inner emotion, this is why her expressive characters are such a prominent feature in Hana’s illustrations.
Bella Ansori is a talented children’s illustrator based in the vibrant city of Malang, Indonesia. Her passion for drawing appeared since Kindergarten. She loves to watch Disney animation, and chose a vocational high school which specialized in animation.
Bella Ansori
Rachel Foo is an illustrator, born in a Malaysian town famous for its beansprouts. She graduated with Honours in Illustration from Curtin University in Australia, and worked for several years as a concept artist and visual developer at several Australian indie game development studios in Melbourne before returning to Malaysia.
Rachel Foo
Yvonne Wu is a Taiwanese illustrator and designer based in New York City. She holds an MFA in Illustration from the Academy of Art University and specializes in creating charming characters, vibrant environments, and heartwarming stories. Her work spans children’s illustration, art licensing, editorials, branding, and 2D animation.
Yvonne Wu
Sara Ly-Tan
Sara Ly-Tan is a creative storyteller who enjoys illustrating warm, memorable moments, about family, friendships, and the small things. She was born in Ottawa but also grew up in Philadelphia, Montreal, and Toronto. Inspired by her oldest sister at a young age, Sara taught herself to draw with a special interest in people.
Nimra is an illustrator based in Islamabad, Pakistan. Growing up on the outskirts of Pakistan’s largest desert, she was inspired by its serene, golden landscapes and the rich cultures of indigenous tribes. She specializes in digital painting but also works with oils and watercolors.
Nimra Komal
Inge Daniels
Inge Daniels fell in love with illustrating when she was very small but momentarily forgot and ended up studying Graphic Design at the University of Lincoln (UK), leading to a career in design. Throughout the course, she rediscovered her love for drawing, and her design background now helps her navigate the art of creating picture books.
Laura Mitchell is a Freelance Illustrator currently living in Minneapolis, MN. Before becoming self-employed, Laura worked for several years within the publishing industry as a Designer and Art Director of children’s books. Prior to working in publishing, Laura was an Art Consultant and Gallery Director at a Gallery in downtown Minneapolis.
Laura Mitchell
Josie Bitar
Josie Bitar is an artist born in Beirut in 1987, now based in a small village in the Swiss Alps. Her work blends vibrant color palettes with retro aesthetics and a touch of surrealism. She has illustrated three children’s books and recently brought to life an educational exhibition for kids focused on seeds and trees.
Sara Gaiaudi
Sara Gaiaudi is an Italian children’s book illustrator. A lifelong crafter and reader, she loves all things funny, cute, and sparkling. After studying Biomedical Engineering in Pisa, she followed her passion for drawing. Her art features animals and kids in colourful, detail-filled scenes.
Eleanor Jones
Based in Lincoln, UK, Eleanor Jones is an illustrator passionate about creating diverse characters that empower children and challenge stereotypes. With a background in childhood education and art, she draws on real experiences of how children play, learn, and connect with what is important to them.
Maren Tjelta Thu
Maren Tjelta Thu is an illustrator from Stavanger, Norway, where she currently lives. She studied illustration in Oslo and has worked as a freelance illustrator for over five years, mainly in children’s publishing. Her own book has been translated into ten languages. Maren’s style is colourful, detailed, and often humorous.
Elmira Georgieva
Elmira Georgieva is a children’s book illustrator from Bulgaria, now based in Barcelona. She has a background in fine arts and hold a bachelor’s degree in 2D Animation. Elmira strive to create uplifting, bright, and engaging art for children, focusing on themes of preserving nature and fostering kindness.
Lena Krapiva is a children’s book illustrator born in Moldova and currently living in Bangkok, Thailand. Lena has been drawing all her life, ever since she learned how to hold a pencil. At first she drew sketches, then in art school she moved on to landscapes, manga comics, and more.
Lena Krapiva
Hân Pham
Han Pham is an artist from Vietnam, graduated in Comic Art from the University of Fine Arts in Ho Chi Minh City. She has loved drawing since childhood and has a deep passion for children’s book illustration. Her love for kids inspires her to create joyful, colorful artwork that brings warmth and imagination to life.
Christina Kavourinou
Christina is half Greek, half French, born and raised in Greece. She started studying art in her twenties. Since the birth of her children, her art has changed: she found herself drawn to children’s books and began her work as an illustrator
Fransiscus Sachio Alfonso
Sachio is a skilled illustrator from Indonesia specializing in digital artwork. His passion lies in creating fantasy illustrations for all ages. His artistic style is deeply influenced by the animated shows he watched growing up.
About Us
Astound US Inc has been a leader in global artist representation since 2014. We have an international staff, with offices in New York City and London.
We aim high, to Astound, by being the agency with the best in contemporary children’s book illustration, licensing, and commercial art. We are Drawn to better. We excel in everything we do: from our bespoke heART strategy, to in-person presentations, project management, and the way we invoice.
We Astound by being great at what we do with a snappy, can-do, enthusiastic, talented, and creative attitude - all at no great expense. All these things make for an Astounding outcome.
We promise artists: Career advancements with the right clients, regular creative guidance, storybook development, direct connections with clients suited to your style, strong administrative support and on-time payment.
We promise publishers and buyers: We want to be the agency you heART! We offer a unique, individualized approach that allows you to heART Astounding artists you love. We save you time by providing quick access to your list of favorite heARTists for your upcoming projects. When you heART the artists you love, you do much more than create a list of heARTists matching your needs, they become your artists. All illustrator availability is shared on our website to save you valuable time.
Be drawn to better for an astounding outcome.
Christina Doffing
Tina (she/her) is an agent and our Global Manager and Creative Director here at Astound. She has always had a deep appreciation for Illustration and imagined herself having a life-long career in the Arts.
Rosie Barlow
Rosie (she/her) is the UK Manager at Astound. In everything Rosie does, she aims to ASTOUND! She is passionate about working with artists and publishers.
Imogen Holmes
Imogen (she/her) is a Brighton-based Artist Agent, working with publishers across the UK, Europe and Australia. She is always interested in learning about new titles and loves match-matching between artist and publisher.
Alice Jin Zhang
AJ (she/they) is an Artist Agent at Astound, driven to help illustrators and publishers realize the projects of their dreams. Based in southern California, she brings a well-rounded academic and professional background
Sol Salinas
Sol Salinas is an Artist Agent at Astound US. Based out of Texas, Sol utilizes their professional and academic background in both illustration and design to provide insight into the creative processes vital in the creation of children’s media.
Andrew Behr
Andrew is an Artist Agent here at Astound. He has had a diverse career across freelance illustration, design, and creative consulting work for clients solving unique visual and marketing challenges
