Jacqueline Alcántara
Jacqueline Alcántara is a freelance illustrator and educator spending her days drawing, writing, walking her dogs and planning her next adventures. She is fueled by dance music, carbs and coffee. Jacqueline studied Secondary Art Education and taught high school art and photography before transitioning to illustration. She is also an adjuct professor of illustration at Columbia College Chicago.
Her experience working with children has led her to focusing on children’s literature and specifically in pursuit of projects featuring a diverse main character. She won the 2016 “We Need Diverse Books Campaign” Mentorship Award and is excited to be working to promote inclusiveness and diversity in children’s literature and the illustration field.
Her first book "The Field" (written by Baptiste Paul, published by North South Books ) received 3 starred reviews and won Jacqueline the Sonia Lynn Sadler Award in 2018. Her second book, "Freedom Soup" (written by Tami Charles, published by Candlewick Press) received 4 starred reviews and was a Junior Library Guild, Indiebound and Amazon selection in 2019. “Jump at the Sun” ( written by Newbery honoree Alicia D. Williams, published by Cailtyn Dlouhy / Antheneum Books ) and “Your Mama” ( written by NoNieqa Ramos, published by Kwame Alexander’s imprint Versify Books / HMH) both released in 2021 and received a total of 7 starred reviews and “Climb On” (written by Baptiste Paul, published by NorthSouth Books) received 2 starred reviews. .
In addition to the children's publishing industry, Jacqueline has worked with other clients including Obama Foundation, NPR, The Chicago Reader, The Chicago Foundation for Women, The Southern Poverty Law Center, Elle Decor, and University of Chicago creating illustrations for a range of editorial and promotional projects. She has a never ending interest in learning new skills and taking on new challenges.
Feel free to email her at jacqueline@lilsketchy.com.
PROJECTS
PUBLISHING
2026, Wifredo’s Jungle, Picture Book, Illustrations
2025, Tíos and Primos, Picture Book, Words and Illustrations
2024, Jam, Too?, Picture Book, Illustrations
2023, Ordinary Days, Picture Book, Illustrations
2022, Climb On!, Picture Book, Illustrations
2021, Jump At The Sun, Picture Book, Illustrations
2021, Your Mama, Picture Book, Illustrations
2021, American Anthem, Page Illustration
2021, Solimar, Middle Grade Novel, Cover Illustration
2020, House to Home, Adult Book, Cover and Chapter Architecture Illustrations
2019, Freedom Soup, Picture Book Illustrations
2018, The Field, Picture Book Illustrations
EDITORIAL and DESIGN
2024, Chicago Reader, Illustrated Cover
2023, YWCA, Award Illustration
2023, ACLU, Feature Illustration
2022, Language Arts Magazine, Cover Illustration
2022, Bomhomme, Menu Illustrations
2022, Casa Beatnik, Beer Can Product Illustration
2021, Chicago Foundation for Women, Marketing Illustration
2021, School Library Journal, Cover Illustration
2020, Obama Foundation, Illustration
2020, School Library Journal, Cover Illustration
2020, Square One Foundation, Marketing Illustrations
2019, Lee and Low, Editorial Illustration
2019, NPR, Editorial Illustration
2019, SCBWI, Marketing Illustrations
2019, University of Chicago, Book Illustrations
2019, Chicago Reader, Editorial Illustration
2018, Camp David, Architectural Illustrations
2018, Elle Decor, Architecture Illustrations
2018, Obama Foundation, Marketing Illustrations
2018, Soho House, Architectural Illustration
2018, Southern Poverty Law Center, Editorial Illustrations
2017, Wyatt Space, Architectural Illustrations
2017, Chicago Foundation for Women, Editorial Illustration
PRESENTATIONS / EDUCATIONAL
2020, Current, Columbia College of Chicago, Adjuct Professor for Illustration
2024, Aldine School District, Virtual Bilingual Illustrator Presentation for ESL High School Students
2024, School Visit and Literacy Night Bilingual Presentation
2024, School Visit and Literacy Night Presentation
2024, SCBWI
