Francesca Chessa

Francesca Chessa was born in a small north Italian town close to Turin. She graduated in Architecture but, after some years of working as an architect, realised that she would rather paint animals, landscapes and children from all over the world. Hence she did a course in Illustration. Since 1997 Francesca has illustrated more than forty children’s books working with publishers in various parts of the world. She has received mentions and prizes in a number of international competitions. In 2010 Love a Duck by Alan James Brown, published by Gullane (UK) , was finalist at the People's Book Prize.

In 2012 Library Lily written by Gillian Shields, published by Gullane (UK) , won the Patterson Prize for Books for Young People, Pre K-3 . In 2019 she has the Kate Greenaway Medal nomination: Is it a Mermaid? written by Candy Gourlay, published by Otter-Barry Books, just to mention a few. She now writes her own stories as well as illustrating those by others. Since 2005 many of her illustrations are in Unicef postcards and products Collection.

Francesca lives in an old house in the centre of Turin with her husband. Her home studio is colourful, full of books and looks over a small courtyard garden. She loves reading, watching movies, cycling and swimming