Ashleigh Corrin

Ashleigh Corrin is an award-winning children’s book illustrator and graphic designer. Her debut illustrated book, Layla’s Happiness, written by Mariahdessa Ekere Tallie, received the 2020 Ezra Jack Keats Illustrator Award, as well as the Writer Honor. She also illustrated Mary Can by superstar Mary J. Blige (HarperCollins), Joy Takes Root written by Gwendolyn Wallace (Kokila/Penguin), and coming in August 2024 The River Is My Sea written by Rio Cortez (S&S/Denene Millner Book). 

Ashleigh’s style is defined by textured images with organic and playful lines. She uses her iPad Pro, paper collage, drawing pens, and painting in various mediums. Her inspiration comes from family, nature, and life events both mundane and altering. In addition to illustrating books, Ashleigh is a skilled and experienced graphic designer and enjoys creating editorial illustration, playful lettering, fun motifs, and organic line work.

Layla’s Happiness (Enchanted Lion) was her debut children’s book, and it received starred reviews from Kirkus and School Library Journal, as well as a glowing New York Times review. Other projects include Family Reunion by Chad Richardson (Barefoot Books) and a series of board books by award-winning author, Carole Boston Weatherford, Grandma and Me, Mom and Me, and Me and the Family Tree (Sourcebooks).  In 2020, she collaborated with medical professionals and the Emory Global Health Institute at Emory University on We’re Going to Be O.K., an ebook for children about COVID-19. 

Ashleigh’s appreciation for philanthropic work and acts of service shaped her dream of finding ways to create with purpose and intention. A mission trip to the West Indies at the age of sixteen brought clarity to her intentions, and she set forward on a path to use art to uplift, teach, inspire, and invigorate the minds of youth and the young at heart. Ashleigh lives with her family in Virginia. Photo credit: Danielle Real Photography.

Download Ashleigh Corrin’s Illustrator Showcase

Find her at www.ashleighcorrin.com or on instagram at ashleigh_corrin. 

Praise for Layla’s Happiness:

 “Affirmations of black childhood abound, and whimsical wishes float like dandelion fluff. Equally as imaginative as the lyrical text, Corrin’s boldly colored, textured illustrations beautifully capture the buoyant spirit of Layla, a brown girl exuding confidence, comfortable in her own skin–indoors and out. Well-illustrated poetry of the best kind that will leave sunshine in its wake.” —Kirkus Reviews, STARRED REVIEW

“With Corrin’s layered, whimsical illustrations, each page is a snapshot of a simple moment that adds up to an abundant life, urban yet very much in tune with nature. The effect is both laid back and meaningful—an invitation to answer for yourself.” —The New York Times