Jody Wheeler

Jody Wheeler developed a greater than average interest in children’s books at an early age, having been influenced and encouraged by her great aunt Opal Wheeler, a prolific writer of books for young readers in the 1950’s. While completing her BA in studio art and art education at Elmira College in New York State, she spent a semester at Drew University visiting New York City gallery owners and artists in their Manhattan studios. This prompted a move to Manhattan where she eventually turned to the field of publishing. She worked as a design assistant at The Dial Press in the juvenile books division for two years before establishing her own freelance illustration business.

Since then she has enjoyed working on a variety of projects ranging from picture books to educational texts, magazines, greeting cards and licensed characters. She has illustrated over 60 books, and her client list includes Penguin USA, Random House, UNICEF, Kimberly Clark, Scholastic, and Universal Studios. Today, Ms. Wheeler divides her time between Manhattan and Ballston Spa, NY and Siesta Key FL, working in the very portable medium of watercolor.