ARREE CHUNG
Arree loves storytelling and art. After working in management and consulting fields, Arree decided to pursue his love of art at Art Center College of Design.
Since graduating from Art Center, Arree has worked in the Entertainment Industry as a Concept Artist and Art Director. Arree's calling to make children's books began midway through his time at Art Center. In 2010, Arree won first place at the SCBWI Western Washington Portfolio show. Although this was a good start, it would be a few more years until Arree would get his opportunity to be published.
While attending the Illustrator Intensive at SCWBI 2012 Summer Conference, Arree received his big break. Arree's picture book dummy, Ninja! showed promise. Shortly thereafter, Arree began to work with literary agent Rubin Pfeffer. In November of 2012, Ninja! was acquired by Henry Holt as a part of a three picture book deal. Ninja! publishes June 3, 2014.
Arree continues to work on several picture book stories as well as writing a middle grade novel encompassing the Immigrant experience. Arree lives in the San Francisco Bay Area.
PRAISE FOR MIXED
"High-flying fun to be read aloud or independently. (Picture book. 3-6)"
-Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review (Ninja!)
"Readers riding high on the ninja craze will find this treatise on how to be a successful one quite enlightening."
-School Library Journal, Starred Review (Ninja!)
"The ninja wannabe who wreaks stealthy havoc on his or her household is now a staple of the children’s bookshelf. But Arree, a designer making his picture book debut, shows there’s still plenty of kick left in the premise, thanks to a bold visual style and a keen sense of comic timing.
-Publishers Weekly (Ninja!)
"Lighthearted and innovative."
-School Library Journal (The Fix-It Man)
"A bouncy nighttime blend of easy graphic novel and almost-wordless picture book."
-Kirkus Reviews (Out!)
"Hopefully, Jo Jo has more adventures to come."
-Booklist (Out!)
"A toddler’s repeated cries to be taken “OUT!” of the crib are ignored by Mom and Dad (a biracial couple), but family dog Jo Jo comes running. . . . High jinks ensue."
-Horn Book (Out!)
"Chung's exuberant mixed-media illustrations bring out the wiliness of his young ninja hero's plans and the energy that’s an inherent part of Christmas Eve."
-Publishers Weekly (Ninja Claus!)
"Ninja Claus silently springs into action. Christmas morning brings surprises that not even young Maxwell could have anticipated."
-The Horn Book (Ninja Claus!)
"A colorful story about celebrating difference as complementary and transformative."
-Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review