Donald I. Benedict

Donald Iyare Benedict is a children’s book illustrator based in Lagos, Nigeria. His love for storytelling began in childhood, when he recreated cut-out game boards from video game magazines, made his own comics, and wrote and illustrated stories purely for the joy of it. From drawing throughout primary and secondary school to building a professional career, his early passion for visual storytelling has grown into a lifelong pursuit.

Donald specializes in whimsical, magical illustrations for picture books and chapter books. Inspired from a young age by animated films from studios like Disney, DreamWorks, and Blue Sky, his work brings imaginative worlds, expressive characters, and heartfelt stories to life.

With over five years of professional experience, he has collaborated with publishing houses including iChampion Publishing, Bear With Us Productions, and Nimalz Kidz, as well as independent and self-publishing authors. His projects include Snoofs: Origin of the Snoofs by Adam Kreutinger, A Girl and Her Imagination by Myiesha J. Duff, and The Nighttime Dishes by Beth Mabry.

Beyond illustration, Donald enjoys teaching children how to draw, playing football on weekends, and connecting with friends through video games. He draws every day, continually refining his craft to create artwork that resonates deeply with young readers.