Christina Rodriguez-Unalt or “C. Rod. Unalt” has been working professionally in the field since 2007 after graduating from University of Hartford, where she also received her MFA in Illustration in 2020. Her career began as a scenic painter at a creature shop, where she painted murals and large-scale sculptures for mini golf courses, storefronts, windows, and parade floats. She has illustrated four picture books including "A Bailar!/ Let's Dance!", "I Want to be a Bald Eagle", "The Big Bong Boo", "The President Did What?", and is currently working on her 5th title which is due out in 2024.  Her work has appeared in children’s magazines educational textbooks, and exhibitions around the world. Her work has been awarded a Certificate of Merit by the Society of Illustrators West 58 competition and her series, "Worth the Wait" was honored to become part of the permanent collection for the museum of the Chen Bochui International Children's Literature Award show. 

           

Christina also goes by the title "Professor U", where she directs the BFA of Illustration program at Montclair State University, where she instructs, motivates, and advises students on pursuing careers in illustration.

 

She currently lives with her husband, children, their pup, and two bad kitties in New Jersey, all of whom are a constant inspiration for her own stories and illustrations. She is also an active member of The Society of Children's Books Writers and Illustrators and the Children's Book Illustrators Group of New York. When she's not illustrating or professor-ing, you can find her snuggled up on the couch with a big bowl of popcorn and watching scary movies. 

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Partial client list: Pinata Books, Capstone Publishing, Heinemann, Spider Magazine, Brandylane Publishers and Seed Learning, Inc.

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