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ABOUT AKI

Aki Fukuoka Illustrator

Aki Fukuoka was born in the mountains of rural Nagano, Japan. At the age of eight, her family of seven moved to the farmlands of rural Whangarei, New Zealand.

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Aki has always believed in the magic of storytelling, spending her days searching for that special rabbit hole or hidden door tucked away in an alleyway.

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A graduate of Elam School of Fine Arts at the University of Auckland, Aki is a full-time freelance illustrator, collaborating with clients worldwide, including Simon & Schuster, Scholastic, and Hardie Grant Egmont. She has illustrated over 80 books, most notably the acclaimed Billie B Brown series, which has captivated readers and sold over 5 million copies globally.

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Her versatile style has found expression across various mediums, including magazines, T-shirt designs, stationery, posters, and murals. Aki is also passionate about sharing her knowledge; she has taught at art schools and universities, conducted workshops, and participated in art conferences and events both locally and internationally.

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As a proud mother of four, Aki balances the challenges of motherhood with her creative career.

AWARDS:

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Billie B Brown Series

★ WINNER KIDS' BOOK CHOICE AWARD 2021 (Age 3-8 category)

★ YABBA Winner for Fiction for Younger Readers 2014

★ KOALA Winner for Fiction for Younger Readers 2015
★ Shortlisted for the Australian Speech Pathology Award for Children's Literature (2012)
★ YABBA Shortlist for Fiction for Younger Readers 2022, 2021, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012
★ KOALA Shortlist for Fiction for Younger Readers 2022, 2021, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012

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Sam Kerr Series

★ YABBA Shortlist for Fiction for Younger Readers 2024

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Nobody Likes Me

★Finalist 2011 National Indie Excellence Award (US)

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BIBLIOGRAPHY: 

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Billie B Brown Series

Written by Sally Rippin. Illustrated by Aki Fukuoka. Published by Hardie Grant Egmont

  • Billie B Brown: The Bad Butterfly (2010)

  • Billie B Brown: The Soccer Star (2010)

  • Billie B Brown: The Second Best Friend (2010)

  • Billie B Brown: The Midnight Feast (2010)

  • Billie B Brown: The Beautiful Haircut (2010)

  • Billie B Brown: The Extra-Special Helper (2010)

  • Billie B Brown: The Perfect Present (2010)

  • Billie B Brown: The Spotty Holiday (2011)

  • Billie B Brown: The Best Project (2011)

  • Billie B Brown: The Little Lie (2011)

  • Billie B Brown: The Birthday Mix-up (2011)

  • Billie B Brown: The Big Sister (2011)

  • Billie B Brown: The Secret Message (2011)

  • Billie B Brown: The Copycat Kid (2012)

  • Billie B Brown: The Pocket Money Blues (2012)

  • Billie B Brown: The Deep End (2012)

  • Billie B Brown: The Night Fright (2012)

  • Billie B Brown: The Cutest Pet Ever (2012)

  • Billie B Brown: The Missing Tooth (2012) 

  • Billie B Brown: The Bully Buster  (2012)

  • Billie B Brown and Hey Jack! The Book Buddies (2019)

  • Billie B Brown: The Honey Bees (2020) 

  • Billie B Brown: The Grumpy Neighbour (2020) 

  • Billie B Brown: The Hat Parade (2020)

  • Billie B Brown : The Baby Bird (2021)

  • Billie B Brown: The Best Day Ever (2021)

  • Billie B Brown: The Snow Day (2024)

  • Billie B Brown: The Wonderful Wedding (2024)

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Sam Kerr Series

Written by Sam Kerr & Fiona Harris Illustrated by Aki Fukuoka. Published by Simon & Schuster

  • Sam Kerr Kicking Goals: Flip Out (2021)

  • Sam Kerr Kicking Goals: A New Knight (2021)

  • Sam Kerr Kicking Goals: Sports Day (2022)

  • Sam Kerr Kicking Goals: Finals Fever (2022)

  • Sam Kerr Kicking Goals: Cup Countdown (2023)​​

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Billie Mysteries

Written by Sally Rippin. Illustrated by Aki Fukuoka. Published by Hardie Grant Egmont

  • Billie B Brown Mystery: The Spooky House (2013)

  • Billie B Brown Mystery: The Code Breaker (2013)

  • Billie B Brown Mystery: Playground Detectives (2014)

  • Billie B Brown Mystery: Strawberry Thief (2014)

  • Billie B Brown Mystery: Stolen Stash (2014)

  • Billie B Brown Mystery: Treasure Hunt (2014)

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Go Girl series

Illustrated by Aki Fukuoka. Published by Hardie Grant Egmont

  • Go Girl: Sleep-over, written by Rowan McAuley (2011)

  • Go Girl: Surf’s Up , written by Chrissie Perry(2011)

  • Go Girl: Flower Girl , written by Chrissie Perry(2011)

  • Go Girl: Dancing Queen , written by Thalia Kalkipsakis (2011)

  • Go Girl: Boy Friend? , written by Meredith Badger(2011)

  • Go Girl: Camp Chaos , written by Meredith Badger(2011)

  • Go Girl: Sister Spirit , written by Thalia Kalkipsakis(2011)

  • Go Girl: Best Christmas Ever , written by Rowan McAuley (2011)

  • Go Girl: Back to School , written by Meredith Badger(2012)

  • Go Girl: Sink or Swim , written by Thalia Kalkipsakis(2012)

  • Go Girl: Birthday Girl , written by Meredith Badger(2012)

  • Go Girl: The Worst Gymnast , written by Thalia Kalkipsakis(2012)

  • Go Girl: Music Mad , written by Rowan McAuley (2012)

  • Go Girl: Class Captain , written by Rowan McAuley(2013)

  • Go Girl: The New Girl , written by Rowan McAuley(2013)

  • Go Girl: Karate Kicks , written by Chrissie Perry(2014)

  • Go Girl: Secrets Out , written by Chrissie Perry(2013)

  • Go Girl: Holiday , written by Rowan McAuley(2013)

  • Go Girl: Netball Dreams , written by Thalia Kalkipsakis (2013)

  • Go Girl: The Big Split , written by Rowan McAuley(2014)

  • Go Girl: Stage Fright, written by Rowan McAuley(2014)

  • Go Girl: Truth or Dare, written by Meredith Badger(2014)

  • Go Girl: Little Lies, written by Chrissie Perry(2015)

  • Go Girl: Twin Trouble, written by Sally Rippin(2014)

  • Go Girl:Track Stars, written by Kathy Castle(2014)

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Lily the Littlest Angel Series

Written by Elizabeth Pulford. Illustrated by Aki Fukuoka. Published by Scholastic

  • Lily the Littlest Angel (2011)

  • Lily Gets Her Wings (2011)

  • Lily Has a Secret (2011)

  • Lily Goes Skitter Skating (2011)

  • Lily Lands in Bubble Trouble (2011)

  • Lily Chases Lost Dreams (2012)

  • Lily Gets in a Pink Pickle (2012)

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       Picture Books (Design & Illustration)

  • Nobody Likes Me written by Cynthia Dekel , designed and illustrated by Aki Fukuoka (2010)

  • Witchy Goes Shopping written by Dianne Boles , designed and illustrated by Aki Fukuoka(Scholastic NZ 2011)

  • Giraffe Attack written by Chris Gurney , designed and illustrated by Aki Fukuoka(Scholastic 2011)

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       Other Illustrated books

  • The Badger and the Fan, written by Janine Scott, illustrated by Aki Fukuoka ( Learning Media 2011 )

  • Seeing Eye To Eye Or Not, written by Paul Mason, illustrated by Aki Fukuoka (Global Education Systems 2012)

  • Have You Ever..., written by Scot Gardner, illustrated by Aki Fukuoka (Pearson Education New Zealand 2012)

  • Mind Your Manners, written by Scot Gardner, illustrated by Aki Fukuoka (Pearson Education New Zealand 2012)

  • In My Opinion…, written by Melaina Faranda,  illustrated by Aki Fukuoka(Pearson Education New Zealand 2013)

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       Cover Illustrations

  • Wild Rescue: Poacher’s Peril , written by Jan Brett & Sara Vogler, cover by Aki Fukuoka(Hardie Grant Egmont 2011)

  • Wild Rescue: Earthquake Escape ,written by Jan Brett & Sara Vogler, cover by Aki Fukuoka (Hardie Grant Egmont 2011)

  • Wild Rescue: Forest Fire ,written by Jan Brett & Sara Vogler, cover by Aki Fukuoka  (Hardie Grant Egmont 2011)

  • Wild Rescue: Polar Meltdown ,written by Jan Brett & Sara Vogler, cover by Aki Fukuoka (Hardie Grant Egmont 2011)

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       Editorial / Magazines / Journals

  • Taringa Hokeke: School Journal, written by Kene Martin, illustrated by Aki Fukuoka (Learning Media 2011)

  • Grateful Crane: School Journal, written by Yuki Fukuoka, illustrated by Aki Fukuoka (Learning Media 2014)

  • The Red Ball: School Journal, written by Renata Hopkins, illustrated by Aki Fukuoka  (Lift Education 2015)

  • World Sweet World: editorial illustrations by Aki Fukuoka (2009)

  • Upstart Magazine, editorial and Billie B Brown related contents.

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