About

Niña (neen-yah) Mata

Niña is an illustrator and sometimes writer who has created many books for kids including the #1 New York Times Bestseller “I Promise” by LeBron James. She is also the illustrator of the Theodor Seuss Geisel Honored series “Ty’s Travels” by the incomparable Kelly Starling Lyons.

She was born in the Philippines and raised in Queens, New York. Because her parents worked and went to night school, Niña spent a lot of time drawing. Her afterschool activities were watching Bob Ross, Reading Rainbow and looking for adventures in the library.

She attended the High School of Art & Design (NYC) and studied illustration at the Fashion Institute of Technology (NYC).

Niña has always been inspired by the world around her. Her work is a consistent ode to the diverse community she was raised in. She believes that everyone deserves to see themselves reflected in the stories they read and that we should all be celebrated.

When Niña is not illustrating or writing, she is singing karaoke, napping with her cat, dancing at a hip hop class, or on a beach people watching with her husband and daughter.