Photo: Silvia Baptiste © 2013
Juana Medina was born and raised in Bogotá, Colombia. She is the author and illustrator of multiple children’s books, including the chapter book series Juana & Lucas, winner of the prestigious Pura Belpré Award and two International Latino Book Awards. The New York Times says of Juana & Lucas "Medina’s beautiful, vivid prose conjures the Colombian setting with tactile language... the story itself is a giant hug."
Juana’s passion for storytelling has led her to work on exciting projects with numerous clients, among them the Library of Congress, Apple Creative Studios, and PBS; as well as publishers such as Candlewick Press, Chronicle Books, Simon & Schuster, and Penguin Random House.
A graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design, Juana has taught at RISD, George Washington University, and the Corcoran College of Art + Design. She has been the recipient of honors given by the National Cartoonists Society, the American Library Association, and the Society of Professional Journalists, among others.
Juana believes in the power of stories. As someone who never found herself represented in books as a child, Juana enjoys visiting schools and libraries around the country, encouraging children to read and find power in their own personal stories.
Juana currently lives in Northern Virginia with her family.