A LITTLE ABOUT ME
Biography
I am originally from Costa Rica, but I live in the US since 2019. I am so passionate about the writing and illustration of children’s picture books.
Every day I immerse myself as a teacher in the world of early childhood education, and then create one or more of my illustrations. Studying the ways that kids play and learn inspires me to write fun and educational stories accompanied by illustrations that engage readers. My ideas for manuscripts I draft and the pictures I draw come from children always having so much magic, ideas, and imagination, and I am a very lucky person to be immersed in this daily! It sharpens my ability to create more pictures and visuals to aid in both the educational process and their entertainment. Also, they love drawing and imagining with me!
I have two daughters, Claudia and Mia, and they are always my inspiration in many ways. They both have loved books, music and art since they were babies! They are so creative - always painting, making stories, or playing music. They fill my life with color and they are my dream come true! I always wanted to be a mom.
I live with my husband, my daughters and Molly (my Golden Retriever) in New Hampshire. The rest of my family is in Costa Rica, so I try to travel very often to spend time together with my parents, brothers, and my adorable nephew.
Besides passionately illustrating, I am constantly learning about different cultures and people. I love reading, traveling, exploring castles and museums, photography, and being with my puppy and my family. And of course, I love my wonderful library of children’s picture books.
ABOUT MY PROCESS
My Work and Education
When I graduated from High School, I started studying Architecture. I loved how much I had to draw, but after two years, I decided to switch to a program that allowed me to work with children which became my passion. So, I got a Degree in Special Education and English as a Second Language. I always tried to combine my work with kids along with my passion for art, so when I decided to open my own school in Costa Rica, I was able to make art a very important part of their learning process. I taught at public and private schools before founding and running my own bilingual Spanish-English early childhood school for 7 years (My Clubhouse C.R. International Christian School), and I published my first book in 2016, PAPERCUTS: a children's book focused on bilingual education through fine motor skills, art and sensory work.
When I arrived to the US, I continued working in early childhood education, but I also wanted to continue learning about illustration and Digital Drawing. So, I went to College again to pursue a degree in Digital Media Communications and Fine Arts.
My First Language is Spanish, so one of my goals is for all my books to be bilingual to encourage communities in the US to engage their children in learning foreign languages at the preschool stage and even younger. I also want to publish about diversity, inclusion, and immigration, since those are things that have been part of my life. I am currently making the illustrations for DIVERSITY LOVE, a beautiful heartfelt book about tolerance, love and teamwork!
I could never forget my early career when I worked at the Children’s Hospital in Costa Rica, Hospital Nacional de Niños, where I conducted developmental evaluations for special needs children and worked directly with hospitalized children and their families. I also worked at the Rehabilitation School where I worked with children with cerebral palsy and other learning and communication disabilities.
At the beginning of 2019, I studied UK and European early education in London. I then moved to the United States in September, 2019, where I have been both working in Preschool Education as well as writing and illustrating my own books - two of which I will publish this year in 2024.
HAVE QUESTIONS?
My publications
One preschool book published, "Papercuts"
Three picture books in progress.
Contact me by email: karina@illustratekari.com