About the Artist
Sophie Della Penna is a children’s book illustrator, author, and freelance artist.
Her work is whimsical and playful, focusing on the themes of nature, nostalgia, fantasy, and the beauty of imagination. She was born and raised on Long Island, New York and spent much of her childhood drawing, exploring nature, and playing make believe. She is passionate about children’s art and literature, and believes deeply in the importance of creative storytelling. Sophie recently graduated from Maryland Institute College of Art in May 2021 with a BFA in Illustration. She just completed her senior thesis, Violet’s Big Adventure, an original children’s book that she both wrote and illustrated. Sophie is currently working on writing and illustrating her next original children’s book, Marty the Moth. She plans to pitch both Violet’s Big Adventure and Marty the Moth to publishing houses in the near future. Sophie is also searching for an employed position in the children’s publishing industry, while continuing freelance illustration work.
Residing on Long Island, Sophie is an active member of SCBWI’s Long Island chapter. In her free time, Sophie enjoys drawing, needle felting, baking, and playing with her beloved dog, Bruno.