The official blurb
Tammy Yee is the author and/or illustrator of more than 40 children's books. She grew up in Hawaii where she explored tide pools, swam in streams, and wrote and illustrated spooky stories her teachers politely read. After she graduated from college she worked as a pediatric nurse. Having children rekindled her love for picture books, so in 1994 she exchanged her stethoscope for a paintbrush and she's been writing and illustrating ever since. In 2022, she was inducted into the Children's Literature of Hawaii's (CLH) Hall of Fame.
The unofficial blurbI'm a mom to an assortment of birds, cats, and a flatulent bulldog named Grogu. I'm also the author and/or illustrator of more than 40 books, and a former Regional Advisor and Illustrator Coordinator for SCBWI-Hawaii.
I love creating books that feature AAPI characters, nature (fiction and nonfiction), and anything nerdy or silly that will appeal to creative and endlessly curious kids. And, I am always striving to develop my craft through feedback, revision, and workshops on writing and illustrating.
On school visits, I'm an island-style, take-off-the-shoes, sit-cross-legged-on-the-floor kind of gal--anything to get closer to the kids. I do make exceptions to taking off my shoes while speaking at conferences, however, I can't promise that I won't be wearing pajama pants while presenting on Zoom.
Photo by Alicia Grand, Rising Eagle Photography
General
Published author/illustrator of more than 40 children's books, fiction and nonfiction, and several craft books. Experience in commercial murals for digital reproduction.
Former Regional Advisor (2015-2017) and Illustrator Coordinator (2014) for SCBWI-Hawaii (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators). Responsibilities included:
Former Regional Advisor (2015-2017) and Illustrator Coordinator (2014) for SCBWI-Hawaii (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators). Responsibilities included:
Organizing SCBWI Hawaii's 2017 conference featuring editors Alvina Ling and Andrea Welch; art directors Lauren Rille and Tracy Shaw; and author David Estes
Organizing SCBWI Hawaii's 2016 conference featuring author-illustrator and 2015 Caldecott Medal Recipient Dan Santat, author-illustrator Kirsten Carlson, agent Suzie Townsend and editor Naomi Long Eagleson
Promoting children's literature and kidlit content creators through collaboration with the Hawaii State Library and other community organizations.
Interests and Specialties
Children, animals, wildlife, conservation, diversity, humor, science, mythology, cryptozoology, biography
Conferences and Presentations
2023, 2015, 2014, 2005 Read to Me Conference, Honolulu Hawaii
2022 Harvard Medical School Office for Diversity Inclusion & Community Partnership: The Angel of Santo Tomas: The Story of Fe del Mundo
2022, 2021, 2018, 2016, 2014, 2008 Children's Literature Hawaii Conference
2010, 2006 & 2005 SCBWI-Hawaii (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators) Conferences
2007 Honolulu Writer's Conference
2000 Hawaii Island Writers Conference
Honors and Awards
"The Tsunami Quilt" ~ Storytelling World Award (2008 Honor Award, Pre-Adolescent Listeners category) and one of The Bank Street College of Education's "Best Books of the Year" for 2007
"A is for Aloha" ~ Selected by the Hawaii Center for the Book to represent Hawaii at the 2006 National Book Festival
"Lullaby Moon" ~ Ka Palapala Po'okela Award (2003, Excellence in Children's Books)
Juror's Award, 2003 Healthcare Professionals Exhibit
