Joelle Avelino

Joelle Avelino is a British Congolese and Angolan illustrator. She obtained a BA (Hons) in Illustration with Marketing from the University of Hertfordshire. Joelle is particularly motivated by the need for people from all races and backgrounds to see themselves in books and art.

Her most recent children’s book, written by best selling author Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, ‘Mama’s Sleeping Scarf’, will be published in September 2023. It is a tender story that celebrates the simple joys of family life. 

She has also worked on several other titles including Hey You!, written by Dapo Adeola, which was a 2022 British Book Awards winner and is an empowering celebration of growing up black. Joelle also illustrated the 25th anniversary edition of Baroness Floella Benjamin’s classic memoir Coming to England. Joelle’s animation project with the Malala Fund was featured as one of Design Week’s favourite International Women’s Day projects.