Il Sung Na

Il Sung Na was born in Seoul, South Korea. In 2001, he moved to London to pursue a BFA in Illustration and Animation at Kingston University, where he discovered a passion for children’s books. Spending much of his spare time perusing book stores, Il Sung realized that he wanted to be like his new favorite authors and to tell his own stories. He began trying out illustration with various materials – which was a phase of great trial and error! Since those days of experimentation, however, Il Sung has published several books, some of which have gained acclaim with Kirkus starred reviews and recognition in prestigious book lists. He went on to complete his MFA Illustration Practice at MICA (Maryland Institute College of Art) in 2015.  Currently based in Kansas City, Il Sung spends time teaching illustration courses at KCAI (Kansas City Art Institute) and working on new books. On his down time, Il Sung hits the flea markets to expand his collection of old and interesting items, which he then takes home to show off to his wife and small dog.

Lately, he has enjoyed working with ceramics.

Follow him on Instagram: @ilsungna
 

Praise for Il Sung Na

"Na brings fresh energy to the familiar. With a coloring style that feels as if someone took a firecracker to a box of crayons, Na makes turtle shells as dynamic as a peacock's plumage." - The New York Times (The Opposite Zoo)

"Il Sung Na's illustrative art is so joyous, so jubilantly colorful, it feels celebratory and poetic even when the story is simple and spare." 
- The Boston Globe (A Book of Babies)

"(A) grand read-aloud." - Kirkus Reviews, Starred (Welcome Home, Bear)

"It's the rare picture book that, upon arrival, feels as though it has been around for years already; Na's belong to this group." 
- Publishers Weekly, Starred (A Book of Sleep)

"Vibrant (and) whimsical." - School Library Journal, Starred (Snow Rabbit, Spring Rabbit)