Erika Meza was born in Mexico, fell in love with animation on the border with California, and developed a taste for eclairs in Paris before moving to the UK to teach at Nottingham Trent University. She is the illustrator of Salsa Lullaby, written by Jennifer Dussling and Arthur Wants a Balloon, written by Elizabeth Gilbert Bedia. As Brave as a Lion is her first book with Walker Books, and her authorial debut. Her 2023 picture book To the Other Side was shortlisted for the Yoto Carnegie Medal, the Jhalak Prize, the Inclusive Books for Children Award and the Little Rebels Award, and selected by Empathy Lab for The 2024 Read for Empathy Collection. Find her on Instagram and X as @erikadraws.
