Rachael McLean

Rachael is an illustrator with a passion for creative storytelling, bringing to life the simple magic of everyday moments through playful characters. Living on the east coast of Australia with one of the world’s most beautiful beaches as her backyard, she is inspired by memories of the wonder and curiosity of her childhood adventures. Her creative voice is shaped by a love of anthropomorphic characters, bold colours and subtle textures.

Rachael is the author of the lift-the-flap series “My Best Friend” about a little girl and boy and their magical BFFs as well as the “Bear and Penguin Story” books. These inventive board books - drawn in a vibrant comic book style - tell the tale of the well-behaved Penguin and his mischievous friend Bear as they navigate common toddler feelings and experiences.

Rachael has worked on a diverse range of education, activity and board books with publishers including Penguin, Union Square & CO., Callisto, Quarto, Hinkler, Scholastic, Lake Press, Ravensburger, Little Hippo and Two Windmills.

When she isn’t drawing, she enjoys the stillness of a rainy afternoon, eating rumballs all year round and a cup of tea with her two tiny studio companion pups - Tazzie and The Bear.