Jenny Cooper has illustrated more than 70 books, working full-time as a freelance illustrator for the last 20 years. She has been nominated for the LIANZA Russell Clark Illustration Award twice, and awarded the Storylines Notable Book Award three times. She specialises in illustrating in a realistic style for Pacific Island and Maori children, as well as books for younger readers.
Jenny has continuing ties with her husband’s family in Western Samoa. She works from home, and raised her two children entirely from the proceeds of her illustration. After the Christchurch earthquakes, she moved with her partner, Chris, to Amberley in North Canterbury, where she battles the nor’wester and nurses an acre of young trees.