Kaylani Juanita facts for kids
Kaylani Juanita McCard, known as Kaylani Juanita, is an artist who draws pictures for books and magazines. Her artwork often shows support for important causes like helping people of color and LGBTQ+ people feel strong and included. Her drawings have been featured in books from Chronicle Books and Lee & Low Books, and in Cicada Magazine.
Her first book as an illustrator was Ta-Da! by Kathy Ellen Davis. It was published by Chronicle Books and was nominated for an award for young readers. In 2018, ELLE Magazine wrote about her work and interviewed her. She had created special drawings to remember Nia Wilson, a young Black woman. In 2017, Kaylani also illustrated an article called "9 Books for Kids Who Care" by Guinevere de la Mare.
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Education and Learning
Kaylani Juanita went to B. Gale Wilson Elementary School and Rodriguez High School in Fairfield, CA. During one summer while in high school, she studied at CalArts, which is a famous art school. After high school, she attended Solano College before moving on to the California College of the Arts. There, she earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree in Illustration. A BFA is a special college degree for artists. She also studied for her Master's degree in Design at the University of California, Davis.
About Her Life
Kaylani Juanita lives in Fairfield, CA. She is a mixed-race person and is part of the LGBTQ+ community.
Awards for Her Work
When Aiden Became A Brother
Kaylani Juanita worked with Kyle Lukoff to create the book When Aiden Became A Brother, which came out in 2019. This book won the Stonewall Children’s and Young Adult Literature Award in 2020. It was also listed on the American Library Association Rainbow List and was recognized as a Charlotte Huck Award Honor Book. These are all important awards in the world of children's books.
Podcasts She's Been On
- The Creativity Habit
