Featured 2024 CALF illustrator and author
All About LeUyen
LeUyen Pham (pronounced “Lay-Win Fam”) was born in Saigon (now Ho Chi Minh City). Her family left in the final days of the Vietnam War and settled in Southern California. LeUyen spent two years at UCLA studying political science when she decided to take an art class. Impressed with her work, the head of the art department guided her toward the prestigious ArtCenter College of Design in Pasadena, where she majored in illustration. After graduation, LeUyen worked for DreamWorks’ Feature Animation division as a layout artist and illustrated books on the side.
Her book career took off, and she left DreamWorks to write and illustrate full time. Today, LeUyen is a New York Times Bestselling author and illustrator of more than 135 books. She illustrated the Vampirina Ballerina picture book series by Anne Marie Pace a Disney Junior animated TV series. LeUyen and Shannon Hale co-created the groundbreaking, best-selling graphic novel memoirs Real Friends, Best Friends and Friends Forever, and they teamed up for the best-selling picture Itty-Bitty Kitty-Corn series. Her book “Bear Came Along” by author Richard T. Morris received a 2020 Caldecott Honor. LeUyen and her family live in Los Angeles, and she says her friends call her “Win.”
ART EXHIBIT:
”LeUyen Came Along”
Opening at the National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature at 3 p.m. June 13, 2024 and on exhibit through Sept. 13
DINNER:
“Pink Party with LeUyen Pham” at 6 pm Friday, June 14. This special dinner hosted by the National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature (NCCIL). LeUyen will sign books at this event. Tickets at nccil.org/calf
WORKSHOP:
9-9:45 am and 10-10:45 am Saturday in the art studio.
Cost is free for NCCIL members and $20 per child for non-members
LeUyen will sign books for workshop registrants
Limited spots. Register at nccil.org/calf
BOOK SIGNINGS:
Thursday night, June 13 at Paramount Theatre
Friday morning at NCCIL Gallery
Saturday morning for workshop registrations in NCCIL Studio
Friday night during “Pink Party with LeUyen Pham” at NCCIL
About the National Center for Children’s Illustrated Literature
The NCCIL (pronounced “nickel”) is located at 102 Cedar St. in downtown Abilene and collaborates with award-winning illustrators to produce exhibitions of their artwork that are distinctive, appealing to museum visitors of all ages, and of the highest quality. In addition to this unique artistic partnership, following its debut at the NCCIL gallery, each exhibition travels to museums, public libraries, and galleries nationwide. To the local community, the NCCIL offers:
Opportunities to meet visiting artists during exhibition opening events
FREE family art activities every Saturday from 10 AM-1 PM
Instructed exhibition tours for students
Annual workshops and art camps
Books signed by exhibiting artists