Picture taken by Lorenz Angelo

About Isabella Kung

Isabella is the author and illustrator of NUNU AND THE SEA (Knopf Books for Young Readers), which has gathered 3 starred reviews and listed in Bank Street College of Education’s Best Children’s Books of the Year 2025 edition. She is most well known for her debut NO FUZZBALL! (Scholastic, 2020) – a picture book about a fuzzy feline despot who rules the house with an iron paw; and the sequel NO SNOWBALL! (Scholastic, 2022) introduces an adorable interloper to the Queendom! She also illustrated over 120 cats for the board books 123 CATS and ABC CATS by Lesléa Newman (Candlewick, 2021)!

Growing up in Hong Kong, Isabella would often make up her own stories and draw all over her textbooks – anything to make her dull concrete world more colorful! She is delighted she still does both! Her illustrations have received accolades from institutions such as the Society of Illustrators, Spectrum Fantasy Art, 3x3, Creative Quarterly, and SCBWI; and her original artwork has been exhibited at galleries in California, Spain, and Singapore.

Outside the world of publishing, Isabella has taught Children's Books, illustration, and watercolor classes at the Academy of Art University, California College of Arts, Storyteller Academy, and Etchr Lab. As well as workshops at various events or conferences.

Isabella currently resides in San Francisco with her husband and her real-life Fuzzball! She enjoys curling up with a good book, dancing, trying ALL the foods, snorkeling, scuba diving, and traveling! She is represented by Jennifer Laughran at Andrea Brown Literary Agency.

Select Clients:

Knopf Books for Young Readers, Kokila Books, Penguin Workshop, Orchard Books (Scholastic), Candlewick Press, Heinemann, Committee for Children, P&H Publishing, Ladybug Magazine, & 826 Valencia.

Awards

  • The Bulletin, Bulletin Blue Ribbon Award, 2025 

  • Society of Illustrators NY, The Original Art Show, Finalist, 2025

  • Winner of International Cat Writers Association’s 2023 MUSE Medallion in Children’s/Young Adult Books, 2023

  • Awarded International Cat Writers Association’s Communications Contest Certificate of Excellence for the illustrations in Children’s/Young Adult Books, 2023

  • SCBWI Golden Gate People’s Choice Award (Portfolio) 2022

  • Spectrum 25, Finalist in Unpublished Category, CA, 2018

  • Society of Illustrators LA’s Illustration West 56th Annual Competition, Silver Medal in Children’s Market Category and a Finalist in Unpublished Category, CA, 2017.

  • 3x3 Picture Book Show No.13, Merit Winner, NY, 2016

  • SCBWI Golden Gate Conference, Portfolio Best In Show, CA, 2016

  • Society of Illustrators LA’s Illustration West 54th Annual Competition, Three pieces Finalist in Unpublished Category, CA, 2015.

  • 3x3 Picture Book Show No.11, Two Honorable Mentions, 2014

  • Creative Quarterly 35, Runner Up, NY, 2014

  • 3x3 Children’s Illustration Show No.9, NY, 2012

  • Pikes Peak Watercolor Society, International Watermedia XVI, Honorable Mention, CO, 2011

  • Society of Illustrators NY, Student Scholarship Competition, Finalist, 2010 & 2011

  • National Watercolor Society 90th Annual Exhibition, Finalist, CO, 2010

  • Academy of Art University, “Spring Show”, Finalist, 2009, 2010, 2011.

Exhibitions

  • Society of Illustrators NY, The Original Art Show, Finalist, 10/25/2025 - 01/24/2026

  • “Pawsibilities Unleashed: A Pet Portrait Exhibition”, Walt Disney Family Museum, CA, 11/2023-3/2024

  • “The Beautiful and the Sublime”, Scotts Valley Branch Library, CA, 10/27/2018

  • “Interlace” the Perfect Sketchbook group show, Bynd Artisan Holland Village, Singapore, 8/8/2018

  • “Send me Across the Sea Vol.2”, Book & Job Gallery, CA, 2/24/2018

  • “Year of the Dog” Group Show, Chinese Culture Center of San Francisco, CA, 2/22/2018

  • “Meow, That’s What I Call Art Vol.2” Group Show, Sketchpad Gallery, CA, 3 pieces, 12/15/2017

  • “Meow, That’s What I Call Art” Group Show, Sketchpad Gallery, CA, 3 pieces, 7/15/2017

  • “100.100.100” Group Show, Sketchpad Gallery, CA, 7/15/2017

  • “My Little Big Friend” Group Show, Sketchpad Gallery, CA, Two pieces, 2/11/2017

  • “The Art of Illustration” Group Show, Gallery at 48 Natoma, CA,11/18/2016

  • “World Water Crisis Art Show” Group Show, UNICEF, CA 2013

  • Pikes Peak Watercolor Society, International Watermedia XVII, Honorable Mention, CO, 2011

  • Society of Illustrators NY, Student Scholarship Competition, 2010 & 2011

  • National Watercolor Society 90th Annual Exhibition, CA, 2010

Interview & Press