About Me

I had the honour of receiving the CBCA (Children’s Book Council of Australia) Notable Book award in 2000, marking the beginning of a journey that has seen more than a dozen of my picture books published worldwide. Among my published works are acclaimed titles such as Boom Bah! (Phil Cummings), No More Kisses (Margaret Wild), Good Dog Hank and Dinosaurs Love Cheese (Jackie French), and Pooka (Carol Chattaway, YABBA Award Winner, 2013). 

In 2014, my collaboration with the then-Australian Laureate Jackie French resulted in Dinosaurs Love Cheese, a book showcased at the Festival of Australian Children’s Literature. Together with Jackie French and Dr. Belle Alderman from the National Centre for Australian Children’s Literature, we celebrated its opening and I donated all original drafts, in-process drawings, and final illustrations to the National Centre for Australian Children’s Literature. Click to view Dr Belle Alderman talk about the making of Dinosaurs Love Cheese.

Another career highlight was seeing my illustrations in Boom Bah! come to life in the award-winning stage production that toured Australia, Singapore, Korea, and New Zealand. Seeing the costumes, music and the fun children were having was an unforgettable experience. Click here to see a short clip of the stage production. 

View my picture book publications list below or visit my books page.
To view my portfolio, click here.

Sharing My Craft

 Since 2016, I’ve been sharing my craft through online teaching, hosting events, and in 2023, I launched a successful membership programme supporting aspiring children’s picture book illustrators.

Reaching out and interviewing past students for the Treehouse Membership has brought what I do into perspective in such a heartfelt way. Witnessing their journeys from saying, “I used to love art in school, but I haven’t drawn in years” to, “I’ve just had my first book published!”, is an absolute dream come true. I’m passionate about inspiring creativity and sharing my skills and insights to help others reach their goals faster.

Why I Do What I Do

My driving force stems from a deep-seated passion for picture book illustration. My goal is not only to illustrate picture books but also to empower others to do the same. 

Children’s picture books hold a special place in storytelling. They often serve as the gateway to a lifelong love of reading, introducing young readers to imaginary worlds, diverse characters, and the magic of art. These books have the power to bring clarity to life’s complexities and ignite imaginations.

My mission is to share my skills and knowledge, providing aspiring illustrators with the necessary structure, resources, support, and community to realise their full potential. Together, we can continue to enrich the world of children’s literature and inspire the next generation of storytellers.

A Personal Note

In 2023, I began a new chapter of my life, returning to Australia after a decade and the end of my 25-year marriage. I enjoyed time living and raising my children through primary and secondary school in the beautiful Aotearoa. While in Auckland, I had the opportunity to illustrate numerous picture books and began teaching online.

Although I was raised in Sydney, Adelaide has now become my home. Here, I live with my son, who’s pursuing his studies at university, and my 16-year-old furry sidekick, Pooka. Meanwhile, my daughter Charlie is finishing her Master’s in Psychology in Auckland and looking forward to joining us soon.

This transition has been a real game-changer, bringing a tonne of excitement as I reconnect with “home”. I’m enjoying catching up with family and friends and getting back into the swing of things, both personally and professionally as I continue enjoying running the Treehouse Membership, writing blogs and putting together a new course that anyone interested in picture book illustration would LOVE! To view my courses. 

And as always, I’m open to new adventures and opportunities. If you have something in mind, whether it’s collaborations, speaking engagements, podcasts, or online events and interviews, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I look forward to connecting with you!

Key Milestones

2006-2009, taught children’s picture book illustration evening classes in Sydney. 

2010, took part in Literature Live, an E:lite and CAL funded program, training authors and illustrators with interactive white-board and video conferencing equipment to enhance remote school visits and workshops.

2016, relocated with my family to Auckland. Taught evening classes, weekend workshops and a series of Auckland Museum holiday programs.

2016, became a Skillshare Top Teacher. 

2017, launched the Picture Book Illustration e-Course pilot. 

2018, curated and hosted my inaugural online event, Project Portfolio, where I had the privilege of interviewing 14 talented individuals, showcasing their work and insights.

2019, curated and hosted a second Project Portfolio interviewing 18 talented individuals, showcasing their work and insights.

2020, curated and hosted the Art/Work Summit and CPR: Creative Productivity Rescue program.

2020, launched the Picture Book Illustration e-Course Self-Paced Program.

2021, launched a 4-week Animal Character Design Masterclass.

2023, launched the Treehouse Membership. An ongoing program designed to support aspiring picture book illustrators.

My Picture Book Publications

Click here to look at my illustration portfolio

• This is the Dog (Maura Finn & Nina Rycroft, Scholastic NZ, 2021). Maura Finn is an award-winning Melbourne-based Kiwi author. 
• The Grasshoppers Dance (Julliette MacIver & Nina Rycroft, Scholastic NZ, 2015).
• Once a Creepy Crocodile (Peter Taylor & Nina Rycroft, Five Mile Press, 2015). Shortlisted for Speech Pathology Australia’s ‘Book of the Year Award’, 2015.
• Good Dog Hank (Jackie French & Nina Rycroft, Harper Collins, 2014). 
• Possum’s Big Surprise (Colin Buchanan & Nina Rycroft, Scholastic Australia, 2014).
• Dinosaurs Eat Cheese (Jackie French & Nina Rycroft, Harper Collins, 2013).
• Pooka (Carol Chattaway & Nina Rycroft, Working Title Press, 2012). Winner of the YABBA (Young Australians Best Book Awards 2013).
• Now I Am Bigger (Sherryl Clark & Nina Rycroft, Working Title Press, 2010). 
• No More Kisses (Margaret Wild & Nina Rycroft, Little Hare, 2010).
• Ballroom Bonanza (Nina Rycroft, Working Title Press, 2009, ABRAMS NY, 2010). Finalist in the CJ Picture Book Awards International Competition, 2010. Finalist in the Young Hoosier Book Awards, USA, 2010.  Listed in the NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge. An illustration was purchased by Dromkeen VIC, to be a part of the Dromkeen Children’s Literature Collection.
• Boom Bah! (Phil Cummings & Nina Rycroft, Working Title Press, 2008, Kane Miller’s, 2009). Winner of the BILBY World Picture Book Award, 2010. Boom Bah! adapted into an award-winning stage production, touring Australia Singapore, and Korea as part of a literacy initiative between Windmill and the advertiser, Little Big Book Club. Boom Bah! was presented to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to commemorate their visit to Australia, in May 2014.
• Elephant Dance (Sue Whiting & Nina Rycroft, Koala Books, 2007).
• Macquarie’s: My First Animal Alphabet (Macquarie, 2007).
• Hippopot-a-Mouse (Mike Dumbleton & Nina Rycroft, Era Publications, 2007).
• Tricky Little Hippo (Jane Bowring & Nina Rycroft, Koala Books, 2005).
• Little Platypus (Nette Hilton & Nina Rycroft, Koala Books, 2000). CBCA (Children’s Book Council of Australia) Notable Book, 2001. Listed in the NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge.
• Sir Joshua and the Unprofessional Dragon (Sam Bowring and Nina Rycroft, Koala Books, 1999).
• Charlie’s Gold (Jackie French and Nina Rycroft, Koala Books, 1999).