More About Monica Arnaldo (She/Her)

**Languages: English, French, and Spanish**

Monica Arnaldo is an award-winning author and illustrator of books for kids. She was born in Ontario, Canada, three years after her parents emigrated from Mexico. As a kid, when she wasn't busy drawing or reading, she worked (unofficially) as Chief Email Translator for her father.

Monica pursued her passion for visual storytelling at Sheridan College, where she studied illustration and fell in love with picture books all over again. When she's illustrating, she combines watercolour, pencil crayon, and ink to create images full of character. When she's writing, she combines old halloween candy and lukewarm tea, though she wouldn't recommend it.

Her recent titles include Mr. S, which was a finalist for the Governor General's Award for Literature, and Are You A Cheeseburger, which won the Blue Spruce Award. She now lives in Quebec with her husband and their children, who think her books are "fine".

You can find her online at:

monica-arnaldo.com

Twitter | Instagram

Check out Monica's Illustration Portfolio

Monica’s strengths are…

Finding the perfect balance between words and art, making the most out of every single page-turn, subverting reader expectations, and all the little things in a manuscript that add up to a big laugh for readers.

She is great listener, loves to help others talk through plot holes or writer's block, find the core of their story and make sure every ending feels earned.

Monica has years of experience in the publishing industry and is passionate about helping others learn to navigate it too.

What Monica is looking for…

Monica is looking for a mentee who is passionate about both the art and writing of picture books, and who actively wants to break into the children’s publishing industry. They should have an artistic style they’re comfortable working in and story ideas they’re excited about, but be eager to learn and work on improving their craft over the course of the mentorship. She is especially looking for creators who love humour and can’t get enough of funny, unconventional picture books. A strong eye for design and ear for wordplay is a huge plus.

A Note from Monica:

“I'm interested in voice and point of view-- if you have a funny, unconventional, absurd, or otherwise unique take on something, I want to hear from you!”

Monica’s Picture Books

MR. S, written and illustrated by Monica Arnaldo

ARE YOU A CHEESEBURGER? written and illustrated by Monica Arnaldo

TIME FOR BED’S STORY, written and illustrated by Monica Arnaldo

THE LAST SLICE: A THREE KINGS DAY TREAT, written by Melissa Seron Richardson and illustrated by Monica Arnaldo

Monica’s Upcoming Picture Books

THE MUSEUM OF VERY BAD SMELLS, written and illustrated by Monica Arnaldo

If Monica created a Visual Wish List, it would be made up of…

*Unless otherwise stated, the below serves as a wish list only. Each mentor is excited about the opportunity to find a manuscript they can’t stop thinking about.

Humour like…