A way long time ago, Bonnie (a shy but curious child) once trod carefully past an angry pack of dogs to get to her art lesson. It was worth it! Bonnie is an artist who writes and illustrates books for children and adults that entertain, educate, encourage individualism and inspire brave creative self-expression. She also serves and cares for a Boston terrier, tortoise-shell cat and a Japanese cleaner shrimp. (Rest in peace, Jacques.)
Bonnie studied Fine Art at the Rhode Island School of Design. She worked for many years as an exhibit designer where she had the pleasure of contributing to projects for NASA, National Geographic and the Smithsonian Institution. She traveled all the way around the world… twice! Whenever she gets the chance, she still enjoys her wandering nature.
Bonnie is represented by Liz Nealon at Great Dog Literary.
INTERVIEWS
Lisa, The Pet Blog Lady, November 17, 2025. Beloved Pet Influencer @DexterDogOuray Inspires in New Picture Book Celebrating Resilience and Determination.
Matt Sutherland, Foreword Magazine, September 4, 2025. Having a PAWS-itive Mindset! A Conversation with the Creators of Dexter: The Stand Up Dog.
Emanuel Rose, Nature Bound Podcast, August 26, 2024. The Art of Bringing Nature to Life: A Deep Dive with Bonnie Kelso.
John Robert Hatherly, Infinite Search Podcast, June 4, 2024. Bonnie Kelso: Finding a Friend in Deep Waters.
Jed Doherty, Reading With Your Kids Podcast, May 30, 2024. Dystopian Adventures & Fish With Weird Teeth.
Jamie Buttigieg, Parenting In The Digital Age Podcast, May 28, 2024. Fostering Curiosity and Creativity in Children with Bonnie Kelso.
Kathleen Kuo, Humanities at Play, July 2023. Have you ever heard of a nudibranch? | Playing “Abzu” with author Bonnie Kelso.
Ryan G. Van Cleave, Only Picture Books Blog, March 13, 2023. Author Illustrator Interview: Bonnie Kelso.
Hey Las Vegas by City Cast Newsletter, March 6, 2023. Get to Know Mountain’s Edge.
Channel 2 News City Beat, January 30, 2023. New Murals Unveiled in East Las Vegas.
Channel 3 News, November, 13, 2022. New Mural Unveiled at East Las Vegas Community Center.
The Warren Group, July 15, 2022. Artist Bonnie Kelso to Design Downtown Summerlin Mural
Heather Cash Morris, “First Stories” series, January 10, 2022. First Stories Returns in 2022…Featuring Bonnie Kelso.
Sandra Sutter, Gnome Road Publishing, October 19, 2021. The Art of NUDI GILL ~ A Short Q&A with Bonnie Kelso
Sandra Sutter, Gnome Road Publishing, May 17, 2021. A Welcome to Author-Illustrator Bonnie Kelso!
Clark County NV, May 12, 2021. “Songbirds of Hope,” created by local artist and youth group.
Amanda Davis, “Rising Stars” series, February 22, 2021. Meet Rising Star, Author-Illustrator Bonnie Kelso!
Rocio Hernandez, Las Vegas Review Journal. November 10, 2016. Spirit of Art Group to showcase work at Nov. 18th fundraiser at McMullan’s Irish Pub.
RAW Artists Media, August 23, 2012. Bonnie Kelso at Las Vegas Radiate.
Cindy Payne, Las Vegas Review Journal, February 7, 2009. Artists showcase their work at Neonopolis.
Corey Levitan, Las Vegas Review Journal, September 18, 2008. Following Her Art.
CONTRIBUTIONS
Bonnie Kelso, Knowledge Quest Vol. 54 by AASL (American Association of School Librarians), CBC Column, November 3, 2025. Be the Big Fish: Building Readership Through Local Events.
Bonnie Kelso, LitLinks with Patricia Newman, August 13, 2025. How to Decode the Mysteries of Sleep with Sea Animals.
Bonnie Kelso, March On With Mentor Texts (MOWMT), March 8, 2025. MOWMT: Bonnie Kelso – Fun Hybrid Formats.
Ryan G. Van Cleave and Bonnie Kelso, Only Picture Books, February 3, 2025. Picture Book Review: Ramon Fellini the Dog Detective, by Guilherme Karsten.
Historical Novel Society Book Reviews, August 2024. The Frozen Keep, by Terrill Sullivan.
Historical Novel Society Book Reviews, May 2024. The Orphan, by Sylvia M. Warsh.
Ryan G. Van Cleave and Bonnie Kelso, Only Picture Books, April 1, 2024. Picture Book Review: A Party for Florine by Yevgenia Nayberg.
Bonnie Kelso, March On With Mentor Texts (MOWMT), March 11, 2024. MOWMT Day #11: Bonnie Kelso Makes More Merry – The More the Merrier: Managing Many Characters.
Bonnie Kelso, March On With Mentor Texts (MOWMT), March 12, 2023. MOWMT Day #12: Bonnie Kelso Finds the Funny – Cultivating Humor in Your Informational Fiction Picture Book Manuscript.
Ryan G. Van Cleave and Bonnie Kelso, Only Picture Books, July 4, 2022. Picture Book Review: Life In Hot Water by Mary Batten.
Ryan G. Van Cleave and Bonnie Kelso, Only Picture Books. November 2, 2020. Picture Book Review: Kamala Harris: Rooted in Justice by Nikki Grimes.
HONORS and Awards
2025 California Reading Association: Eureka Silver Honor Award Winner for Nonfiction: Dexter, the Stand Up Dog.
Mural Designer for 1700 Pavilion Parking Structure, Summerlin, Las Vegas, NV.
Muralist for East Las Vegas Community Center, Las Vegas, NV.
Muralist for Paseo Verde Library, Henderson, NV.
Nevada Arts Council Teaching Artist on the Roster for Schools and Communities.
Grant recipient: 2016 – 2023
SCBWI Nevada Regional Advisor (2025 – present)
SCBWI Nevada Illustrator Coordinator (2024)
WINNER of the SCBWI 2021 Karen Cushman Award for chapter book work in progress, “Johnny Bell Baker and the Coal Mine.”
2022 PBParty Finalist, QUAIL TRAIL
2021 PBParty Finalist, LION ART
2020 PBParty Finalist, AS YOUNG GROUNGHOGS DO
2021 Fall Writing Frenzy Finalist, PERSEPHONE RISING
2022 Fall Writing Frenzy Finalist, AUTUMN
2021 Halloweensie Honorable Mention, ALL HALLOWS EVE AT THE ROLLER RINK
Bonnie Kelso 