Diana Castillo | Author/Illustrator
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dianaacastle.bsky.social
Diana Castillo | Author/Illustrator
@dianaacastle.bsky.social
1.2K followers 450 following 87 posts
Cuban Mermaid & Author/Illustrator, repped by Saritza at Andrea Brown Literary Agency!

✨🎉 Debut Early Reader comic Snap! Crunch! Munch? is out now! 🎉✨
https://www.amazon.com/dp/082345696X

#Kidlitart Portfolio: dianacastleart.com
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dianaacastle.bsky.social
I've been waiting so long to announce this!! One year after I first sketched this crazy little character, I can now share her book will be out in the world in 2027!

I'm super excited for readers to meet the chaotic and fiery dragon/detective FUEGO! 🔥🐉♥️

#chapterbooks #kidlit #booksky
A cartoony, black and white drawing shows a dragon with red hair breathing fire on a castle. A witch stands on the balcony of a tower, points her wand, and zaps the dragon with magic. Little fires throughout the image are accented with the color red. A scroll in the foreground reads 'WANTED: The dragon Fuego. Dangerous! Bad! Avoid!'. Featured on the scroll is a picture of a grumpy girl with pointy ears and the same red hair as the dragon in the background. Next to the scroll, is text for a book deal announcement: 'Karen Nagel at Simon Spotlight has acquired world rights to Detective Fuego and the Case of the Booms by author-illustrator Diana Castillo, an illustrated chapter book about a dragon cursed to remain in human form and solve dragon-related cases around the kingdom to break her curse, aimed at fans of The Bad Guys. Saritza Hernández at Andrea Brown Literary Agency brokered the deal for publication in summer 2027.'
October 24, 2025 at 11:20 AM
dianaacastle.bsky.social
Thanks for posting Brian!🐉 This sounds great! I'm a huge mythology geek and already have an early reader comic under my belt.

My portfolio is: dianacastleart.com

#kidlitart #illustrators
September 19, 2025 at 3:14 PM
dianaacastle.bsky.social
✨️If you're in the #MiamiZooGiftShop, you can find #Snap!Crunch!Munch? in this corner! 🦒🦩✨️
September 14, 2025 at 2:33 PM
dianaacastle.bsky.social
Big, big news! My debut early reader comic #SnapCrunchMunch can now be found at the #MiamiZoo gift shop!😍

I grew up visiting Miami Zoo so this is a dream come true! If you're in Miami and spot my book please share your pics! 📸

#kidlit #kidlitart #authorillustrator #earlyreader #booksky #bookdebut
An early reader comic book called Snap! Crunch! Munch? by Diana Castillo can be seen leaning against a sign from Miami Zoo. Author/Illustrator Diana Castillo holds up her book Snap! Crunch! Munch? while visiting the Miami Zoo. A giraffe at the Miami Zoo leans in curiously as a hand holds out the early reader comic Snap! Crunch! Munch? by Diana Castillo.
September 14, 2025 at 2:04 PM
dianaacastle.bsky.social
Finished this just in time for #KidLitArtPostcard!! I'm looking for that next #picturebook, #chapterbook or #graphicnovel project!

🎨 Rep by @litagentsaritza.bsky.social @andreabrownlit.bsky.social

#kidlit #kidlitart #magicalgirl #cat
The main image looks like a magic book/tome, with ornate corner protectors. In the center of the book it says 'Diana Castillo, dianacastleart.com' underneath that there are paper tabs that say 'picture books' 'chapter books' and 'graphic novels'. In the center of the image is a cat standing on two legs and wearing a wizard robes. She looks nervous as she juggles two potion bottles with golden looking magic, and little golden stars appear around her.
May 1, 2025 at 3:41 PM
dianaacastle.bsky.social
Tonight I'm painting something moody (and dragony) while rewatching #HouseoftheDragon because... well, dragons, am i right? 🥰

#illustration #workinprogress #dragonart #kidlit #kidlitart
Closeup of a moody painting, showing a teen girl with her back to the viewer but looking over her shoulder. She's holding a dragon egg in one arm, and a blue flame appears in her other hand, lighting her and the area in a blue glow. Behind her is a tall window set against a brick building with greenery. Inside the window we see glimpses of the long, coiled body of a gold dragon (same color as the egg). The dragon seems to be looking out the window at the girl, and she has a worried expression. The mood is overall mysterious.
April 25, 2025 at 8:51 PM
dianaacastle.bsky.social
Awww Mpenzi is a cutie! These guys at Miami Zoo were super interested! A giraffe read-out-loud experience would be the dream😂
April 15, 2025 at 2:11 PM
dianaacastle.bsky.social
BIG NEWS: My debut early reader comic Snap! Crunch! Munch? is officially out in the wild today—published by Holiday House! 🎉🥳

#kidlitart #kidlit #earlyreader #comic #holidayhouse #bookdebut
A picture of a giraffe looking at the camera, with a word bubble that says OMG. Below it, a hand holds out the book Snap! Crunch! Munch? Another graphic bubble says 'big news!' .
April 15, 2025 at 10:46 AM
dianaacastle.bsky.social
POV: You start a new project and your brain is fighting with itself on what art style it wants to use. 😅

#kidlitart #comics #GN #graphicnovel #illustrator
Two identical Frankenstein boys fighting with themselves, one is drawn with lineart, and the other without. They are shouting "i look better!" and "nuh-uh! lineart is better!"
April 12, 2025 at 6:56 AM
dianaacastle.bsky.social
Did you know today is #WeNeedDiverseBooksDay? Fun fact: Their 2022 mentorship program connected me with my wonderful mentor @brianlarossa.com, which led to meeting my stellar agent Sary— and now, my debut book releases this month!

Couldn't be more grateful to WNDB!😍
#kidlitart #weneeddiversebooks
Image shows the book cover for Snap! Crunch! Munch? an early reader comic by Diana Castillo, published by Holiday House. Next to the book cover it says 'Editorial Reviews' and features a review from the School Library Journal, and Booklist.
April 3, 2025 at 4:53 PM
dianaacastle.bsky.social
Hi Brian! Here are some of my samples! This sounds like a sweet project 💙

#kidlit #illustration #kidlitart
April 3, 2025 at 8:58 AM
dianaacastle.bsky.social
Sometimes when my brain needs to reset I just go look at the sea. 🌊❤️
March 31, 2025 at 10:31 AM
dianaacastle.bsky.social
I have some animal (and animal adjacent?) samples. : )

#kidlit #illustration
January 22, 2025 at 10:05 AM
dianaacastle.bsky.social
My writing process is to go weeks without ideas then spontaneously combust with too many in a few hours. 🤷‍♀️

#comics #writingprocess #kidlit
Drawing of a tired artist, in a bathrobe holding a coffee and ranting to her husband about all her children's book ideas.
December 8, 2024 at 8:21 PM
dianaacastle.bsky.social
When you think you're just doodling a funny dragon-turned-human-turned-detective.... and 1.5 months later you've developed a 5 book chapter book series about them. 😅😂😐

#chapterbook #kidlit #kidlitart #detectivefuego
November 16, 2024 at 1:49 PM
dianaacastle.bsky.social
Been doodling this character a lot recently. Royal Detective Griselda Fuego, dragon turned human (with a fiery temper).

#kidlitart #comics #doodles
October 2, 2024 at 8:05 AM
dianaacastle.bsky.social
My mixed media is watercolor with digital lineart ( I'd like to do it all traditional, but digital lines have been the best method to deal with my hand tremors). 🥰

#kidlitart #mixedmedia
September 10, 2024 at 9:58 AM
dianaacastle.bsky.social
Hi #editors and #artdirectors! Don't be scared by this spooky #kidlitartpostcard, I promise I am very nice to work with!

I love to illustrate books with sweet stories, colorful characters and a dash of magic! (whether it's halloween themed or not)
More art on my website: dianacastleart.com
An illustration of a boy that looks like young frankenstein, looking apprehensive at his surroundings. He is standing on the broken, wooden front porch of an old house with cobwebs and mold. The text reads: diana castillo, author/illustrator. PB, CB, and MG rep by Saritza at Andrea Brown Literary Agency.
September 6, 2024 at 8:10 AM
dianaacastle.bsky.social
Thanks for sharing Brian! As always, I'd love to be considered :)

Threw in a B&W as well showing some boy character designs!
September 6, 2024 at 7:37 AM
dianaacastle.bsky.social
My dog Gwen said It's September, time for #cozyvibes ! Time for naps!
September 3, 2024 at 5:30 PM
dianaacastle.bsky.social
Happy doggo day from my two kiddos💓
.
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#internationaldogday #dogs
August 26, 2024 at 4:08 PM
dianaacastle.bsky.social
Wait...is this a COVER REVEAL?? (yes, yes it is). My debut early reader GN comes out next year and I can't wait to see it in the wild!

You can pre-order it here ♥️ www.amazon.com/dp/082345696X

#CoverReveal #kidlit #EarlyReader #booksky
August 24, 2024 at 10:41 AM
dianaacastle.bsky.social
I am BURSTING with excitement to finally go on sub with this #MG #GN 😍

#kidlit #watercolor
Water illustration of a mermaid girl with brown skin. She is holding a paintbrush and looking unsure above her, at the title which reads Alana, between two worlds. Behind her is an adult mermaid and a mer-boy and girl. A colorful sea surrounds them, and above the waterline we see an lighthouse on a lush green island and a man on a boat.
August 14, 2024 at 12:47 PM
dianaacastle.bsky.social
👻 If you see the ghost... post a ghost! 👻 #kidlitart #illustrator #halloween #addKidLitArt
Sketch drawing of a Frankenstein family of mom, dad, and little boy. The little boy, Frankie, is pointing to a ghost in the doorway.
June 21, 2024 at 4:15 PM
dianaacastle.bsky.social
I'm still very fearful of traditional media (my hand tremors cause a lot of mistakes and supply costs add up) BUT I've found a fun compromise in mixed media.

This way, I can let the watercolors be messy, but avoid shaky lineart by doing it digitally. #drawingwithdisabilities #mixedmedia #kidlitart
Watercolor and ink drawing of a cockatoo bird using a claw to cut open a bag of kibble. The bird is looking smug/ sneaky
March 22, 2024 at 3:41 PM