Illustrator Profile
Raissa Figueroa
15 Books
Raissa Figueroa is a children's book illustrator whose expressive artwork brings warmth and movement to every page. Her visual storytelling shines in picture books like Oona, Esi the Brave, and Together We Are Sunshine. She specializes in illustrating joyful, inclusive stories centered around imagination, family, and emotional connection. Her lush colors and dynamic character designs create inviting worlds that children love to explore.
Some daddies love exploring outside. Some love fixing things. Some love learning, dreaming, and sharing what they know. But the best part is what they love doing with their children.
What My Daddy Loves looks at fathers through a child’s eyes, showing many kinds of dads and many ways they spend time with the children they love. The moments are gentle, playful, and full of everyday warmth, from adventures to quiet closeness.
Created by Raissa Figueroa, this tender picture book is a celebration of father-child bonds. It is a sweet choice for Father’s Day, family reading, or any time you want a story that honors love, care, and the joy of being together.
6-8 Years
32 Pages
Bear steps high. Moose galumphs low. Snake slips and slides. Every animal has a different way to move, and that is exactly what makes the dance so much fun.
In this bright, rhythmic picture book, forest friends join an ever-growing celebration where no one has to dance the same way as anyone else. Some leap, some wiggle, some swoop, and each one finds a groove that fits.
The More the Merrier is a joyful read-aloud for children who like movement, music, animals, and playful rhymes. It celebrates individuality in a simple, energetic way, reminding you that joining in does not mean copying everyone else. Sometimes the best dance is the one only you can do.
6-8 Years
40 Pages
Oona the mermaid has a huge heart and is friends with absolutely everyone in the wide blue ocean. She loves loud, energetic fun and making a big splash wherever she goes. So when she meets a quiet shark, she is determined to become his best friend, too. She tries all her favorite, boisterous ways to get his attention, but her attempts fail miserably. Oona soon realizes that the shark experiences the world a little differently. The bright, noisy games that are so much fun for her can feel very overwhelming and uncomfortable for him. To build a true friendship, Oona will have to learn how to listen, observe, and find a brand new way to play. Dive into a beautiful, gentle story about understanding others and discovering that friendship comes in many different volumes.
6-8 Years
32 Pages
Tasha knows exactly what wash day means: water everywhere, tired arms, stinging eyes, and a whole lot of waiting. It is not her favorite part of the week.
But this time, wash day brings more than tangles and towels. Her big sister comforts her, Mama fills the room with music, and Granny shares memories from long ago. Bit by bit, the routine becomes a warm family gathering, full of stories, care, and love passed from one generation to the next.
Wash Day Love is a joyful picture book about Black hair, self-care, and family pride. It speaks to children who know that some routines can be hard, while also showing how patience, tenderness, and tradition can turn an ordinary day into something special.
6-8 Years
40 Pages
A family photo can hold more than a memory. For one young boy, it opens the door to a sweeping journey of imagination, heritage, and possibility.
As he looks at the people who came before him, his world expands into bold adventures and dreamlike places. He tries new things, reaches toward big ideas, and feels the quiet strength of family cheering him forward. The story moves with the feeling of a loving promise: you are connected, you are capable, and your future is still unfolding.
You Will Do Great Things is a lyrical picture book for readers who enjoy tender, inspiring stories. With magical images and a strong family heart, it celebrates courage, ancestry, imagination, and the many paths a child may grow into.
6-8 Years
23 Pages
Young Toni has stories in her pockets and big ideas in her head. She is sure that words can do powerful things, maybe even spin themselves into gold.
Inspired by the life and work of Toni Morrison, this tall tale follows a young storyteller as she sets out with her siblings on a search for treasure. Along the way, Toni looks for magic, shapes her adventure with words, and discovers that the way a story is told can matter as much as what happens inside it.
Small-Girl Toni and the Quest for Gold is an imaginative picture book with a biographical note, blending playful adventure with a tribute to one of America’s great writers. It is a rich choice for readers drawn to creativity, language, history, and the power of storytelling.
6-8 Years
32 Pages
Esi is sure she is brave enough for anything. Monsters? Ghosts? Scary masks? They should be afraid of her.
At Ghana’s Kakamotobi Festival, the music booms, the crowd presses close, and strange masked figures whirl everywhere. Esi still wants to be fearless, but when she suddenly cannot find her parents, the festival feels much bigger than she expected.
This vivid picture book follows one determined girl as she discovers that bravery does not mean never feeling scared. With lively read-aloud energy, a strong sense of place, and illustrations full of festival detail, Esi the Brave invites you into a story about courage, family, and finding your way through an overwhelming new experience.
6-8 Years
32 Pages
Deep down in the bright blue sea, Oona is known as the ocean's littlest mischief-maker. This adventurous mermaid and her best friend, a sea otter named Otto, absolutely love hunting for sunken treasure. Of course, their grand searches usually lead them straight into messy, tricky, and sometimes shark-filled trouble. But a little bit of danger has never stopped this brave duo before. When they spot the grandest, most sparkly treasure they have ever seen resting at the bottom of a deep, dark oceanic rift, Oona suddenly hesitates. She is not entirely sure she is brave enough to dive into those unknown, scary waters. Join Oona and Otto on a gorgeous underwater journey as they use their creativity, courage, and teamwork to make a massive splash and claim their prize.
6-8 Years
32 Pages
She may be imaginary to everyone else, but to one child, she is real: a best friend full of comfort, laughter, and mischief.
Then one morning, the friend is gone. The quiet space she leaves behind feels confusing and tender. Was the friendship only pretend? Can something imagined still matter? Real to Me gently explores the sadness of growing apart, the ache of missing someone, and the surprise of finding connection again in a new way.
With expressive illustrations and a thoughtful emotional center, this picture book speaks to children who have loved an imaginary friend, lost a friendship, or felt uncertain about change. It is a tender story about imagination, memory, and the real feelings that come with first friendships.
6-8 Years
40 Pages
Haala wants to keep up with her big sister, Sanaa, on their outdoor adventures. But little sister Munira is always close behind, stepping into the sun, interrupting the quiet, and making everything feel harder.
As the three sisters move through the natural world, Haala notices every small frustration. She wants the wind, the water, and the moment with Sanaa to belong to her. But sisterhood has its own rhythm, and the girls begin to learn how much brighter their day can be when they make room for one another.
Together We Are Sunshine is a warm picture book about siblings, teamwork, and outdoor discovery. Its gentle tone makes it a strong fit for readers who enjoy family stories, nature-filled illustrations, and books about learning to share attention and love.
6-8 Years
40 Pages
Oona the mermaid is always ready for a brand new aquatic adventure. While exploring the chilly ocean waters with her loyal sea otter friend, she comes across a baby beluga whale who has wandered far from home. The little whale is lost and needs help finding his way back to his family in the freezing ice. Without hesitation, Oona and her friend team up to guide the beluga safely through the vast, unpredictable sea. Their challenging journey takes them all the way to the sparkling, frozen wonders of the Arctic. Along the way, they must navigate strange waters and rely on their strong teamwork to succeed. Dive into a stunning, underwater rescue mission that celebrates bravery, kindness, and the incredible lengths we go to for our friends.
6-8 Years
Nana’s love feels as natural as sunlight, moonlight, waves, and stars. In her voice, the world becomes a way to explain something simple and enormous: family love is always there.
Like So is a lyrical picture book that compares the bond between a child and family to the beauty of nature. Its gentle language and glowing images create a comforting read-aloud, especially for moments when children need reassurance, closeness, or a reminder that they are deeply loved.
Soft, poetic, and affirming, this story is well suited for readers who enjoy quiet family books. It honors the connection between a grandmother and child while showing love as something steady, wondrous, and bigger than any difficult moment.
6-8 Years
40 Pages
Princess Susan’s kingdom has a dragon problem. Her parents have a sparkle problem. While the king and queen keep buying fancy things for her, Susan is busy noticing what really matters: the kingdom needs help.
With a bold scullery maid and a loyal dog by her side, Susan decides to solve the problem herself. The dragon may be frightening, but convincing grown-ups to listen might be even harder. Smart, funny, and determined, she uses her own ideas instead of waiting for someone else to save the day.
Princess Unlimited is a lively picture book for readers who like dragons, humor, and princess stories with a twist. It celebrates problem solving, confidence, and speaking up when people underestimate you.
6-8 Years
32 Pages
One girl lives in the city. One girl lives by the beach. Their days look different, but the same sky, dreams, and need for belonging connect them.
Told in lyrical language, We Are One follows two children and their families as they come together at a lantern festival. The story moves gently between near and far, newcomer and friend, showing how people can feel connected even when their lives do not match in every way.
With two artists bringing the girls’ worlds to life, this picture book offers a warm celebration of friendship, community, family, and the natural world. It is especially appealing for readers who enjoy poetic stories about kindness, belonging, and the many ways people can become part of one another’s lives.
6-8 Years
40 Pages
Before the sun rises, young Dovey and her grandmother step into the quiet darkness to pick berries. The world is still, the work is careful, and every moment together feels important.
Based on a childhood memory from civil rights attorney and activist Dovey Johnson Roundtree, We Wait for the Sun is a gentle picture-book biography about a girl learning strength, self-worth, and justice from her grandmother. The story focuses on one early morning, but that morning carries lessons that will stay with Dovey as she grows.
Warm and reflective, this nonfiction picture book is a strong choice for readers interested in family history, inspiring women, and the small moments that shape a life. It honors love between generations while introducing a remarkable figure in American history.
6-8 Years
34 Pages
