Morgan Gaynin, Inc

18/02/2025

This beautiful illustration was created by Dani Pendergast for Apple TV's Essential Stories collection: Civil Rights and Unity. The piece was inspired by the iconic photographs of protestors clasping hands during the civil rights movement and symbolizes strength and resilience.

For Black History Month, we're celebrating the talent and contributions of Black illustrators shaping the world of art and storytelling. Their work provides a window into the past and also inspires future generations to create, share, and empower through visual expression. Learn about the Black illustrators we represent in our latest blog post: Honoring Heritage, Empowering Future.

👉 https://morgangaynin.com/honoring-heritage-empowering-future/

12/02/2025

Among Keisha Okafor's projects that we’ve highlighted is “A Song So Black, So Proud”, a picture book based on the song, “Say It Loud (I’m Black and I’m Proud)” – an anthem of the civil rights movement, penned by James Brown in 1968 just months after the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The book, written by R.J. Owens and published by Sleeping Bear Press, encourages readers to sing along to the lyrics and lift their own voices in celebration of Black pride and identity. Keisha’s vibrant art and lettering conveys the jovial essence of the book.

Learn more:
https://morgangaynin.com/project/a-song-so-black-so-proud/

11/02/2025

We're so excited to introduce Keisha Okafor, the latest addition to the Morgan Gaynin roster!

Keisha is a Nigerian-American artist and designer whose work exudes pure joy and celebration. Inspired by her rich cultural background, the nostalgia of the 90s, music, and fashion, her style radiates with energy and captures the beauty in all people. Keisha's work has proven to connect well with a range of ages in children's publishing, from board books up to YA.

Explore Keisha's portfolio here:
https://morgangaynin.com/artists/keisha-okafor/

04/02/2025

This post was going to be about welcoming illustrator Rebecca Lee Kunz to Morgan Gaynin – but we now have an immense honor to address!

Congratulations to Kunz for winning the 2025 Randolph Caldecott Medal for her debut illustrated picture book, Chooch Helped. Kunz is the first citizen of the Cherokee nation to win this prestigious award, and it is well deserved for the beautifully detailed and authentic artwork that she created for this touching story, written by Andrea L. Rogers and published by Levine Querido.

See more here:
https://morgangaynin.com/project/chooch-helped/

"Author Rogers and illustrator Kunz, both members of the Cherokee Nation, portray Sissy’s older sisterhood with tenderness; illuminating backmatter explains the links between the story and the creators’ own heritage. The touching narrative and its universal lesson are brought to life through Kunz’s powerful images, which make stunning use of collage to illustrate the children’s rich familial and cultural webs. Readers’ hearts will be warmed by Sissy and Chooch’s relationship and by the moving representation of Cherokee traditions." – Kirkus Starred Review

29/01/2025

Happy Lunar New Year!
Victo Ngai 倪傳婧 teamed up with Wells Fargo to celebrate the Year of the Wood Snake with an illustration for their 2025 calendar. Wells Fargo has a rich tradition of celebrating the Lunar New Year by creating beautiful calendars since 1912.

Victo drew inspiration from the symbolic traits of the Snake:
“A once barren tree blossoms into vibrant life, while the snake’s body forms an infinity symbol, representing resilience, longevity, and limitless possibilities. Influenced by the art of cloisonné, the colors and lines reflect the Snake’s elegance and embody wishes for prosperity in the year ahead.”

The wood element brings a sense of grounding, adaptability, and transformation.

https://morgangaynin.com/project/wells-fargo-lunar-new-year-calendar/ #

23/01/2025

Tonya Engel illustrated Beacon of Hope: The Life of Barack Obama – a picture book biography of a tireless organizer, a brilliant orator, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, and the first Black president of the United States.

Written by Doreen Rappaport, this addition to the highly acclaimed Big Words series celebrates one of the most inspiring American leaders of our time.

Published by Little, Brown books for Young Readers

See more: https://morgangaynin.com/project/beacon-of-hope-the-life-of-barack-obama/

13/01/2025

Serving up smart concepts as always, Pete Ryan has two winners in the Society Of Illustrators 67 annual editorial category, including a silver medal! Congratulations Pete ⭐

1) for Reader's Digest Canada about people embracing their stutter. AD: Danielle Sayer
2) for the New Yorker critics section, "The Angst and Sorrow of Jewish Currents. AD: Supriya Kalidas

See more of Pete's work here:
https://morgangaynin.com/artists/pete-ryan/

07/01/2025

"Just uses those four / black feet to silently go about / his work, which doesn't seem / like work at all but play."

Happy publication day to 🦊 AND, TOO, THE FOX, 🦊 illustrated by Gaby D'Alessandro, written by U.S. Poet Laureate Ada Limón, and published by Lerner Books.

"Children will be captivated by Fox as they join him on a joyful romp through his world."
—starred, School Library Journal

See more of the beautiful work in Gaby's second illustrated picture book:
https://morgangaynin.com/project/and-too-the-fox-kirkus-starred-review/

18/12/2024

"'How do you identify?' It’s a question Black doctors don’t always get to answer for themselves."

Ismani Sun was commissioned by VML Health for a project with RxUCKUS, an organization that's raising awareness of the Black maternal health crisis. As part of their initiative, Ismani's conceptual landscape illustration is a backdrop in the RxUCKUS virtual magazine; an immersive, guided, interactive experience.

Chapter 2, "In A World of Scrutiny", contains poems and stories about Black OB/GYN residents within the larger world of medicine: how they’re seen and how they choose to represent themselves.

Learn more here: https://morgangaynin.com/project/rxuckus-black-maternal-health-equity/

and at rxuckus.org.

11/12/2024

Summarize the 2024 version of the classic Disney Channel original movie Smart House:
OUR APOLOGIES! HOUSE-AUTO-FOLD IS IN BETA.

A 6-word sci-fi story from illustrated by . Each month, WIRED releases a prompt, readers submit their stories, and Yiran illustrates the winner.

Many thanks .vanliew.draws

10/12/2024

A Story About Entangled Particles:
HAUNTED DREAMS FOLLOWED OUR FIRST EMBRACE.

A 6-word sci-fi story from illustrated by . Each month, WIRED releases a prompt, readers submit their stories, and Yiran illustrates the winner.

See more here: https://morgangaynin.com/.../six-word-stories-for-wired.../

Many thanks .vanliew.draws

04/12/2024

“And what do you work towards if you've got a diagnosis that says you're not going to get any better? Well, over time, you switch what your hopes are.”

Award-winning podcast The Nocturnists has released season 7 of “Stories From the World of Medicine” with compelling illustrations by Ben Konkol for each episode. The series aims to humanize healthcare with engaging conversations and personal stories from healthcare professionals and caregivers.

In episode 4, “Fly Away”, Mother, writer, and attorney Ann Schrooten reflects on a pivotal moment from her fifteen year journey caring for her son Jack, who lived with congenital muscular dystrophy.

Thank you Emily Silverman And Ashley Pettit for this collaboration! Check out the whole series here.

Ben Konkol was commissioned to create 5 episode illustrations for season 7 of the Nocturnists Podcast: Stories from the World of Medicine.

26/11/2024

Till Lukat illustrated Wine Spectator's "Great Values Around the Clock", a report covering a round-up of well-priced wines for every occasion, from lunch with friends to business to family dinner. May be worth consulting before this Thanksgiving! Cheers 🍷

https://morgangaynin.com/project/great-values-around-the-clock-wine-spectator/

21/11/2024

The American Federation of Teachers (AFT) commissioned Carlo Giambarresi to create three illustrations for a story about the devastating impact that hospital mergers have on patients and healthcare workers. The article ran in AFT’s biannual journal on health and community well-being.

Carlo skillfully captures complex moods and subjects in his conceptual work. See more here:
https://morgangaynin.com/artists/carlo-giambarresi/

18/11/2024

8 needy, finicky house plants for people who want a challenge – can you guess what they are?
Illustrated by Gaby D'Alessandro for the Washington Post 🪴

https://morgangaynin.com/artists/gaby-dalessandro/

13/11/2024

Happy World Kindness Day 💚 Today we're sharing Kristine Lombardi's "My Wish for the World", which is full of amazing ideas for how to spread more kindness. This hopeful picture book follows a mother and son at bedtime as they dream of a better world by wishing for kindness, community, and helpfulness.

"A lovely book; these messages will make children aware that simple acts can make a big difference for everyone." —School Library Journal

See more: https://morgangaynin.com/project/my-wish-for-the-world/

06/11/2024

Cover reveal: Pine Cone Regrown illustrated by The Brave Union!

Written by Elisa Boxer and publishing from Sleeping Bear Press in March, this poetic story introduces readers to one of the serotinous tree species that can only grow anew when the seeds face fire.
One pine cone hangs waiting for 40 years at the top of a tall lodgepole pine, until a small spark flickers into flame. It watches as the flames whip into a forest fire, sending animals fleeing. It watches as the flames grow higher and hotter--until the pine cone cracks open. As the fire cools and dies, the pine cone finally drops its seeds into the soil. And from that destructive start, comes new life once more.

Discovering the many wonders of nature is a common theme in many of The Brave Union's picture book projects. Check out their portfolio for more: https://morgangaynin.com/artists/the-brave-union/ #

31/10/2024

Happy Halloween 💀 🌸 From Josée Bisaillon!

https://morgangaynin.com/artists/josee-bisaillon/