Sonia Sánchez is an award-winning illustrator of over twenty picture books for children. She paints with both traditional and digital brushes using layers of texture in her work to evoke emotion and movement. Her debut picture book, Here I Am (Capstone), earned two starred reviews and was nominated for an Eisner Award for Best Painter Interior Art. Sonia’s artwork has been featured four times in the prestigious Society of Illustrators Original Art Show. She lives with her husband, children, and a sleepy cat in a blue house by the Mediterranean Sea.

Visit Sonia online at:

• Instagram | instagram.com/soniasillustration
• Website | soniasanchez.ultra-book.com
• Amazon Author’s Central

For more information, please contact Teresa Kietlinski at teresa(a)bookmarkliterary.com.

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Sonia’s Bookshelf:

Moon Moved In
by Sue Soltis
illus. by Sonia Sánchez | Chronicle | 2025
• an Amazon.com Best books of July for Ages 3-5, 2025
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★ “An adorable, funny, educational, and gorgeously illustrated picture book that will have teachers and children over the moon….the book delivers a strong dose of fun and facts about the importance of the moon to Earth’s tides, plants, and animals. VERDICT… a must-purchase.” —School Library Journal, starred review
★”The beautifully paced narrative contains the specificity, restraint, and humor that make for a truly great picture-book read. Textured digital compositions create changing moods as they move from starlit, inky night scenes to progressively more colorful, cheerful images of the Moon’s burgeoning garden. A lovely foray into a world of mystery and beauty, longing and delight.” — Kirkus, starred review
★ “The Moon Moved In is a charming, delightfully eccentric story with artwork that creates a tangible, welcoming world you never want to leave.” — BookPage, starred review
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TRANSLATION RIGHTS
Japanese | Hyoronsha Publishing Co., Ltd.
Traditional Chinese | Ollin Publishing Company

   
Tamales for Christmas
Tamales para Navidad
by Stephen Briseño
illus. by Sonia Sánchez | Random House Studio | 2024
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• TAMALES PARA NAVIDAD is a Chicago Public Library Best Book of 2024
• A Society of Illustrators Original Art Show selection, 2024
• A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection (English and Spanish editions), 2025
• A PUBLISHERS WEEKLY Best Book of the Year, 2025
• A CCBC Choices Best Book of the Year (Seasons and Celebrations), 2025
• a NCSS Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People Selection, 2025
• a Center for the Study of Multicultural Children’s Literature Best Books selectoin, 2024
• a MISelf in Books selection, Lower Elementary, 2025 (Michigan)
• a Volunteer State Book Awards, Primary Division selection, 2025-2026 (Tennessee)
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★“Sánchez’s expressive pastel-style illustrations, rendered digitally with handmade brushes and textures, show a loving and boisterious family who are happiest when they’re together.”—The Horn Book, starred review
★“Boasting a vibrant palette of rich, earthy colors, Sánchez’s digital artwork superbly captures the tenderness and serenity of each scene.” —Kirkus Reviews, starred review
★“In illustrations rendered digitally with handmade brushes and textures, Sánchez uses warm hues for bustling domestic scene, while text affectionately details the woman’s attributes (giving, funny, tenacious) and helps readers track the tamale count. It’s a triumphant work jam-packed with activity and pure familial love.” —Publishers Weekly, starred review
★“Both story and art shine in the festive Tamales for Christmas, making readers feel as though they’re part of the book’s big, loving family.” —Bookpage, starred review
★“Sonia Sánchez’s beautiful full-page illustrations perfectly match the message of the book. Echoing Briseño’s celebration of homemade food, her loose, energetic artwork mixes scribbly pencil, loads of pattern (Mexican tile, plaid work shirts, and floral tablecloths), and warm earth tones accented with bright pops of color.”—Youth Services Book Review starred review

Snow Is . . . 
by Laura Gehl
illus. by Sonia Sánchez | Paula Wiseman Books | 2024
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• A Society of Illustrators Original Art Show selection, 2024
• California Dept of Education (CDE) Recommended List 2025, Picturebook

Something on the Hill
by Jane Kohuth
illus. by Sonia Sánchez | Ann Schwartz Books | 2024
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TRANSLATION RIGHTS
French | CIRCONFLEXE
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★ “The rural settings are rendered with the softness of pastels, lots of texture, and beautiful earth tones…. text flows with equal charm as the critters interact; the scenes work perfectly with the illustrations to build suspense for the big reveal.” —School Library Journal, starred review

        
The Little Red Fort | Little Ruby’s Big Ideas
The Little Blue Bridge | Little Ruby’s Big Ideas
The Little Green Swing | Little Ruby’s Big Ideas
by Brenda Maier
illus. by Sonia Sánchez | Scholastic Press | 2018, 2021, 2023
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• a 2025 CBC Best STEM Books Reading List selection (Children’s Book Council & National Science Teachers Association) (The Little Green Swing)
• A CBC Children’s Favorite Award, Grades 2-K, 2025 (The Little Green Swing)
• a Redbud Read-Aloud Selection (Oklahoma), 2026 (The Little Green Swing)
• a 2022 Leaping Lizards Reading List selection (The Little Blue Bridge)
• a 2022 Bank Street College of Education Best  Book of the Year selection (The Little Blue Bridge)
• a 2022 Oklahoma Redbud Read-Aloud Masterlist selection (The Little Blue Bridge)
• a 2022 Oklahoma Book Award Finalist (The Little Blue Bridge)
• A Texas 2×2 Reading List Selection, Texas Library Association, 2019 (The Little Red Fort)
• A One Book for Colorado winner, 2020 (The Little Red Fort)
• An Alabama Camellia Children’s Choice Book Award Masterlist selection, 2019 (The Little Red Fort)
• A Chicago Public Library  best picture books of the year selection, 2018 (The Little Red Fort)
• 2020-2021 Sunshine State Young Readers Award Junior List (The Little Red Fort)
• 2019 Oklahoma Book Award Finalist (The Little Red Fort)
• 2019 Redbud Read-Aloud Masterlist (The Little Red Fort)
• 2019-2020 TN State Book Award Nominee (The Little Red Fort)
• 2022 NC Picture Book Award Nominee (The Little Red Fort)
• A Bank Street College Best Children’s Book of the Year (The Little Red Fort)
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★ “The Little Red Hen gets an appealing girl-power update . . . Young makers of all genders will be inspired.” —The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books starred review (The Little Red Fort)

One Sweet Song
by Jyoti Rajan Gopal
illus. by Sonia Sánchez | Candlewick| 2023
• a CLEL Bell Picture Book Award for Early Literacy Nominee, 2025
• a Bank Street The Best Children’s Books of the Year, 2025
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“A joyful celebration of music and community”—Kirkus 

 “Driving rhythms and clear rhymes by Rajan Gopal tug with a gentle beat while energetic illustrations from Sánchez render a sun-washed cityscape with texture “—Publisher’s Weekly

“While the buildup to the neighborhood symphony is thrilling, the decrescendo is just as gratifying, with Gopal’s concise rhyming stanzas counting back down from ten..the story itself is deeply resonant and speaks to the power of music to enhance the resilience, creativity, and unity of global communities “—BCCB

“Reminiscent of spontaneous musical happenings during the pandemic, this picture book could inspire young children to create their own. “—Book List

Love Made Me More
by Colleen Rowan Kosinski
illus. by Sonia Sánchez | Amazon Two Lions | 2022
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★ “Imaginative and tender, this story may inspire conversations or projects around special objects in readers’ families; recommended for all collections.”—School Library Journal

Dog Says, Cat Says
by Marilyn Singer
illus. by Sonia Sánchez | Dial Books | 2022
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★ “Using rhyming couplets, Singer humorously delves into the distinct differences between dogs and cats using a ‘he said, she said’ format . . . Perfect timing makes the poetic story easy and enjoyable to read aloud. Illustrations created with pencil and Photoshop present warm, bright colors and feature plentiful patterns ande ntertaining details throughout . . . A delightful day-in-the-life tale.”—Booklist, starred review

Bubbles . . . Up!
by Jacqueline Davies
illus. by Sonia Sanchez | Harper, Katherine Tegen Books | 2021
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• Selected by Barnes & Noble as a Bookseller’s Favorite
• A Society of Illustrators Original Art Show selection, 2021
• Shortlist for the 2021 New England Book Awards
• Booklist’s 2021 Editor’s Choice: Books for Youth list
• a Junior Library Guild Selection, 2021
• Activity Guide: download
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TRANSLATION RIGHTS
Japanese | Holp Shuppan Publishers
For translation rights please contact Rebecca Mancini at rightsmix(a)gmail.com
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★ “Davies’ cascading lines of verse text read aloud beautifully, rewarding listeners with wordplay [and leave] space for Sánchez’s effervescent illustrations to work their magic. The imaginative underwater scenes are particularly fine. This high-spirited picture book celebrates the joy in swimming. A mesmerizing book that conjures up a summer day.”
—Booklist starred review
★ “A swimming pool and a young swimmer create watery magic together. Davies’ lighthearted, lively poetry describes the singular joy of an afternoon at the neighborhood pool in this celebration of underwater swimming and splashing. Sánchez’s illustrations capture the way sunlight ripples through water and convey the blissful freedom of weightlessness, diving to the bottom of an imaginary ocean world and rocketing to the top amid bubbles. The exuberant sense of being purely in the moment is delightful.”
—Kirkus Reviews starred review
★ “Descriptive verse text with a scribble of clouds capture a bubble-filled watery world. It’s easy for swimmers to dream and imagine the pool filled with saltwater depths of treasure. VERDICT A recommended first purchase for all libraries, this title will interest readers who love the world underwater, or those who recognize the freedom and confidence borne of immersive play.”
—School Library Journal starred review

   
Evelyn Del Rey Is Moving Away
Evelyn Del Rey se muda (Spanish Edition)
by Meg Medina
illus. by Sonia Sanchez | Candlewick | 2020
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★ “Newbery Medalist Medina’s versatility is in evidence here, showing she’s as much in tune with the picture-book audience as she is with older readers. With lines that go at angles and splashes of bold colors and patterns, Sánchez’s artwork is as lively and full of movement as the two girls. Layered applications of color create texture, and the interiors of their apartments are cozily beckoning. A tender story of friendship and change. —Kirkus Reviews  starred review
★ “Digital artwork by Sánchez (Raisins and Almonds) radiates warmth and specificity as the girls interact with neighbors (“We sneak past grouchy Mr. Miller’s door and wave to Mr. Soo”) and revel in their last moments in homes whose windows face one another…Landing on the moment of their parting grief adds poignancy to their vibrant connection, and a final page turn offers further joy to this portrait of two girls of color and their strong, resilient friendship.”—Publisher’s Weekly starred review
★ “Daniela’s first-person, present-tense narration balances action and introspection, while in the illustrations the small, expressive figures of the two girls seem barely able to contain the deeply felt emotions, familiar to many children, that accompany loss and change. Sánchez’s illustrations layer colorful patterns and textures with filigreed lines and corrugated cardboard collage; bright yellow beech leaves litter the girls’ urban neighborhood, suggesting a season of transition. The final image of an older Daniela, seated on the floor of her room surrounded by letters from Evelyn, assures readers that, no matter what, you never forget your first “mejor amiga.”—Horn Book Magazine starred review
★ “Newbery Medalist Meg Medina writes in the earnest and playful voice of a child, using uncomplicated words and a tone that’s equal parts solemn and hopeful. Evelyn Del Rey Is Moving Away affirms feelings of sadness but provides assurance that true friendship—the kind built on sharing glittery stickers—endures.”—BookPage starred review
★ “Sanchez’ digital art has a colored pencil and mixed media flair, and she’s particularly gifted in conveying human dynamics through poses as the brown-skinned girls sprawl on the floor or dart through the building together hand in hand. While a final scene shows a grown Daniela smiling over a box of Evelyn memorabilia, that’s by no means papering over the sadness of the parting, with both girls obviously and understandably griefstricken. It’s that honesty that makes this book truly useful: while life goes on when friends separate, adults as well as kids benefit from recognition that friends are essential and that it’s valid to mourn the departure of your ‘numero uno best friend.'”—The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books starred review
“In Evelyn Del Rey Is Moving Away, Newbery medalist Meg Medina and award-winning illustrator Sonia Sánchez poignantly capture the beauty of those precious first friendships.”—Entertainment Weekly
“This story of the girls’ last day together is a heartbreaker, but seeing the two girls squeeze every last moment of joy from that day of grief is a reminder that the simple and powerful bond of friendship is worth the heartache of separation.”—NPR
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• the 2020 JUMPSTART READ FOR THE RECORD book of the year (2.24 million readers)
• A Society of Illustrators Original Art Show selection, 2020
• A Publisher’s Weekly Best Picture Book of the Year, 2020
• A Kirkus Reviews Best Picture Book of the Year, 2020
• A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year, 2020
° A Junior Library Guild selection (English and Spanish Editions)
• An Amazon.com Editor’s Pick
• 2021 Notable Children’s Book, ALSC
• 2021 Winner of the Margaret Wise Brown Prize in Children’s Literature, Hollins University
• 2021 Winner of the Crystal Kite Award for the Mid Atlantic, SCBWI
• the Charlotte Zolotow Award Winner, 2022
• a CCBC Choices selection, 2021
• an International Latino Book Award Third Place Winner, 2021
• A Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People, Social Interations and Relations Selection,  2021
• a California Dept of Education (CDE) Recommended List (California), 2023
• an El dia de los niños / El dia de los libros selection, 2021
• an Americas Award selection, 2021
• a Georgia Children’s Book Award – Picturebook, 2021-2022, for Grades K-4
• an  AISLE Read Aloud Indiana, Ageless selection, 2022 (Indiana)
• a Young Hoosier Book Award, 2022-2023, Picture Books for Grades K-2 (Indiana)
• a Chickadee Award, 2021-2022, Grades K-4 (Maine)
• a Washington Children’s Choice Picture Book Award, 2022, Grades K-3
• a Keystone to Reading Book Award, 2021-2022 — Primary List (Pennsylvania)
• a Pennsylvania Young Reader’s Choice Award, 2022-2023, Grades K-3
• a Land of Enchantment Roadrunner Reading List, 2022-2023 for Grades K-3 (New Mexico)
• a MISelf in Books, 2021, Lower Elementary (Michigan)
• a Black-Eyed Susan Book Award, 2021-2022, Picture Book Category, Grades K-3 (Maryland)

A Crazy-Much Love
by Joy Jordan-Lake
illus. by Sonia Sánchez | Amazon Two Lions | 2019
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“The standout illustrations burst with energy and are as saturated with color as the subject of the story is showered with love. A perfect gift for an adoptive family—and every family that has a deep and abiding love for their young children.” —Booklist
“An honest and encouraging story about a transracial adoption.” —Kirkus Reviews
“Although adoptive families will especially appreciate this book, all families will enjoy the message of how crazy-much parents love their children…” —New York Journal of Books
“Vibrant and bright images fill the pages of this genuinely charming story. This is a realistic portrayal of a modern foreign adoption from the adoptive parents’ point of view. Eye-catching and heartwarming, this is an excellent choice for anyone wishing to share the loving bond between parents and their children.” —School Library Journal

Raisins and Almonds
by Susan Tarcov
illus. by Sonia Sánchez | Kar Ben | 2019

My Quiet Ship
by Hallee Adelman
illus. by Sonia Sánchez | Albert Whitman | 2018

Sister Day!
by Lisa Mantchev
illus. by Sonia Sánchez | Paula Wiseman Books | 2017
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“Sweet, upbeat, and refreshing.” —Kirkus Reviews
• a 2018 Bank Street College Best Book of the Year, 2018.

Green Green: A Community Gardening Story
by Marie Lamba and Baldev Lamba
illus. by Sonia Sánchez | FSG | 2017
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• A Society of Illustrators Original Art Show 2017 selection
• CBC NCTE Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People, 2018

The Curious Cares of Bears
The Wonderful Habits of Rabbits
by Douglass Florian
illus. by Sonia Sánchez | little bee books | 2016, 2017
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★ School Library Journal starred review
• A Society of Illustrators Original Art Show 2017 selection

Here I Am
by Patti Kim
illus. by Sonia Sánchez | Capstone / Picture Window Books | 2013
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• A KIRKUS Best Book of the Year
• an EmpathyLab Read for Empathy selection, 2018
★ Starred review from Kirkus
*”Sánchez has captured a kaleidoscope of emotion and powerful sensations in a way children will grasp completely. It’s The Arrival for younger readers.”–Kirkus Starred Review
★ Starred review from Publishers Weekly
• Nominated for the prestigious Eisner Award in the category of Best Painter/Multimedia Artist (interior art). See the full list of nominated titles here.
• Feature on Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast  blog.
• a Junior Library Guild Selection (JLG) Selection.
• Review from the New York Times Book Review.
“Kim and Sánchez bring to their lively pages the heightened perceptions of the recently arrived. From the startling whoosh of pigeons’ wings to the click of coins deposited in a parking meter to the reflective shine of the polished airport floor, everything in this new world is worth noticing. ” —New York Times book review