About
Keika Yamaguchi is a children’s book illustrator and writer, and animation professional residing in Los Angeles.
When she moved to LA from Tokyo at 5 years old, she drew pictures to help her make friends with her classmates, despite the language barrier. She continued to pursue art into adulthood, using it to forge lifelong friendships, broaden her horizons, and give her purpose during her darkest times. The wonderment art brings and its power to connect people to their emotions and each other motivates her to create to this day.
Keika has illustrated several published titles including Puddle Pug by Kim Norman, What About Moose by Corey Rosen Schwartz and Rebecca Gomez, and Teeny Tiny Toady by Jill Esbaum. She’s also worked as a designer and supervisor on animated projects with studios such as Warner Brother Animation, Titmouse Studios, and DreamWorks TV, including as the Art Director on the show Frog and Toad.
Books
Art of Change 2023 (A spread), KickStarter
Thunder Pug by Kim Norman, 2019, Union Square Kids (formerly Sterling Publishing)
Teeny Tiny Toady by Jill Esbaum, 2016, Union Square Kids (formerly Sterling Publishing)
What About Moose? by Corey Rosen Schartz and Robecca Gomez, 2015, Simon and Schuster
Puddle Pug By Kim Norman, 2014, Union Square Kids (formerly Sterling Publishing)
Sick of Being Sick by Justin Sullivan 2012, self published (3dal LLC)
Big Golden book Wreck-it Ralph 2012 by RH Disney (a page and spot illustration)
animation
Everybody Still Hates Chris Titmouse , Inc.
The Day the Earth Blew Up Warner Brothers Animation
Frog and Toad Titmouse, Inc.
Tom and Jerry (Shorts) Warner Brothers Animation
Looney Tunes Cartoons Warner Brothers Animation
Cleopatra in Space DreamWorks Animation Television
Trolls: The Beat Goes On DreamWorks Animation Television
Rocky and Bullwinkle DreamWorks Animation Television
Clients
Titmouse Inc.
Warner Brothers Animation
DreamWorksTV
Union Square Kids (formerly Sterling Publishing)
Simon & Schuster
Disney Publishing Worldwide
Walt Disney Imagineering
Teach And Sing Inc. DBA Heidisongs
3dal LLC
PepperMelon (Sony)
Q Pop
LuxHumans
Recognitions
& exhibitions
LuxHumans: Maneki Neko 2025
USPS Postage Stamps : Bugs Playing Piano and Bugs as Mermaid 2020
Q Pop : Kayōkyoku Art Show 2019, Yokai Show 2016, Tatsunoko 2015, Unicat & Caticorn Artshow 2015, Tokusatsu 2 Show 2013, Monkey King 2013
Center for the Arts Escondido : Writing with Pictures Exhibition 2015
Southern California Independent Booksellers Association : Book Award Nomination 2014
Society of Illustrators : The Original Art Show 2014
SCBWI LA : Winter Kite Tales 2012 - Illustrator’s Gallery
SCBWI LA : Illustrator’s Day - Judge’s Portfolio Award 2012
Pasadena Art Center College of Design : Art Center Gallery Spring 2008
Pasadena Art Center College of Design : Art Center Deans List Spring 2007, Summer and Fall 2009, Spring 2010
Press
2021
HBO Max and Warner Bros. Animation: Looney Tunes Cartoons | Comic-Con Panel Watch here
2016
Teeny Tiny Toady listed as one of The Best Picture Books of 2016 on Kirkus Reviews Click here
Kirkus Star Review on Teeny TIny Toady Read here
2015
Kirkus Reveiw on What About Moose? Read here
Events
Store Signings:
Gallery Nucleus 2023
Once Upon A Time Book Store 2016
Vromans Bookstore 2016
The Last Bookstore 2016
Linden Tree Books 2016
Festivals:
Spokane Zine Fest 2023
LA Time Book Festival 2016, 2014
Tots, Tweens, & Teens Children's Lit Fest 2016 (panel)
Other Events:
Once Upon a Time Educator’s night 2014
College Guest Speaker:
Cal State Long Beach 2021
Rhode Island School of Design 2021
Art Center College of Design 2019
School Visits:
Dunsmore Elementary School (Book Fair) 2015
Canoga Park Elementary 2015
Sequoyah School 2015
Glenoaks Elementary (Read Across America Night) 2015
Library Book Signings:
Casa Verdugo Library 2019, 2016
El Segundo Library (Author Fair) 2017