Manel Drareni

Manel Drareni, a 28-year-old children's author and illustrator based in Rotterdam, Netherlands. Although she has been engaged in artistic pursuits for more than half of her life, she has shifted her focus to children's books in 2022. Prior to that, she has worked as a freelance illustrator and graphic designer for entrepreneurs and small companies.
Manel was brought up in Algeria and has earned a master's in sustainable architecture and, while living in Barcelona, Spain, a postgraduate degree in interior design. Following the postgraduate, she continued her studies in software for illustration. In transitioning her focus to children's illustrations, she has found her passion by exploring textures, experimenting with concepts and developing a childlike playfulness towards creativity. In 2022, she created Ladybug playground where she self-publishes her books.