Photo credit: Caitlin Custer, Washington University in St. Louis
Danielle Ridolfi is a picture book illustrator and scholar. She is the recipient of the 2024 Ezra Jack Keats / Kerlan Memorial Fellowship from the Ezra Jack Keats Foundation. She holds an MFA in Illustration and Visual Culture from the Sam Fox School of Design and Visual Arts at Washington University in St. Louis and a PhD in Clinical Psychology from Kent State University. She uses collage and printmaking in her work given the ways these methods can connect readers with tangible objects, memories, and places. Leaning on her background as a clinical psychologist specializing in children and families, Danielle often uses theories of learning and development to guide her practice.
Danielle’s debut picture book, When the Dark Clouds Come, is due to be published in 2025. She is represented by Erin Murphy Literary Agency. Her design and illustration work has also been featured in Honest History Magazine and by AIGA St. Louis. She has worked as a designer for several creative agencies, including Enrich Creative, New Honor Society, and Cheree Berry Paper. Danielle currently teaches college courses about picture book illustration and children’s studies at Washington University in St. Louis and writes about visual culture. Her research and scholarly writing exist at the intersection of illustration, early childhood pedagogy, and material culture.
Download Danielle’s CV for more information about her work.
Contact
For inquiries about picture book work, please contact Ammi-Joan Paquette at joan(at)emliterary.com.
For all other inquiries, including workshops, teaching, and research please contact ridolfid(at)wustl.edu.
Awards & Fellowships
The Ezra Jack Keats / Kerlan Memorial Fellowship | University of Minnesota Libraries | 2024
The Mendel Sato Research Award | Washington University Libraries | 2023
The Walt Reed Award for Excellence in Writing on Visual Culture | Sam Fox School of Design and Visual Arts | 2023
The Carl Neureuther Book Collection Essay Award | Washington University Libraries | 2023
Newman Exploration Travel Award | Washington University Libraries | 2022
Sam Fox Ambassadors Fellowship | Sam Fox School of Design and Visual Arts | 2021
AIGA STL Design Show 25 Student Award | 2020
Interviews and Press
Q&A With Danielle Ridolfi | Sam Fox School of Design and Visual Arts
2023 Neureuther Essay Award Winners Announcement | Sam Fox School of Design and Visual Arts
NEXT Awardee Explores Archives of Munari and Montessori in Italy | Washington University Libraries
MFA-IVC Student Wins Next Award | Washington University Libraries
UMSL Daily | University of Missouri-St. Louis