Adjunct Faculty, Department of Animation
Alina Chau (周曉芬) is an award-winning children’s book author and illustrator whose work centers on cultural storytelling. Before transitioning to publishing, she spent over a decade as an animator, contributing to projects like the Emmy Award-winning series Star Wars: The Clone Wars.
Her graphic novel, Marshmallow & Jordan (First Second/Macmillan), has received recognition, including Japan’s Sakura Medal and a featured spot in the National Education Association’s Read Across America initiative. Additionally, her illustrations have been acknowledged by the Society of Illustrators, New York, and the Asian Pacific American Librarians Association. She collaborates with major publishers, such as Scholastic, Penguin Random House, and Simon & Schuster, to bring her creative visions to life.
As an educator, she draws on her industry experience to mentor emerging artists, helping them explore and develop their unique creative voices.
Recent Professional Projects
Crown Books/Penguin Random House has acquired world rights to Napping Baba, a “Sleeping Beauty” retelling by author Roger Lam and illustrated by Alina Chau. The publication is scheduled for Spring 2027.Little, Brown and Company/Hachette Book Group has acquired world rights to A Village Made of Rainbows, a picture book by author Jo Wu and illustrated by Alina Chau. This book highlights war veteran Huang Yung-fu, also known as “Rainbow Grandpa,” who transformed and revitalized his Taiwanese village through vibrant art. Publication is planned for Winter 2027.
The official teaser trailer for Monkey King: Up Roar in Heaven was released during San Diego Comic-Con. First Second Books/Macmillan Publishers has acquired world rights to Monkey King: Up Roar in Heaven, a middle-grade graphic novel retelling of the origin story of Sun Wukong, inspired by the Chinese classic novel “Journey to the West.” Publication is slated for Fall 2026.
MFA, University of California, Los Angeles