Roberta is an illustrator and storyteller, currently based in Germany. Diverse characters, colours and textures as well as a hand-made feel are central to her work, and she likes to incorporate empowering messages to inspire and uplift young audiences.
She finds inspiration for her work by observing people on buses and trains, colour combinations in nature and in contemporary topics and challenges that are important to young people and families.
When she’s not drawing, she enjoys exploring forests, reading, teatime and board game afternoons.
As an illustrator and storyteller, my goal is to inspire creativity and a curiosity to explore our world, as well as to spark joy and a good laugh. Through engaging storytelling and inclusive representations, I want to contribute that every child can see themselves represented in picture books, giving a voice to diverse childhoods and lived experiences. Diversity and inclusive representations are close to my heart and are fundamental values in my art. I hope to create, as Rudine Bishop (1990) aptly phrased it, “mirrors, windows, and sliding glass doors”.
Since graduating in September 2022, Roberta has joined the Scholastic Art Mentorship Programme 2023 (US).
Selected illustration clients include:
- UNICEF Voices of Youth
- Society for Media-Pedagogy and Media Culture (Gesellschaft für Medienpädagogik und Kommunikationskultur)
- University of Hildesheim
- Museum of Education in Hildesheim and more
Roberta has also authored for the anthology Book Rebels (2021), published by Hanser (Germany).
Q. What is one thing you love about picture books?
A. One thing I love about picture books is how they combine text and images to create endless creative possibilities for storytelling. This interplay also allows for a wide range of themes and ideas that can inspire both young readers and adults.
Q. Who are your favourite illustrators?
A. Here are a few of my favourite contemporary illustrators: Oge Mora, Christian Robinsonm Emma Chichester Clark, Benji Davies, Emily Hughes, Ebony Glenn and Júlia Sardà
Q. What are some words that describe the kind of stories you like the most?
A. Empowering, hopeful, adventurous, inspiring, intriguing and authentic
Q. What story themes and projects you would love to work on?
A. My wishlist currently includes, but is not limited to:
- Childhood, friendship, family
- Animals, rainforest and ocean settings, or other nature settings
- Humorous narratives
- Mindfulness
- Middle Grade Books and Book Covers
- Greeting Cards
- Thrilling adventures
- Anything with elephants : )
Say hello at roberta-illustration@hotmail.com
Join me on instagram @robertaillustration
roberta-illustration.com 