ILLUSTRATOR LOOKBOOK Cover art by: Alexandria Compo
2026-2027
ABOUT BOOKENDS At BookEnds, we believe that exceptional illustration is more than beautiful artwork, it’s storytelling. Our Art Department is dedicated to representing a talented and diverse roster of illustrators whose work captures readers and brings stories to life across children’s publishing, graphic novels, covers and interiors, licensing, editorial, and beyond. Our mission, like with our authors, is to build a lasting and sustainable career for our artists. We’re excited to work with you, our editorial and art colleagues, to find projects tailored to our artists’ strengths. We’re pleased to share this lookbook with you, and would love to be in touch about what you’re working on. If there’s an artist herein that catches your eye, please let us know, and if there’s a perfect project in your pipeline, we’ll be eager to hear from you.
JAMES MCGOWAN
NAOMI DAVIS
he/him
AJ ZHANG
they/them
she/they
SOPHIE SHEUMAKER
LAYLA FALLAH
she/her
she/they
DIRECTOR OF BOOKENDS JR
SENIOR AGENT
ARTIST AGENT
ASSOCIATE AGENT
LITERARY ASSISTANT
jmcgowan@bookendsliterary.com
ndavis@bookendsliterary.com
azhang@bookendsliterary.com
ssheumaker@bookendsliterary.com
lfallah@bookendsliterary.com
Not sure who to email? Reach out to us at info@bookendsliterary.com!
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terary.com lfallah@bookendsli
www. booke ndsl i t e rar y . com
Insun (Sunyo) Choi
h ps://www.sunyoillustration.com
Author-Illustrator I draw inspiration from my childhood, growing up between the sea and the mountains, which led me to explore nature, the unseen world, and the relationships between all beings. My work combines poetic storytelling with richly textured illustrations inspired by childhood memories, dreams, nature, animals, and children.I am particularly interested in the emotional connections between beings— not only between people, but among all forms of existence, both living and non-living. I currently teach young children and am represented by Sophie Sheumaker ssheumaker@bookendsliterary.com
The Treewoman Dodo, 2026
The Moon Is Up Tonight (2025) Picture book dummy
Hi, I’m Alexandria. I’m a diligent student of nature and art. I have a fondness for insects. My imagination burns the candle at both ends. I am liable to daydream.
I love (to draw and otherwise enjoy): • animals/nature • magical things • folk/fairytales • hidden worlds • poetry and music
Represented by: Sophie Sheumaker, ssheumaker@bookendsliterary.com Website: beetleinthehay.com Instagram: @beetleinthehay
My work is inspired by joy and liberation. I illustrate the world around me, highlighting the visual stories of marginalized communities. Creating colorful, expressive markmaking and visual storytelling is important to my work while exploring and mixing different mediums. I believe a better world is possible from the start of a blank page. I’m passionate about using my art to tell my story and the stories of others. When they ask me where my purpose meets my passion. I tell them it’s where my pen meets my paper. chosen mediums: watercolor, gouache, colored pencil, cut collage, and digital illustration
www.prettyininkpress.com looking for picture books, covers, interiors, food illustration, handlettering projects
Represented by: James McGowan jmcgowan@bookendsliterary.com
Did you bring it Fox?
I told you today was the day!
My books range from: board books picture books, chapter books & graphic novels
Ah, phew! Thanks!
I’m a Portuguese Author/Illustrator based in Ireland, who LOVES to draw and tell stories through books for children. I love funny and silly humour, but also whimsical imagery, which I try to bring more and more into my work.
There are more books, interviews and kids activities at: estrelalourenco.com
Represented by James McGowan jmcgowan@bookendsliterary.com
Airien Ludin is an Indonesian illustrator and designer who loves all forms of books. She believes storytelling is a way to connect with each other and with the natural world we share. Growing up watching her father’s theater performances and surrounded by her mother’s textile collection, she came to see storytelling as something woven into everyday life. She recently graduated with a Master of Fine Arts in Illustration from the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), where she continues to expand her practice.
“ A sensitive portrayal of a family working through grief together. A must-have for every library. ” School Library Journal
Hello!
I’m a Spanish-American whimsical illustrator inspired by folklore, fairy tales, mythology, childhood wonder, and the magic of nature. I love creating whimsical worlds inviting others to wander through enchanted places. I work primarily in traditional media, creating painterly illustrations by hand, while also enjoying digital painting as part of my creative process.
SOFIA M. MATA 'Chroma Kosmos Art’ chromakosmosart.com Represented by Naomi Davis ndavis@bookendsliterary.com
Interested in book covers, middle grade, chapter books, young adult, picture books and graphic novels!
I like - Board books - Picture books
she/her
- Young readers - Early graphic novels
Rep’d by James McGowan jmcgowan@bookendsliterary.com
- Covers
Hi! I’m Katie, a San Diego-based illustrator and I love working on stories oozing with humor and totally out-there situations. Do you need animals doing human-y things or characters embarking on unlikely adventures? I’m you’re gal! I also love to create witty adaptations on thematic classics whether it be for holidays, pop-culture or folktales! www.katiemcdee. com
@ katiemcdee.art
A Julian Plum (he/they) is a picture book author & illustrator working in gouache with a passion for cool light, bugs, and moss, among other things! He is also this guy here!
jUI aN pL uM.cO Represented by Naomi Davis ndavis@bookendsliterary.com
she/her
adrianetsai.com
Represented by Layla Fallah lfallah@bookendsliterary.com I’m an author-illustrator from Aguascalientes, Mexico. I love doing picture books, graphic novels and cover illustrations.
www.oscarzermeno.com
STAY UP TO DATE! We try to update our digital Lookbook monthly, but to get the most up-to-date look at our rosters of authors, please visit the BookEnds website, or scan one of the handy QR codes below!
OUR ILLUSTRATORS
OUR LOOKBOOK
Interested in an artist, but not sure who to email? Reach out to James! James McGowan Director of BookEnds Jr. jmcgowan@bookendsliterary.com
OUR COVER ARTISTS