Kim Hanzo is the author-illustrator of her debut six-book series World of Difference (Fox Pointe Publishing, 2021,) her Christmas picture book Gnome for the Holidays (Fox Pointe Publishing, 2021) and first educational picture book, Feed Me! (Fox Pointe Publishing, 2023)

She has also illustrated more than 15 picture books published by Fox Pointe Publishing. Book List

Artist Statement

“I’ve long believed that life is a story, with each journey, challenge and phase one chapter of the greater whole. For me, there’s no greater joy than using my talents to make personal connections through the power of imagery.

I’m one of those people who works hard, plays hard, feels deeply, appreciates small moments, has never met a critter I didn’t adore and I love, love, love being creative. I’m also one of those people who’s body is aging but whose spirit identifies as a 30-something. I’m not afraid to take risks or attempt to conquer the seemingly impossible. For example, my current career goal is to publish with at least one of the “big houses.” Did I mention that it’s been awhile since I’ve actually been a 30-something?

Full disclosure, my ultimate ‘I can die happy now’ achievement would be receiving a Caldecott. I am well aware that my goals are lofty and the odds are steep, but that’s never stopped me before. I’m a ‘go big, or go home’ girl and not afraid to grind until I reach my goal.” — Kim

PASSIONATE

Illustrator

Kim strives to celebrate small moments, generate smiles, and inspire laughter through her work. Among her favorite things to draw are animals, ocean scenes, natural settings and adventurous or whimsical themes.

Portfolio

INNOVATIVE

Graphic Designer

Kim’s never been satisfied with simple, straightforward or ordinary. Rather, she enjoys finding ways to combine seemingly unrelated concepts and establishing an identity or theme.

Print Design

ASPIRING

Picturebook Author

The pandemic provided Kim with the time to try picture book writing. Since then she’s published eight of her own books as an author-illustrator. She still working on her craft, but excited to be learning another form of storytelling.

Picturebooks

FUN-LOVING

Craftswoman

Kim's current body of work aims to visually delight while connecting with the human spirit.

Lellow Lolly Products

Background

Kim grew up in a small-town in New York’s Finger Lakes Region. Her rural upbringing instilled a love for nature, Native American heritage and animals/wildlife. Though Kim’s tight-knit family was small, their affinity for hands-on DIY projects, creative hobbies and craftsmanship fostered her natural inclination to draw and create.

Her passion for illustration blossomed at the Rochester Institute of Technology where she earned a BFA in Illustration and MFA in Painting, under the tutelage of Illustrator Bob Dorsey (American Greeting Card Company, Disney Press, Baseball Hall of Fame,) Alan D. Singer and Philip Bornarth. While attending RIT, Kim was afforded the privilege of meeting several visiting illustrators (Phillip Burke, Ellen Stohl Walsh, Sue Coe, ) but the most memorable moment was participating in a critique with award-winning Author & Illustrator Jerry Pinkeney — an experience that solidified her passion for illustrating children’s books.

Upon graduation, Kim opted for a regular paycheck rather than life as a freelance artist. Despite this choice her career path still hovered in the genre of children’s illustration and journalism/publishing. Along the way she added graphic design to her repertoire of skills, having worked as a staff Illustrator, Sr. Graphic Designer, Design Team Manager and Creative Director.

Ultimately Kim’s underlying desire to utilize the natural talents she’d been given became too strong to ignore. In 2016, Kim decided to take a calculated risk and left her corporate position to pursue her passion, children’s illustration.

Since then, Kim has worked tirelessly to develop a brand — Lellow Lolly — and collection of artwork that’s designed to inspire compassion and infuse the world with character and kindness.

She works harder than she ever did on staff and has experienced more than her fair share of ups and downs, highs and lows, experiences an on-again/off-again case of imposter syndrome, shed tears, has questioned her sanity and been on the brink of an anxiety attack on more than one occasion — but at the end of the day, she loves what she does, knows in her heart that she’s doing what she is meant to do and considers herself extremely fortunate to have family, friends and fans that also believe in her.