Shanda (rhymes with panda) McCloskey is an author and illustrator of children’s picture books and graphic novels.
Shanda’s books explore what lights us up individually, whether that be robots, punk music, or something else! Then her characters follow that light in a messy, worthy journey.
Shanda lives with her husband, daughters, and dog in Ball Ground, Georgia. Her award-winning STEM-friendly picture books (DOLL-E 1.0 and T-BONE THE DRONE) have taken her to wonderful people and places!
Shanda illustrated her first non-fiction book, SMASH, CRASH, TOPPLE, ROLL!: The Inventive Rube Goldberg–A Life in Comics, Contraptions, and Six Simple Machines, which comes out on May 6, 2025 from Chronicle and is available now for preorder.
Shanda is currently working on her first young graphic novel series, PUNK ROCK (Abrams Fanfare 2026), with her husband and cowriter, Ben.
Download Shanda’s photo: Color or Black & White
Fun Facts about Shanda:
- Shanda knew she wanted to be an artist since 3rd grade when she won an honorable mention in an art contest at school. (See the art below!)
- As a kid, Shanda wasn’t a big reader, but she enjoyed picture books because they told stories partly with words and partly with pictures.
- In 3rd grade, Shanda started The Dazzlin’ Club with her cousin, Audrey. The club had its own self-inking stamp, so it was pretty official. They wanted to adopt a whale, but never had enough money. However, they did produce a newsletter for the 12 or so members, thus the need for the stamp.
- In 4th grade, Shanda made personalized rings from pipe cleaners, sequins, hot glue, and colorful uncooked alphabet pasta (which spelled out each recipient’s first name) and sold them to her classmates for 25 cents each! It was glorious until she sold one to her friend, Allison, whose mom was the teacher. Shanda got in trouble for running a business at school and had to shut it down.
- Shanda studied art in Atlanta and New York City, and started off as an art teacher for high schoolers. Later, she honed in on being a book illustrator. Becoming an author too was a bonus surprise!
- 1994 newspaper ARTICLE about my art when I was twelve years old
- A cool INTERVIEW about my experience as an author/illustrator
- Another cool INTERVIEW from a young, aspiring writer
- Illustrator process and career INTERVIEW
- Shanda drew these mermaids in 3rd grade, and won an honorable mention for it in a contest:
