Kris Aro McLeod
ILLUSTRATION
Catch a Kiss, board book
Sleeping Bear Press, July 2021
written by Debbie Dieson
illustrated by Kris Aro McLeod
"McLeod's delicate, fine-lined watercolors elevate it in depicting its loving mother-daughter pair with medium-brown skin, brown eyes, and ebullient brown curls (Izzie's a little bit more unruly than her mama's). McLeod never depicts the errant kiss, leaving both Izzie and readers to imagine it as they will. A sweet mother-daughter idyll that provides a mirror for any number of brown-skinned readers. (Picture book. 3-6)"
- Kirkus
Bible Gems to Remember
Zonderkidz, August 2019
320 Pages, fully illustrated
written by Robin Schmitt
illustrated by Kris Aro McLeod
Catch a Kiss
Sleeping Bear Press, April 2016
written by Debbie Dieson
illustrated by Kris Aro McLeod
"McLeod's delicate, fine-lined watercolors elevate it in depicting its loving mother-daughter pair with medium-brown skin, brown eyes, and ebullient brown curls (Izzie's a little bit more unruly than her mama's). Though nothing in the text points to specific ethnicity, in a sea of mother-love books featuring either white characters or cute, fuzzy animals, this twosome is a downright refreshing discovery. Broad-leaved plants and waving tendrils give their garden almost an underwater look; Izzie's shift appears to be made of the same pink fabric as her mother's blouse. McLeod never depicts the errant kiss, leaving both Izzie and readers to imagine it as they will. A sweet mother-daughter idyll that provides a mirror for any number of brown-skinned readers. (Picture book. 3-6)"
- Kirkus
The Peculiar Haunting of Thelma Bee
Mighty Media Press, August 2016
written by Erin Petti
illustrated by Kris Aro McLeod
“… a smart, fun, and inventive adventure down a fantastical rabbit-hole. Thelma’s world is brimming with wit, colorful characters, and unexpected thrills. (And magic, of course.)” —Neil Reynolds, writer for The CW’s The Vampire Diaries
“Thoroughly original, but with little echoes of everything from Stars Hollow to Ghostbusters to Bufy the Vampire Slayer, it’s sure to leave everybody as it left me: looking for the next page.” —David Mogolov, writer, comedian, and parenting advice columnist for The Boston Globe
Lizzie and the Last Day of School
Sleeping Bear Press, Spring 2015
written by Trinka Hakes Noble
illustrated by Kris Aro McLeod
"The scene where Lizzie returns to school to hug Miss G. good-bye is unexpectedly poignant. Colorful artwork that looks to be done in pencil and watercolors illustrates the settings, the characters, and their activities with finesse. An appealing picture book for reading aloud."
- Carolyn Phelan, Booklist
"McLeod's round-headed, rosy-cheeked characters share their every emotion, especially Lizzie and Miss G. on the final day."
- Kirkus