Just Us Books blog

ILLUSTRATOR Leslie Harrington

LESLIE HARRINGTON says her work as an artist is best described by the phrase “draw with a pencil, paint with a mouse.” After earning a BFA in Illustration from The Columbus
College of Art & Design, she worked for several years as a background painter in the children’s videogame industry. Now a fulltime illlustrator, she uses pencil and PhotoShop to create the vibrant illustrations that have been published in Highlights Magazine and several educational books. Conrad Saves Pinger Park is her first published picture book.

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Conrad Saves Pinger Park

ILLUSTRATOR Ron Garnett

RON GARNETT is an accomplished illustrator and graphic designer who has illustrated a number of books for children. They include the Great Black Heroes series published by Scholastic. A few of those titles include Great Black Heroes: Five Brave Explorers, and Great Black Heroes, Five Bold Scientists. He also illustrated Courtney's Birthday Party, published by Just Us Books and Peach When the Well Run Dry, published by Marimba Books. Ron lives in Kansas City, MO.

Courtney's Birthday Party

Peach When the Well Run Dry

ILLUSTRATOR Priscilla Garcia Burris

Illustrator, designer and author, Priscilla Garcia Burris was born and raised in Southern California. An artist from a very early age, she earned degrees in both Fashion Design and Early Childhood Education, and taught pre-school for several years. She serves on the Board of Advisors for the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, and she has illustrated educational, mass maket and trade books and other materials for children, parents and teachers. Her published books include Five Green and Speckled Frogs, which she wrote and illustrated; What Do Angels Do?, and I Love You All Day Long, which she illustrated.

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Aloha for Carol Ann

ILLUSTRATOR Laura Freeman

Laura Freeman began her career in art as an editorial illustrator for publications such as The New York Times Book Review, The National Law Journal and New York Magazine. Now she focuses almost exclusively on illustrating books for children including Nikki and Deja, A Brave Spaceboy, A Wild Cowboy, Jazz Baby and Bible Songs for the Very Young. She lives in New York City with her husband and their two young sons.

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Clothes I Love to Wear

Places I Love to Go

ILLUSTRATOR George Ford

GEORGE FORD is the illustrator of over thirty books for children including Jamal's Busy Day, Bright Eyes, Brown Skin; Afro-Bets First Book About Africa and Baby Jesus, Like My Brother. The first winner of the Coretta Scott King Award for illustration, for the book, Ray Charles, George Ford also illustrated The Story of Ruby Bridges by Robert Coles. Mr. Ford lives in Brooklyn, New York.

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Baby Jesus Like My Brother

Bright Eyes Brown Skin

Jamal's Busy Day

ILLUSTRATOR Michelle Dorenkamp

Michelle Dorenkamp has been drawing since age three. She earned a BFA in Illustration and has since illustrated more than fifty children’s books. Her work is also featured monthly in National Wildlife’s Wild Animal Baby magazine. Michelle works from her home studio using traditional watercolors, pen and inks, markers and prismacolors as well as digital illustration. She resides in St. Louis, Missouri, and enjoys spending free time with her family, especially her granddaughter Katlyn.

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Allie's World
Block Party

Allie's World
What Did Abuela Say?

ILLUSTRATOR Nancy Devard

Nancy Devard is a former engineer turned professional artist. After earning a Bachelor of Science from Temple University, and working as a Development Engineer, Ms. Devard finally decided to pursue her passion – fine art and illustration. Ms. Devard worked as staff artist for Hallmark Cards, creating bestselling original designs primarily for the Mahogany and Kids divisions. Today, as a freelance illustrator, she uses gesture and expression to tell stories, real or imaginary. "My thrill comes when I look work I've completed, feel a sense of satisfaction, and receive feedback from my clients that they are delighted with the results." The Secret Olivia Told Me is her first illustrated trade book. The Secret Olivia Told Me: winner of the 2008 Coretta Scott King Book Honor for illustration. Just Us Books extends warm congratulations to our talented artist Nancy Devard on this distinguished accomplishment.