I'm an author and illustrator, with a background in animation and children’s books.

I love creating expressive characters with personality, particularly for early chapter books and middle grade novels, as well as warm-hearted, gentle colour work for the very young. I work in traditional mediums, or digitally, or a combination of both - whatever feels best for the particular artwork.

I’m also strongly inspired and influenced by the natural world, and love painting birds, flowers and nature.

I live on the beautiful mid-north coast of NSW, Australia, with my husband and 3 sons.

Professional background

Publishing

I have written and illustrated 6 children’s picture books, all first published by Penguin Books Australia, and have subsequently been published in the US, Canada, Korea, the UK, and translated into Hebrew, Spanish, and Korean.

My book titles include;
Fly, Little Bird
Are You Hungry?
Sophie’s Big Bed
Sophie Bakes a Cake
It’s Christmas
Ruby Makes a Friend
Rosie to the Rescue
Rosie and the Bunyip

I've also illustrated chapter books, picture books, book covers, and various magazines for children including Highlights Magazine (US) and School Magazine (Australia).

Animation

I trained and worked as an animator at the Walt Disney Animation Studio in Sydney, Australia, on a number of Disney films. It was an amazing opportunity, working with and learning from incredible artists. We trained in human (and dog) anatomy through life drawing classes, and visited zoos and studied animals to get a better understanding of movement, form and construction. We had some of the world greats come and teach us - including Glen Keane, Andreas Deja, Chris Sanders and Dean DeBlois, among many others. It was truly an amazing training ground for someone who has always loved to draw.

I worked on the animated feature film "Peter Pan; Return to Neverland", and movie length sequels to Disney classics including, “The Lion King", "The Little Mermaid", "Tarzan", "Lilo and Stitch", “Lady and the Tramp” and "A Goofy Movie".

Reviews

  • “Burke’s illustrations are uncrowded but filled with character, incident and emotion.... All designed to delight preschoolers” (4 stars – “an excellent book”)

    Bookseller + Publisher Magazine (Aust)

  • "Burke’s soft, pastel and watercolor drawings are warm and inviting, capturing the magical anticipation and excitement that children feel waiting for the holiday”

    School Library Journal (US)

  • “All the more poignant for its eloquent simplicity, this tale will likely find a home in many young readers' hearts, and is especially well-suited to preschoolers just learning about letting go.”

    Publishers Weekly (USA) *Starred Review

  • Pre-readers and readers alike will enjoy this visual treat that tickles the funny bone while providing a tender reflection on friendship.”

    Kirkus Reviews (US)

  • "Joan Walsh Aglund has a worthy successor in Tina Burke. Her drawings portray the bursting exuberance of young children... Burke’s attention to detail is a pleasure to behold”

    Curled Up Kids (US)

  • Notable Book: Sophie's Big Bed

    Children’s Book Council of Australia

  • Best Picture Books of the Year, Shortlist: Are You Hungry?

    Early Childhood Australia

  • Best Children’s Books of the Year list: Fly, Little Bird

    Bank Street College of Education, US

  • “This delightful book is the first for Tina Burke ... her illustrative style with its rhythmical lines, energetic body language and bright colours is fresh and original”

    Magpies Magazine (Aust)