Leave the trees please
Magic Cat Publishing, April 2025
Written by Benjamin Zephaniah.
More coming soon…..
Love is my favorite color
Simon & Schuster, Jan 2024
Written by Nina Laden
‘Our world is full of so many wonders. In this sparkling picture book, see and celebrate the glorious moments of each and everyday through a child’s eyes. Look and listen and find the magic. This reassuring picture book will inspire readers to embrace and celebrate the world around them.’
‘‘With illustrations, which dance on the edge of fantasy, this read radiates joy on every page. This book heads in a poetic direction with a simple, verse flow which packs deeper meanings and positive vibes.’’ —Bookwork for kids
This is Mine & Nina’s fourth book together and is the follow up from DEAR LITTLE ONE.
Beginning
Simon & Schuster, Sept 2022
Written by Shelley Moore Thomas
‘In this magical and poetic picture book, a father and child see all the wonders and connections in nature and in life as they go about their day.
From a seed to a plant, from an egg to a chick, from a caterpillar to a butterfly, a child and father observe the cycles of nature and come to see that as each journey ends, new adventures begin.’
‘‘Castrillón’s elegant, expressionistic digital artwork extends each example, using cool purple hues to depict a lush, slightly surreal world.’’ — Kirkus Review
NANO: The spectacular science of the very (very) small
Walker Books, 2021
Written by Dr Jess Wade
This exciting non-fiction picture book introduces young readers to the fascinating (and cutting-edge) science of the very, very small.
"Wade and Castrillón introduce nanoscience with perfect clarity and inviting pictures." – The Sunday Times
"Beautiful ... plunges deep into the world of atoms, materials and the applications of nanoscience, with accessible text and richly shaded pictures." – Guardian
Winner of the UKLA book award 2022, for information books 3-14+
Dear Little one
Simon & Schuster, Dec 2021
Written by Nina Laden
‘From the treasure of flowers to the mystery of insects, this lyrical book encourages children to explore the natural world around them and to be grateful for all that surrounds them.’
‘‘Curling tendrils, swirling forms, and lush colors by Castrillon, give this book a look that grabs attention. The artist’s landscapes accompany a benediction by Laden whose rhyming lines, spoken to a child, contemplate a life lived among the wonders of the natural world’’ — Publishers weekly
This is Mine & Nina’s third book together and is the follow up from YELLOW KAYAK.
Can you keep a secret?
Scholastic/Alison Green books, 2021
‘One day in the forest, Winnie discovers the last dragon in the whole world. His fabulous friends, the gryphon, the winged lion and the tree-man, are the last of their kind, too. They'll be in danger if grown-ups discover them. But can Winnie really keep them secret? With its brave, resourceful heroine and magical endangered animals, this exquisite picture book is a perfect story for our time.’
voted Indie Book of the month, March 2021— Booksellers.org.uk
This is my third authored book and follow up from my debut MIGHTY MIN.
The Balcony
Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman books, 2019
‘When a little girl reluctantly moves from her home to an apartment in the city, she starts to plant seeds and one by one they grow and bloom and change both her world and the world all around her.’
Castrillon’s illustrations are gorgeously detailed, rich with vibrant texture and color. Like our protagonists garden, these pages teem with life. They nearly seem to grow.“—New York Times
“Elegant...A charmingly verdant tale in classic style.” —Kirkus Reviews
“Castrillón offers riotous sprouting life through soft forms, stylized shapes, and bright colors.” —Publishers Weekly
The Balcony is my 2nd Authored Picture book and first wordless book. It won the Gold medal at the Society of illustrators Original Art show in 2019.
Mighty Min
Scholastic/Alison Green Books, 2019
‘Deep in the garden, one very tiny girl is about to go on a huge adventure. Step inside Min's magical miniature world, and discover that you're never too small to be mighty! Min dreams of being as brave and adventurous as her equally tiny aunts, but she's sure that will never happen. Then one night, an owl whisks her away on an extraordinary adventure, and Min discovers how brave and resourceful she really is.’
‘‘This delightful tale of kindness, courage and ingenuity is accompanied by exquisite pencil drawings in warm, gentle colours.’’—BookTrust.org
Mighty Min is my debut Authored picture book, and is lusciously printed in 5 mightily vibrant Pantone colours!
Winner of the Netherlands Bronzen Penseel 2022
Un Silenzio Perfetto
Topipittori, 2018
Written by Antonella Capetti & Giovanna Ziboli
‘That morning the cricket didn’t get up. Everything was the same as usual: the sun in the sky, the grass in the lawn, the water in the river. But that morning the cricket didn’t get up. His friends are worried, they want to know if he’s sick, they try push him and soon a messy crowd gathers around him. Until one day, a special visitor comes to see the cricket: silence…’
Yellow Kayak
Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman Books, 2018
Written by Nina Laden
‘You just never know what a new day will hold if you are brave enough to find out. On one quiet afternoon, a boy and his special friend’s unexpected adventure bring joy and excitement and sights never imagined. And the best part of any adventure is returning home with stories to tell and you best friend at your side.’
‘‘Even with the excitement, Castrillon’s images convey an underlying tranquility that carries readers along with the explorers. It’s a voyage they’ll want to take again.’’— Publishers Weekly
‘‘A gentle story of calm courage and of quiet, trusting perseverance that will comfort readers in their anxious times.’’— Kirkus
Yellow Kayak is the second in the Nina Laden/Melissa Castrillon series.
Che Bello!
Topipittori, 2017
Written by Antonella Capetti
‘Extraordinary things can happen even in the life of a little caterpillar. One morning while he’s busy at his usual stuff, he finds a mysterious being who tells him a new, appealing word. He can’t stop thinking about it since then, and goes around enquiring all the animals in the forest. However, answer after answer, things get even more blurry. Just when the caterpillar thinks he won’t find no peace anymore, something happens in the night sky…’
If I had a little dream
Simon & Schuster/Paula Wiseman books, 2017
Written by Nina Laden
‘Celebrate the wonder of the world in this reassuring picture book about the joy, love, and beauty that is part of each and every day.’
‘‘Rhyming stanzas explore the notion of finding the extraordinary in the ordinary. Easy on the eyes and ears; excellent for bedtime’’ — Kirkus
‘‘Illustrator Castrillon debuts with a splash’’ ‘‘She’s a talent to watch’’— Publishers Weekly
This is my first illustrated picture book and the first in the Nina Laden/Melissa Castrillon picture book series.
