Joy Nicolas is a Filipina-American author-illustrator and certified child life specialist with an MA in Early Childhood Education. Joy also received a Certification in Children’s Book Illustration from UCSD Extension. Illustrations that Joy digitally paints are inspired by the children that she supports emotionally in the hospital setting, her young son, and her inner 5-year-old self that dreamt of becoming a figure-skating princess, longing to be represented in picture books.

Joy utilizes her knowledge in child development, education, and social-emotional learning to advocate for every child’s story to be told in a beautiful, yet truthful way. Joy resides in the Bay Area, CA with her husband and son. Aside from working at a children’s hospital and creating picture books, Joy enjoys an iced coffee with a croissant, arranging flowers, and listening to a captivating podcast or audiobook.

Joy is represented by Daniele Hunter at McIntosh & Otis.