Johanna Wright author page

Johanna Wright biography

Johanna Wright is an American author and illustrator of children’s books whose work appears with major US publishers. Her picture books blend approachable storytelling with expressive, mixed-media art and are frequently used for read-alouds and early elementary lessons. Her titles have been published by Roaring Brook Press (Neal Porter Books), Penguin, Scholastic, and Boyds Mills Press.

Wright’s debut as an author-illustrator, The Secret Circus (Roaring Brook Press, 2009), introduced her whimsical, city-meets-fantasy aesthetic. She followed with Bandits (Roaring Brook Press, 2011), a nighttime romp featuring raccoons; Bunnies on Ice (Roaring Brook Press, 2013), a seasonal tale narrated by a confident young skater; and The Orchestra Pit (Roaring Brook Press, 2014), a playful tour of orchestral instruments led by a curious snake.

In addition to her author-illustrator projects, Wright has illustrated works by other writers. Credits include James Proimos’s The Best Bike Ride Ever (Dial/Penguin, 2012). Her broader portfolio encompasses picture books, early readers, and contributions to educational and trade lists.

Wright’s background includes formal study in puppetry and children’s literature, training that informs her sense of character, pacing, and visual drama on the page. Her books are noted in publisher catalogs and library records for inviting participation, building vocabulary around arts and seasons, and supporting discussion in classroom and library settings.

Selected works (author-illustrator): The Secret Circus (2009); Bandits (2011); Bunnies on Ice (2013); The Orchestra Pit (2014). Selected work (illustrator): James Proimos, The Best Bike Ride Ever (2012).