Estelí Meza

Estelí Meza is an author and illustrator originally from Mexico City, where she grew up surrounded by books. Estelí was awarded the ‘A la Orilla del Viento‘, Mexico’s most important picture book award and the XVIII Premio International del Libro Ilustrado Infantile y Juvenil de la FILIJ. Her  “My Aunt Blossoms” artwork was featured by Google for 2018 International Women’s Day.

Estelí is the author and illustrator of Finding Home/Buscando un hogar (Scholastic) and forthcoming Seeing Crocodiles Everwhere (Penguin/Rocky Pong Books). She illustrated Peace/Paz written by Miranda and Baptiste Paul (NorthSouth Books), which was named a School Library Journal Best Book of the Year.  She has also illustrated many books with Latin American publishers including the illustrated anthology, Cuentos y leyendas de América Latina (by Gloria Cecilia Díaz, Editorial Anaya), a collection of stories from 20 Latin American countries paired with Estelí’s stunning art. Other recent titles include, Adiós a los cuentos de hadas (by Elizabeth Cruz Madrid, Editions El Naranjo) Domingos en piyama (by Flor Aguilera, Planeta Mexico), and Lino Feline (Editorial 3 Abejas).  

At an early age, she was fascinated with the beautiful artwork found in the pages of books. Estelí studied Design and Visual Communications with a specialization in Illustration at UNAM. For the past 10 years, she has worked in book and magazine illustration in Mexico. Known for her vivid colors and textures, Estelí works digitally and in mixed media, using acrylic paints, graphite, and colored pencils. Most of all, Estelí loves to draw — she is always happiest with a notebook, pencil, chocolate pastry and cafecito.

Download Estelí Meza’s Illustrator Showcase

To see more of Estelí’s beautiful artwork visit her website estelimeza.com, or follow her on Twitter/Instagram @estelimeza.

Enjoy Estelí in the LatinxinKidlit Book Festival Panel “New Voices: Books as Bridges, Connecting with Latinx Culture and Identity”.