Overview
I am an illustrator currently working as a Senior Designer for Houghton Mifflin Harcourt in New York. I specialize in books of all types, especially Children's. I have designed covers and interiors for picture books, novels, easy readers, craft books, educational non-fiction and more!Please note that I charge industry prices for my design work, and in return your project will look just as professional as the books on the shelves at your favorite book store! Before requesting a quote, please be aware that cover design starts at USD$1000 and interior pricing depends on page count and book type. Thanks!For inquiries about my illustration services, please see my website: blkdiamond.art
Services
Fiction
Classics
Comics & Graphic Novels
Cultural & Ethnic
Fantasy
Historical Fiction
LGBTQ Fiction
Literary Fiction
Middle Grade
Picture Books
Poetry
Science Fiction
Young Adult
Non-Fiction
Cooking, Food, Wine, & Spirits
DIY & Crafts
History
Nature
Languages
English
Work experience
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books for Young Readers
Mar, 2016 —
Present
I work as a Senior Designer at HMH's Books for Young Readers imprint, working on children's picture books and non-fiction and science books.
Quarto Publishing Group USA
Oct, 2014 —
Present
I work freelance on How-To art books for the Walter Foster Publishing imprint, creating interiors for children and adult titles.
Sterling Publishing
Jan, 2013 —
Mar, 2016
(about 3 years)
I was the sole designer for Sterling's Children's imprint. I worked on interior and cover designs for 15-25 titles a season, sometimes also assisting the art department on Adult titles. I worked closely for the duration of each project with the Art Director, Production and Editorial teams as well as the illustrator and author of the books. I also color corrected proofs, made reprint corrections and frequently retouched art and photos for covers and interiors.
Portfolio
100% of Last Week Tonight's proceeds will be donated to The Trevor Project and AIDS United. HBO's Emmy-winning Last Week Tonight with John Oliver presents a children's picture book about a Very Special boy bunny who falls in love with another boy bunny.Meet Ma... read more
Learning electricity is easy when you make clay creations that glow! use our special conductive and insulating clay to make a sculpture, add LEDs, attach a battery pack, and watch your clay circuit light up. With more than 15 projects to choose from, including... read more
Mandala for the Inspired Artist is sure to spark endless hours of DIY and craft mandala projects and imagination!Learn how to create your own beautiful mandalas using a variety of tools and mediums. One part inspiration, one part how-to, Mandala for the Inspir... read more
Pen & Ink combines practical instruction with inspirational artwork to awaken a new generation of pen-and-ink enthusiasts.Drawing with pen and ink has been a celebrated art form for centuries. In addition to ballpoint pen, today's pen-and-ink artists use a var... read more
Steampunk & Cosplay Fashion Design & Illustration is designed to appeal to both fashion enthusiasts and steampunk cosplay fans alike. Whether your dream is to become a fashion designer, or you simply want to combine your artistic skills with a love for steampu... read more
Perfect for young artists-in-training, Learn to Draw Forest Animals offers a comprehensive drawing experience than includes step-by-step lessons, as well as full-color photographs, fun facts, trivia, quizzes and much more. Children will enjoy the 64 pages of d... read more
What is a landfill? What makes some garbage dangerous? Why it is good to recycle—and can we recycle water? Kids see the garbage truck all the time—but this entertaining and educational book will tell them what it does and where it goes, along with other facts ... read more
What exactly is a volcano? Can it really destroy an entire city? And how hot is lava? Kids will learn all about this force of nature, from where to find the ring of fire to whether volcanoes exist on other planets.
Who fired the first shots in the American Civil War? Where were the fiercest battles fought? How did Lincoln free millions of slaves with one document? Acclaimed author Martin Sandler answers all these and other “must-know” questions about the war that pitted ... read more
Who was Susan B. Anthony—what did she stand for, why was she arrested, and how did she fight for women's right to vote? And did she ever see her dream of woman's suffrage come true? From the first women's rights convention at Seneca Falls, New York, to the ena... read more
Why did Columbus want to reach the New World—and was he the first to cross the Atlantic Ocean? What was life like on one of his ships? What did America look like before Columbus arrived? How did Columbus treat the native people? The engaging story of Columbus'... read more
Why do I have a belly button? What happens to the food I eat? Why am I different from everyone else on Earth? All children want to understand how their body works, and this lively illustrated book explains it all, from what DNA is to how their heart pumps blood.
Who wrote the U.S. Constitution? How long did it take to write? What is the Bill of Rights? The Constitution forms the basis for our government's organization—and our liberties. Children will also learn how the three branches of government operate, how amendme... read more
Westward ho, with the American pioneers! Why did pioneer families risk it all to move west? Who settled the frontier towns of the Wild West? Did pioneer children go to school? Kids will love learning about the dangerous journey, the Gold Rush, the building of ... read more
What are the five senses? How do they help keep us safe? Why are two ears better than one? Why do some people need glasses? Why does food taste worse when we have a cold? And WHY can't we tickle ourselves? Find out in this SENSE-sational book!
What was the Underground Railroad—and who traveled on it? Who was Harriet Tubman and what did she do? This gripping book tells kids all about the perilous journey to escape slavery and finally become free: how long it could take, where the fugitives hid, who h... read more
Is each snowflake unique? What comes first: thunder or lightning? What causes the seasons? Charming illustrations, clever charts, and fun text help kids learn whatever they want to know about wild weather. No matter their question, the fascinating answers are ... read more
What kinds of animals live in the sea? What causes tides and waves? And exactly how deep is the ocean, anyway? From the water cycle and ocean zones to fun facts about how some lost rubber duckies ended up helping ocean scientists, this Good Question! book teac... read more
What is a seed—and will all of them eventually become plants? What happens to plants in winter? Why do leaves come in so many sizes and shapes? Do insects help plants, or harm them? A virtual garden of information grows here for young readers to enjoy.
Where is planet Earth—and how big is it? Does the ground move under our feet? What would we find if we dug down all the way to the Earth's core? And why is the sky blue? Children will discover the answers to these and other must-know questions about our amazin... read more
From an astronaut in space to Voyager, yellow dwarf, and zenith, this ABC board book opens up the entire universe to children! Created in tandem with the American Museum of Natural History, it takes kids on a photographic journey through comets, flares, and pl... read more
Meet 14 cool sharks (and one manta ray) and see why it's important to BE NICE TO SHARKS! Though they’re often portrayed as vicious man-eaters, sharks actually kill fewer than 10 people per year. Yet those myths cause real harm: many species are being hunted to... read more
Quietly it comes—the dark and chill of winter. And in the snow-covered fields and forests, the great northern plains, vast stretches of frozen tundra, and icy polar regions, wild animals have to survive day after day, night after night, out in the cold. How do... read more
What could be better than a Jim Arnosky gatefold book? How about THREE Jim Arnosky gatefold books all together in one hardcover—with every spectacular gatefold intact? From slithering snakes to soaring birds of prey, and many other fascinating animals along th... read more
Lions and tigers and bears . . . and WOLVES—oh, my! Acclaimed nature writer and illustrator Jim Arnosky introduces awe-inspiring wild predators: carnivores that survive by tooth and claw. Follow the huge paw prints of big cats like the African lion and the spe... read more
FOR LITTLE TRAVELERSJe m’appelle, meenya zavoot, me llamo, MY NAME IS MONKEY! Monkey’s taking a trip around the world, and everywhere she goes she introduces herself in the native language of the country she’s visiting. Kids can join her and learn to say “my n... read more
FOR LITTLE TRAVELERS I love you: three of the very best words in the world! And thanks to this adorable board book, preschoolers will learn how to say them in seven different languages. Travel with Iguana across the globe as he tells family and friends, “I lov... read more
Por favor, s'il vous plaît, ching: this adorable board book teaches preschoolers how to say “please” in seven languages! Join Penguin as she enjoys pastries in France, explores the Hermitage in Russia, sees Mount Fuji in Japan and the Pyramids in Egypt, buys f... read more
Spasibo, arigato, shukran, merci! Tiger's taking a trip—and everywhere she goes, from the market in Moscow to a boat on Egypt's Nile River, she says "thank you" to the friendly people she meets. And, as they follow her round the world, children will learn to h... read more
How many ways can Gator say “good-bye?” Find out, as he travels from China, Japan, and India, to Egypt, Russia, and France, and finally to Argentina and back home again to San Francisco. It's hard to leave friends, but learning how to bid someone farewell in s... read more
Bonjour, konnichiwa, hola, HELLO! Friendly Hippo takes a trip around the world to seven different countries, and everywhere he goes, he cheerily greets people in their native language. Kids will have fun trying out these simple foreign words, from “namaste” (I... read more
I love you long distance, across all those miles. Sometimes parents divorce. Sometimes mom or dad is sent overseas to fight. And sometimes cherished members of the family—grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins—live too far away to see every day. This sweet rhymi... read more
Spring, summer, autumn, and winter: bath time is all year round! In this follow-up to Time for a Hug—now available in a sturdy board edition—little bunny goes through the year splashing in puddles, rolling in grass and dirt, dripping a banana split, doing art ... read more
Zack Delacruz is back—and this time he has a crush! Zack really wants to meet Abhi, the new girl at school. But things get off to a rough start when he accidentally knocks her to the ground during a game of dodgeball. And whenever he tries to make amends, she ... read more
Zack Delacruz is unnoticed at his middle school—and that’s just the way he likes it. But a school assembly, a typhoon of spit, and an uncharacteristic moment of bravery are all it takes to change everything. Suddenly Zack is in charge of the class fundraiser. ... read more
Why have one state worth of fun when you can have SIX! Grace and her cousin Camden enjoy a New England holiday, from big-city Boston to tiny coastal and mountain towns in Maine and Vermont. From lighthouse hopping to moose spotting, it’s an unforgettable trip!
Christmas is almost here—and for Abby, it will be a Pennsylvania holiday with her cousin Josh. Together they'll sample Philly cheese steaks and whoopee pies; visit Independence Hall, the birthplace of the United States; hear the sound of rocks that ring like b... read more
Have a merry Oregon Christmas, from the rain forest to the desert to the mountains to the beach. Cousins Liz and Danny are seeing it all: they're camping near the Columbia River like Lewis and Clark, collecting "thunder eggs," and snowboarding near a volcano. ... read more
Have a Buckeye State Christmas with cousins Molly and Michael. Go snowshoeing and hiking near the Appalachians, enjoy a family sleepover at Cleveland's Great Lakes Science Center, eat sweet snickerdoodles, and have fun at EnterTRAINment Junction, “the world's ... read more
Come join cousins Noah and Darcy for Christmas in Indiana, where everything's on the move—especially race cars on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway! Stand under the world's largest Christmas tree, sail over Lake Michigan in a hot-air balloon, and see amazing ice... read more
O Canada, in Christmastime! Come with Juliette and her "crazy Canuck cousin" as they take a holiday trip across the country, all the way from Prince Edward Island and Vieux-Québec to Winnipeg and Vancouver. Along the way Juliette gets really cool Canadian gift... read more
“Teeny is ‘toadally’ terrific. . . . A triumphant reaffirmation of the truth that large hearts can beat in small chests, told in playful verse that gallops along with nary a stumble.” —Kirkus Reviews When a giant hand scoops up her mama and puts her in a pail,... read more
"This clever twist on Cyrano de Bergerac will win over the hearts of middle schoolers, particularly those feeling shy or awkward themselves, as well as reluctant readers.” —Booklist What happens when the girl who knows everything . . . suddenly doesn’t? Middle... read more
“…Lyall’s debut is a winner.” —Publishers Weekly“What’s with the get-up? Is that the company uniform or something?” “This? All P.I.s wear a trench coat.” “Dude, that’s a brown bathrobe.” I shrugged and straightened out my sleeves. “First rule of private invest... read more
Once upon a time, a king owned twelve enchanting unicorns that he locked up with golden chains. But every morning, he'd find the beautiful creatures peacefully asleep in their corral—with their chains shattered. Puzzled, he promised a reward to anyone who coul... read more
“[an] exuberant picture-book ode to the fun of fashion.” —Shelf Awareness This little Mary has STYLE! In this fun take on Mother Goose, fashion-forward Mary helps some of childhood's most beloved characters go glam. From the kid who lives in a shoe (and dons s... read more
What’s this book about? That depends on who you ask. Our humble narrator thinks he’s got a great story for you, but he barely begins before he’s interrupted . . . by a scallywag pirate with a thrilling legend of mermaids and sea monsters! Soon an entire cast o... read more
Pack up the pooches and load the van.We need to leave by eight!There’s so much to bring.Do we have everything?Come on, we can’t be late! The classic song gets a fresh new twist! The fun begins when Grandma and Grandpa send invitations to their far-flung, moder... read more
Hey, Coach! Guess what? I’m on your team. GOAL! This sprightly rhyming picture book captures all the fun and energy of very young children having a blast on the soccer field. Over the course of their first season, the players progress from unsure newcomers to ... read more
Telling the future is a gift: you either have it, or you don’t. And Mira, daughter of the famous fortune teller Madame Mirabella, just doesn't. When Madame gazes into the crystal ball, magic swirls. When Mira looks . . . nothing. Then one day Mira gets a pinwh... read more
Vampires and werewolves and zombies—oh my! It's a monster invasion, and the stinky-smelling creatures are destroying Wally's peaceful little town. They scare the kids, knock over the lampposts, and make a mess of everything. And no one can stop them—until, fed... read more
“A tale of ‘to-go’ food that is good for you! . . . Kearney's illustrations kick butter, with full command of the story's arc.. . . Teachers and students alike will delight in this food fight. Who will be the winner? Readers will be hungry to find out.” —Kirku... read more
When you least expect it, something special will get your attention.Your alien will be back.He will invite you over for a play date. Come along on an out-of-this-world experience! In this heartwarming sequel to the critically acclaimed Your Alien, it’s the hum... read more
One day, you'll be looking out your window when something wonderful comes your way… and you will want to keep him. When a little boy meets a stranded alien child, the two instantly strike up a fabulous friendship. They go to school, explore the neighborhood, a... read more
"Monster play. Monster 'YAY!' Monster Park—come on, this way!" Monster's having a fun time at the park—swinging and sliding, swirling and twirling, and riding the whirly-whirl. When it's time to go, though, Monster says "NO!" But all's okay because Monster can... read more
Monster's invited—and monster's delighted! Come and join the monster bash. There's spinning and pinning, high-fiving and jiving, and munching, crunching, and buggy-food lunching. But when it all ends, Monster must leave his fun-loving friends. There's crying a... read more
You can call her Ally-SAURUS! When Ally roars off to her first day at school, she hopes she'll meet lots of other dinosaur-mad kids in class. Instead, she's the only one chomping her food with fierce dino teeth and drawing dinosaurs on her nameplate. Even wors... read more
In the summer of 2015, the U.S. women’s national soccer team won the World Cup behind an epic performance by Carli Lloyd. Carli, a midfielder, scored three goals in the first sixteen minutes—the greatest goal-scoring effort in the history of World Cup finals. ... read more
Chris P. Bacon was born with malformed legs, but with the help of a wheelchair made of construction toys, he’s become a hero to people with similar challenges. Nancy Furstinger profiles Chris P. Bacon and many other animals in Unstoppable—all of whom are makin... read more
In this addition to the critically-acclaimed Scientist in the Field series, scientist Robin Tanamachi and her team are trying save countless lives across America’s heartland, chasing one tornado at a time.
Follow the scientists working in the Pacific Northwest to learn about the orca whale population there, as they race to save these remarkable mammals from extinction. Perfect for fans of The Great White Shark Scientist and readers looking for excellent nonficti... read more
North Carolina's black bears were once a threatened species, but now their numbers are rising in and around Asheville. But what happens when conservation efforts for a species are so successful that there’s a boom in the population? Can humans and bears live c... read more
The acclaimed author of Sniffer Dogs details the successful efforts of scientists to bring threatened animals back from the brink of extinction, perfect for animal lovers and reluctant nonfiction readers. With full-color photography.How could capturing the las... read more
We think of evolution as a tree with branches that make clear, linear sense—with one animal and its traits clearly derived from one that came before it genetically. But what about animals who share key traits but aren’t on the same family tree? This is called ... read more
The thrilling final episode in the zesty series for fans of kids' cooking competitions. It's the season finale and only two contestants remain. Who will take the cake and earn the title of Next Best Junior Chef? Two talented junior chefs have sliced and diced ... read more
The competition heats up in episode two of this zesty series for fans of kids' cooking competitions! With this episode's theme of family and tradition, from a diner challenge to a quinceañera to the farmer's market, the junior chefs will have to sauté their wa... read more
A zesty series for fans of MasterChef Jr. and Kids Cook-off! In episode one, four talented tween chefs step into the spotlight to prove that they have what it takes to become the Next Best Junior Chef. Who will have the grits to get through week one of the com... read more
From the author of Mustache Baby, a picture book about a tiny fairy who has all the typical experiences a child might on the first day of school, but with silly fairy-like twists. In this humorous and reassuring picture book from the author of Mustache Baby, a... read more
Snow is coming, and it's time to get ready! The squirrel gathers nuts, the geese soar south, and the snowshoe hare puts on its new white coat. But what should the fox do? Each animal advises the fox that its own plan is best, but the fox thinks otherwise—yet i... read more
For fans of Smile and Real Friends comes a debut graphic novel about friendship and finding where you "click" in middle school.Olive wants to get in on the act . . .. . . Any act! Olive “clicks” with everyone in the fifth grade—until one day she doesn’t. When ... read more
The inspiring memoir for young readers about a Latina rocket scientist whose early life was transformed by joining the Girl Scouts and who currently serves as CEO of the Girl Scouts of the USA.A meningitis outbreak in their underprivileged neighborhood left Sy... read more
Under the sea, a crab follows its heart and its calling, bringing everyone together in the wake of a disaster. Feed your craving for a hilarious, heart-warming story with Crab Cake, perfect for budding environmentalists, kids learning to cope with mishaps, and... read more
When a clumsy armadillo named Lola knocks over a glass pitcher, she sets off a silly chain of events, encountering chaos wherever she goes. But accidents happen—just ask the stoat snarled in spaghetti, the airborne sheep, and the bull who has broken a whole sh... read more
