Draft:Illustoria

Illustoria is a tri-annual American art and storytelling magazine. It was founded in 2016 by children’s book editor Joanne Meiyi Chan. In 2019, the magazine began publication under nonprofit publisher McSweeney’s, with their office based in San Francisco, CA. The magazine’s primary audience is readers ages 6-12 and the young-at-heart.

HISTORY Illustoria was founded in 2016 by Joanne Meiyi Chan, a children’s book editor at Lucasfilm/Disney Publishing Worldwide, and mother of two children. Chan’s impetus for starting the magazine was to display stories and art while giving young readers a look behind-the-scenes at the creative process. In addition, she hoped to create a magazine that would offer parents and children a reason to slow down in a fast-paced digital world, and celebrate art and storytelling together.

Issues 1-8 of Illustoria were led by Chan as founding editor-in-chief, her partner the designer Mark Rogero, and art director Elizabeth Haidle, with contributions from artist Claire Astow among other artists, writers, and designers. In 2019, Illustoria began publication under McSweeney’s, a San Francisco-based nonprofit publisher of magazines and books including McSweeney’s Quarterly Concern and The Believer. Beginning with Issue 9, Illustoria became the official magazine of the International Alliance of Youth Writing Centers, publishing stories, poetry, and artwork by young people worldwide. After serving as founding editor-in-chief of the magazine, Chan now heads Illustoria Studio and Studio-Shop, a selection of art supplies for children and adults with the mission of inspiring everyday creativity. Elizabeth Haidle is the Art Director, Claire Astrow is the Marketing and Editorial Manager, and Annie Dills is the magazine’s Layout Designer. Dave Eggers, founder of McSweeney’s, serves as a consultant for the magazine. Illustoria celebrated their tenth anniversary in September 2026, as well as thirty issues of the magazine.

PRAISE In 2024, Alta Magazine said, “it’s the kind of magazine that literary adults would be proud to share with their kids or grandkids…. Parents are increasingly looking for physical objects with which to entertain their kids when the iPads are off, and the magazine format invites kids and parents to interact and learn together, both peering over the wide pages.” It was described by New York Times Wirecutter as “a visual feast…bursting with creative ideas,” and by School Library Journal as “a visually exciting magazine with a DIY attitude.” According to Wall Street Journal, “[Illustoria] is a chic magazine . . . there’s nothing parents need more right now than some mandatory quiet reading hours.”. Julie Danielson from Kirkus Reviews calls it “ a rewarding offering that I hope sticks around for many years down the line.”. Mother says “Needless to say, each stunning issue is something you’ll proudly want to display on your bookshelf.” In 2016 Illustoria was shortlisted for “Best Use of Illustration” by the Stack Awards, and Issue 22:Invention was recognized by the Word Illustration Awards and ADC Annual Awards for its cover art, designed by Taili Wu. CONTENTS Illustoria is designed to encourage drawing on the pages of the magazine and to spark creative ideas through imaginative subject matter. The pages comprise illustrations, artist interviews, DIY activities, games, history lessons, and original writing prompts.

Illustoria has featured notable cover artists such as: Jillian Tamaki, Jon Klassen, Lisa Brown, Hervé Tullet, Carson Ellis, Jillian Tamaki, Isabelle Arsenault, JooHee Yoon, Michael DeForge, Jesús Cisneros and more. Other notable contributors to the magazine include: Colin Meloy, Cece Bell, Aaron Becker, Wendy MacNaughton, Ben Clanton, Nick Cave, Shawn Harris, Andrew Bird, Mike Lowery, and more.

Each issue of Illustoria focuses on a theme. Past issues and themes include: Issue 30: Mail, Issue 29: Smelly, Issue 28: Dessert, Issue 27: Bugs, Issue 26: Blue, Issue 25: Comics, Issue 24: Love, Issue 23: Past & Future, Issue 22: Invention, Issue 21: Humor, Issue 20: Mystery, Issue 19: Cats & Dogs, Issue 18: Rainforest, Issue 17: Senses, Issue 16: Music, Issue 15: Big & Small, Issue 14: Myth, Issue 13: Maps, Issue 12: Upcycle, Issue 11: Creatures, Issue 10: Color, Issue 9: Food, Issue 8: Home, Issue 7: Black & White, Issue 6: Symbols, Issue 5: Motion, Issue 4: Grow, Issue 3: Outside-In, Issue 2: Canvas, Issue 1: Beginnings.