Juana Martinez-Neal

Juana Martinez-Neal is the author-illustrator of Alma and How She Got Her Name (Candlewick) which was named a Caldecott Honor, Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Honor, Kid’s Indie Next List “Top 10” Book, and a Best Book of the Year by School Library Journal, Booklist, New York Public Library, and many more. Juana’s second author-illustrator book, Zonia’s Rain Forest was named an ALA Top 10 Sustainability-Themed Children’s Book. Juana paints with acrylics, colored pencils and graphite on handmade textured paper to create gorgeous textures and depth giving each of her books a distinct style. 

Juana also illustrates picture books, among them New York Times bestseller Tomatoes for Neela,  La Princesa and the Pea which was awarded the Pura Belpré Illustration Medal, and Sibert Medal Winners Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story and Alberto Salas Plays Paka Paka con La Papa. New in 2026: Mariposa’s Journey written by Belen Medina and Off the Wall co-created with Molly Idle.

Juana was born in Lima, the capital of Peru, and now lives with her family in Connecticut. Visit her on the web http://juanamartinezneal.com/, or follow her @juanamartinez

• Two-time Robert F. Sibert Medalist for Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story and Alberto Salas Plays Paka Paka con La Papa
• Caldecott Honor, Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Honor and Best Book of the Year School Library Journal, Booklist and Kids Indie Next “Top 10” for Alma and How She Got Her Name
• Pura Belpré Illustration Medal for La Princesa and the Pea
• New York Times bestseller for Tomatoes for Neela
• IBBY Honor List by the International Board on Books for Young People
• SCBWI Portfolio Showcase Grand Prize Winner