Books illustrated by Udayana
Hugs are Not for Everybody!
Publisher: Owlkids Books
Release date: 18 March 2025
A fine choice for collections in need of books that help teach children about consent -SLJ
In Hugs Are (Not) for Everybody, author Ella Russell and illustrator Udayana Lugo take on this touchy topic with care and charm. - Quill&Quire
No Huddles for Heloise
Publisher: Orca Book Publishers
Release date: 11 March 2025
Lugo’s gouache and colored-pencil illustrations are handsomely rendered and darling, particularly all the penguins with their cold-weather accessories and eyewear.- Kirkus
Bold, expressive brushlike illustrations, vibrant with bright colour, perfectly balance the actions of the characters and, at the same time, complement the minimal sentence structure of the text. The story is easily accessible for a young reader, and the playful use of expressive font keeps the action of the narrative moving forward.
No Huddles for Heloise, an honest, heartfelt story of friendship, support, acceptance and inclusiveness, will be a must-have addition to anyone’s collection. - CRM
Dare to Question. Carrie Chapman Catt’s Voice for the Vote.
Publisher: Union Square Kids
Release date: 11 July 2023
If You Were a Princess
Publisher: Aladdin (Simon & Schuster)
Release date: 18 October 2022
The jewel-toned illustrations show the children helping their community, energized by the mountain-climbing, rapping, law-practicing real-life princesses surrounding them. Featured princesses are from a wide range of countries and cultures throughout history, a diversity that is mirrored in the characters’ community. -Kirkus
The Window/Grandpa’s Window
Publisher: Bonnier Books
Release date: 20 January 2022
Lugo’s poignant images allow adults to choose how they want to describe Grandpa’s demise. -Kirkus
Bella and Bean
Publisher: Pajama Press
Release date: 6 May 2025
For hippos, becoming big is guaranteed, and Bella and Bean can’t wait! But recently, Bella has started to dream about being something even bigger than big...
When You Meet a Dragon
Publisher: Orca Book Publishers
Release date: 16 April 2024
The opening spread of When You Meet a Dragon is phenomenal.
I particularly like a humorous page two spreads later. It shows the people who hesitate about helping. -CRM
This engaging dragon story also emphasizes how approaching issues or obstacles that might feel overwhelming with persistence and with a supportive group of allies can lead to positive outcomes. -Booklist
City Beet
Publisher: Sleeping Bear Press
Release date: 14 March 2023
Lugo’s colorfully detailed illustrations add to the humorous enterprise. -Kirkus
There’s a wide cross-section of folk that could represent any big city globally. Udayana Lugo’s warm and lively illustrations perfectly capture the nuances of facial expressions. -Quill & Quire
Santiago’s Dinosaurios
Publisher: Albert Whitman
Release date: 27 October 2022
A rawr-ing good depiction of being the new kid. Lugo’s vibrant, smile-filled illustrations feature a diverse group of students. -Kirkus
The Great and the Terrible
Publisher: Studio Press
Release date: 18 September 2020
Casual, occasionally to a fault, but broad of scope and chock full of juicy role models and anti-models. -Kirkus
Jungle Cat
Publisher: Orca Book Publishers
Release date: 16 May 2023
The colorful digital illustrations are lively and filled with delightful, witty details. A welcome reminder that whether you’re a cat or a human, it’s nice to have friendly people around ready to help you out. -Kirkus
Jungle Cat is a beautifully illustrated book with bright colours and detailed pictures; readers could spend more time looking at the pictures getting to know the characters and settings than they could reading the story. -CM
Pink is for Everybody
Publisher: Owlkids Books
Release date: 15 April 2022
Alongside the text are Lugo’s vibrant full-page digital illustrations, which capture the exuberance of this group of friends having one heck of a good time. As she takes readers from one spread to the next, the joy in the children’s expressions becomes infectious, until the reader, too, is grinning from ear to ear. Her artwork effortlessly demonstrates the importance of creativity and respecting others. -Quill & Quire
Plants the seed of deconstructing the color pink’s gendered associations ... Illustrated winningly in textured spreads by Lugo. -PW
The non-rhyming rhythmic storyline is upbeat and integrates seamlessly with the illustrations. Both the words and illustrations capture and inspire the ‘funness’ of pink, with the parallel message that Fun aka Pink is for everyone! The watercolour illustrations are vibrant, playful yet soothing and inviting.-CM
The Lost Galumpus
Publisher: Clarion Books (Harper Collins)
Release date: 10 January 2023
Lugo’s charming and expressive black-and-white illustrations are scattered throughout. -Kirkus
Short chapters and adorable black-and-white illustrations will appeal to newer readers, as will the silly subject matter. A laugh-out-loud adventure with kindness at its core. -Booklist
Cozy illustrations by Lugo (Santiago’s Dinosaurios) suitably complement spirited prose by Helgerson -PW
Fly, Fly, Penguin!
Publisher: Woongjin
Release date: 1 March 2021
Penguin and other birds are sad because they can’t fly. When the others find their special talent, Penguin starts experimenting with ways they can fly.