Bia is a Brazilian-born illustrator and author based in East London. She was the recipient of the prestigious The Queen Elizabeth Trust scholarship to study a Masters in Children’s Book Illustration at the Cambridge School of Art, graduating as Highly Commended at The Macmillan Prize for Illustration (UK).
Her debut picture book, The Dream Book was published in the UK by Templar in 2023. It was very well received being shortlisted for the Klaus Flugge Prize (UK), selected as The Times’ Best Children’s Books of the Summer and also selected at Society of Illustrators (NY), Golden Pinwheel Young Illustrators Awards (China) among others.
Bia is currently working on her second picture book to be published in 2025. Meanwhile Bia illustrated her first non-fiction book Mama Mammals published in 2023 by Cicada Books. And has been busy illustrating an early readers series: Doddle & Dot to be published by Oxford University Press in 2025.
Bia previously worked on many exciting projects as a book designer for Flying Eye/Nobrow before taking the leap and starting to write her own stories. Her interest for design brings a keen eye for detail, composition, hand lettering and typography to her books. Her vibrant tropical influences are reflected in the bold use of colours and textures. She finds inspiration in little details of everyday life, turning them into pieces set in a fun atmosphere, using humour and quirky characters in a visually playful approach.
Bia’s books have already been translated and sold to countries in Europe and Asia.
Templar Books, Quarto Publishing, Cicada Books, Oxford University Press, Cannes Lions Festival, Giphy, Editora FTD, Editora Melhoramentos, Editora MOL, Editora Abril, Revistas Trip, Claudia & Superinteresante.
Klaus Flugge Prize / Shortlist 2024
Information Book Award • The School Library Association / Longlist 2024
Society of Illustrators • 65th Annual / Selected 2023
3×3 / Honorable Mention 2023
Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles • 61th Annual / Selected 2023
The Unpublished Picturebook Showcase 4 – dPICTUS / Selected 2022
The Macmillan Prize for Illustration / Highly Commended 2022
Golden Pinwheel Young Illustrators / Finalist 2021
The Unpublished Picturebook Showcase 3 – dPICTUS / Selected 2021
The Queen Elizabeth Scholarship / Awarded 2020
Jabuti Awards / Shortlist 2015
World Illustration Awards / Shortlist 2014
Cannes Young Lions UK Represent on Print 2012
Fortnum & Mason and QEST Exhibition:
The Art of the Exceptional – A Jubilee Celebration of Makers • 2022
Candid Arts Trust MA CSACBI • 2022
SVA Illustration Summer Residency Show – Gramercy Gallery, NYC • 2019
Blisters ‘Way back When’ with Print Club London • 2019
ELCAF / London Illustration Fair / DIY Market / Feira Plana / Feira Miolos / Feira Avessa / Hifest
Pictoplasma Pop-Tales • 2017
Pictoplasma Academy All Stars • 2016
This is England Exhibition • 2014
Design : Research LCC Show • 2012
News: The Times, Tombow Talks, Creators Project, People of Print, Folha Ilustrada, Clube de Criação, Follow the Colours, I Hate Flash
Pictoplasma Academy: Creative Review
UAL & London: Made in Arts London
The Dream Book: The Times’ Best Children’s Books of the Summer, Klaus Flugge Prize, Bookseller
My London for You: Buzzfeed, Creative Boom, Design week
Por Uma Vida Mais Doce: UOL, Veja, IG, Estadão
Cannes Map: Graffika, DiarioDesign, DesignBeats, Clube de Criacao
For updates on coming events, products and occasional freebies:
All work © Bia Melo made with ♥