Our Creatives
Meet Bonnie Kelso

Bonnie is the author and illustrator of Nudi Gill, one of the first books to be released by Gnome Road Publishing in April of 2023.
Bonnie gives readers a close-up view of a small, but mighty type of sea creature in this story of a super sassy, colorful and "naked" nudibranch named Gill who meets a curious and inquisitive young snorkeler.
* Reviewed in the May 1, 2023 issue of Booklist!
* Named a 2023 "Great Reads from Great Places" by the Nevada Center for the Book (representing Nevada at The National Book Fair in Washington D.C.)
Bonnie has also signed on to illustrate Heather Kinser's In a Cave, set to release on October 3, 2023.
Her eye for detail and experience as a spelunking enthusiast pair perfectly with this rhyming, informative story of two young adventurers exploring a wondrous world below the earth's surface.
And if that isn't enough wonderful news, we are excited to work with Bonnie on a new three-book series sharing stories that pair important childhood milestones—losing a tooth, learning to bathe, and sleeping alone—with fascinating facts about sea animals engaged in similar activities. Sea Smiles, set to release in the spring of 2024, will be followed by Sleepy Sea and Sea Suds in the spring of 2025 and 2026, respectively!
Sea Smiles is sure to charm readers who have lost teeth, are in the process of losing them, or just love learning cool and fascinating facts about animals with teeth in the sea. In other words, it's for everyone!
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Bonnie Kelso writes and illustrates books for children and adults that encourage individualism and brave creative self-expression. A graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design, she has a background in exhibit design and has worked on projects for NASA, National Geographic, and the Smithsonian Institution.
Bonnie traveled all the way around the world… twice! An avid snorkeler and scuba diver, Bonnie has explored every sea or ocean she has come close to, except for the really cold ones. She still enjoys indulging her wandering nature whenever she gets the chance. Currently, she lives in Las Vegas with her partner and two sons with whom she enjoys many real and imaginary adventures.