Hello!

I’m Shirley, an author/illustrator of children’s books who loves art and storytelling. I’m always experimenting with traditional media: watercolor, gouache, pencil, dip pen & ink, and recently painted & cut-paper collage. I’ve worked as a Professional Lettering Artist for American Greetings; an art director, print manager, and designer for various design firms in Arizona and California, and then started GabbyandCo.com creating logos, marketing materials, and product design for the health, technology, retail, food, toy, and publishing industries.

In ’09, I followed my dream to illustrate books for children, and have since had the honor of illustrating over 35. Compassion and connection are big goals in my work as I strive to create books that readers of all ages will find heart and hope in—even when life throws a curveball. I live in the Bay Area, California with my family and two black cats, Miso & Luna, and am thrilled to share that my debut author/illustrated picture book DOWN, THROUGH, UP by Quill Tree Books/HarperCollins, will be released in 2027. 

For all children’s publishing inquiries, please contact Ammi-Joan Paquette/Erin Murphy Literary Agency at:
joan (at) emliterary (dot) com

For all other questions, please email shirley (at) shirleyngbenitez (dot) com

Thanks so much for visiting! ~ Shirley

PUBLISHERS
Union Square Kids
Quill Tree Books/HarperCollins
Little Simon
Magination Press
Lee & Low
Apples & Honey Press and more…

HONORS/AWARDS/Highlights

2024, Bank Street’s Best Books of the Year, 2024, THE TALENT SHOW by Samantha Thornhill, published by Lee & Low Books
2023, WeNeedDiverseBooks 2024 Mentorship Program: Mentor, Illustration
2023, PJ Library Selection, May ‘23, A NEW WEEK by Vicki Weber, published by Apples & Honey Press
2022, Bank Street’s Best Books of the Year, 2022 (books pub’d in 2021), PABLO’S PET by Sheri Tan, and THE PROTEST by Samantha Thornhill, published by Lee & Low Books
2021, Kirkus Best Books of 2021 for Beginning Readers, THE PROTEST, by Samantha Thornhill, published by Lee & Low Books
2021, AWEtober Fundraiser (@AWEtober on Instagram), raised $7,200+ for victims of the California wildfires, and coral/kelp restoration efforts around the globe
2020, Created the AWEtober Auction & Wellness Fundraiser (@AWEtober on Instagram), and raised $9,000+ for the victims of the California wildfires
2020, Bologna Children’s Book Fair Selected Illustration: “La Danse de l’Ours Bleu et de la Fille”, The “Children-Spectators” Exhibit at the BCBF, Bologna, Italy
2020, Finalist, WNDB Mentorship Program, Author/Illustrator
2018, Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection, THE PERFECT GIFT by Paula Yoo, published by Lee & Low Books
2018, Mentee, Rutgers University Council on Children’s Literature One-on-One-Plus Conference; Clarissa Wong, Harper Collins Children’s Books, Mentor
2017, Mentee, Nevada SCBWI Conference; Kristine Brogno, Chronicle Books, Mentor
2017, Junior Library Guild Selection, BLOCK PARTY by Gwendolyn Hooks, published by Lee & Low Books
2016, Honor Portfolio, SCBWI San Francisco Illustrator Day

smileshop - my Etsy shop
gabbyandco.com - my graphic design site
Monsieur Olivet & Friends - a little french mouse's blog
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Member of: The Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators
Picture Book Artists Association
Friends of Calligraphy
Pacific Scribes