
Il Sung Na was born in Seoul, South Korea. In 2001, he moved to London to pursue a BFA in Illustration and Animation at Kingston University, where he discovered a passion for children’s books. Spending much of his spare time perusing book stores, Il Sung realized that he wanted to be like his new favorite authors and to tell his own stories. He began trying out illustration with various materials – which was a phase of great trial and error! Since those days of experimentation, however, Il Sung has published several books, some of which have gained acclaim with Kirkus starred reviews and recognition in prestigious book lists. Currently based in Baltimore, Il Sung spends time teaching illustration courses and working on new books. On his down time, Il Sung hits the flea markets to expand his collection of old and interesting items, which he then takes home to show off to his wife and small dog.
Click here for a peek inside Il Sung’s process
Awards / Honors
- 2024 Bank Street Best of the Year – Beautiful Noise
- 2024 JLG Gold Standard Selection – Beautiful Noise
- 2023 Boston Authors Club, Julia Ward Howe Award Notable Book – Beautiful Noise
- 2023 Starred Reviews (Booklist, Publishers Weekly, Horn Book) Beautiful Noise
- 2023 American Illustration 42
- 2022 Bologna Children’s Book Fair Winning Illustrator
- 2022 NCTE Charlotte Huck Award Recommended Book – Big Bear and Little Fish
- 2021 Society of Illustrators 64
- 2021 American Illustration 40
- 2020, Starred Review (School Library Journal) for That’s My Carrot
- 2018 Society of Illustrators, The Original Art – The Dreamer
- 2017 Society of Illustrators, The Original Art – Bird, Balloon, Bear
- 2017 NPR’s Best Books of the Year – Bird, Balloon, Bear
- 2017 CCBC Choices – The Opposite Zoo
- 2016 NPR’s Best Books of the Year – The Opposite Zoo
- 2016 Honorable Mention 3×3 International Illustration Annual
- 2016 Bank Street’s Best Children’s Books of the Year – Welcome Home, Bear
- 2016 Amazon’s Best Books of March Baby-Age 2 – The Opposite Zoo
- 2015 Amazon’s Best Books of the Year – Welcome Home, Bear
- 2015 Bank Street Best Children’s Books of the Year
- World Illustration Awards – Shortlisted for New Talent – Welcome Home, Bear
- 2014 The Boston Globe’s Best Childrens Books – A Book of Babies
- 2012 Kirkus Best Children’s Books – Hide & Seek
- 2012 Nottingham Children’s Book Awards Finalist – Hide & Seek
- 2011 Kirkus Best Children’s Books – A Book of Winter
- 2008 British Design and Production Awards Finalist
- The Big Picture Best New Illustrator Award Finalist, AOI Children’s Trade – A Book of Sleep