About Joana
For as long as Joana can remember, she wanted to be an artist of some kind. So, she became an architect. But once her first child was born, all the visits to the library, and the countless story times made Joana start dreaming of becoming a children’s book author. She had no idea how to start, so for seven years all she did was collect story ideas on a little notebook. Finally, one Sunday afternoon she decided to sit down and write… Soon Joana discovered that writing children’s books isn’t easy. But she didn’t give up. She became a member of SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators), joined a critique group, made many writing friends, took classes, workshops, went to conferences, and did a lot of reading, writing and revising. One day, she sent out a story to an agent. The agent loved it and decided to help Joana share her stories with the world.
She is the author of LILLYBELLE, A DAMSEL NOT IN DISTRESS (Astra Kids, 2020); the International Latino Book Awards winner BISA'S CARNAVAL (Scholastic, 2021), which received a Kirkus starred review. She is also the author of LUCAS AND THE CAPOEIRA CIRCLE (Atheneum, 2024) for which she received another Kirkus starred review, and A FESTA FOR LUANA (Atheneum, 2025). Her next book, AMAZING AMAZON RIVER, a non-fiction picture book is coming soon with Kiwi Press.
When Joana isn't writing, she enjoys moving furniture around, curling up with a good book, and dancing like no one is watching!
Originally from Brazil, Joana lives in Georgia with her amazing husband, her three extremely creative children, a rambunctious Morkie, and a needy Maltipoo.
For as long as Joana can remember, she wanted to be an artist of some kind. So, she became an architect. But once her first child was born, all the visits to the library, and the countless story times made Joana start dreaming of becoming a children’s book author. She had no idea how to start, so for seven years all she did was collect story ideas on a little notebook. Finally, one Sunday afternoon she decided to sit down and write… Soon Joana discovered that writing children’s books isn’t easy. But she didn’t give up. She became a member of SCBWI (Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators), joined a critique group, made many writing friends, took classes, workshops, went to conferences, and did a lot of reading, writing and revising. One day, she sent out a story to an agent. The agent loved it and decided to help Joana share her stories with the world.
She is the author of LILLYBELLE, A DAMSEL NOT IN DISTRESS (Astra Kids, 2020); the International Latino Book Awards winner BISA'S CARNAVAL (Scholastic, 2021), which received a Kirkus starred review. She is also the author of LUCAS AND THE CAPOEIRA CIRCLE (Atheneum, 2024) for which she received another Kirkus starred review, and A FESTA FOR LUANA (Atheneum, 2025). Her next book, AMAZING AMAZON RIVER, a non-fiction picture book is coming soon with Kiwi Press.
When Joana isn't writing, she enjoys moving furniture around, curling up with a good book, and dancing like no one is watching!
Originally from Brazil, Joana lives in Georgia with her amazing husband, her three extremely creative children, a rambunctious Morkie, and a needy Maltipoo.