Salina Yoon

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Salina Yoon
Salina yoon 5200574.jpg
Yoon reading Penguin and Pinecone at the 2017 Gaithersburg Book Festival
BornYoon
1972
Busan, South Korea
OccupationAuthor • Illustrator
Alma mater California State University, Northridge
ArtCenter College of Design [1] [2]
SpouseChris Polentz
Children2
Website
www.salinayoon.com

Salina Yoon (born 1972) is an American author, illustrator, and designer of over 160 children's books including board books, novelty formats, and character-driven picture books. She is best known for her Penguin and Duck, Duck, Porcupine! series and received a 2018 Geisel Honor Book award for My Kite is Stuck! And Other Stories. [3] [4]

Contents

Early life and education

Yoon was born in Busan, South Korea, and immigrated to the United States with her family at the age of four. [2] She attended the Los Angeles County High School for the Arts and studied graphic design at California State University, Northridge. She later earned a degree in illustration from ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena, California. [2] [1]

Career

Yoon began her publishing career with novelty books and board books, where she combined her design background with early childhood literacy principles. She is credited with creating over 160 published titles, many of which feature tactile or interactive elements. [5]

She gained widespread recognition for her Penguin series, beginning with Penguin and Pinecone (2012), followed by other titles such as Penguin on Vacation and Penguin and Penelope. [6] Her Duck, Duck, Porcupine! series earned the 2018 Geisel Honor. [4] In 2019, she collaborated with organizing consultant Marie Kondo on the picture book Kiki & Jax: The Life-Changing Magic of Friendship.

Her books have sold more than 4.5 million copies worldwide and have been translated into multiple languages. [6]

Themes and creative process

Yoon’s stories often explore emotional themes such as connection, identity, and belonging. Her book Found was inspired by her own childhood experiences and reflects themes of loss and attachment. [7]

She describes her drafting process as puzzle-like and highly visual, using storyboards and multiple iterations to refine text and illustration. [8] [9]

Awards and honors

Personal life

Yoon lives in San Diego, California, with her husband, graphic designer Chris Polentz, and their two sons. [10] She has spoken at schools and libraries as part of her outreach work. [5]

Selected bibliography

Series

Other works

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "Meet an Immigrant Artist Who Persists | Kid Reporters' Notebook | Scholastic Inc". kpcnotebook.scholastic.com. Retrieved 2025-02-22.
  2. 1 2 3 "Salina Yoon". Penguin Random House. Retrieved 2025-07-07.
  3. ↑ "Theodor Seuss Geisel Award Winners". Campbell University Library Guides. Retrieved 2025-07-07.
  4. 1 2 3 "Geisel Award Winners and Honor Books (2006–present)" (PDF). American Library Association. Retrieved 2025-07-07.
  5. 1 2 3 4 "An Interview with Author and Illustrator Salina Yoon". SCBWI Wisconsin Chapter. 2018-08-24. Retrieved 2025-07-07.
  6. 1 2 3 "Interview: Salina Yoon on Schedules, Mess, and Ice Cream". The Booking Biz. 2019-11-01. Retrieved 2025-07-07.
  7. ↑ "Three Questions with Salina Yoon". PJ Library. May 2016. Retrieved 2025-07-07.
  8. ↑ "Interview with Salina Yoon (Book Giveaway + Free Partial Edit Giveaway)". DearEditor.com. 2016-05-31. Retrieved 2025-07-07.
  9. ↑ "An Interview with Salina Yoon". Johnson County Public Library. Retrieved 2025-07-07.
  10. ↑ "Interview with Salina Yoon". Henry Herz. 2013-11-29. Retrieved 2025-07-07.


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