Megan's Story

Megan has always loved drawing and making things. Her father, an artist and teacher, took her to museums on her birthdays to see great works of art. As a child, Megan took piano lessons but rather than practice, she colored in the sheet music! To this day she loves to color and cannot play the piano.

Megan's love of books was nurtured by her schoolteacher Grandma who gave her books as gifts. As a child, she was frequently caught late at night, under her covers, with a book and flashlight!

Megan began studying art in eighth grade, continued through high school, and became a printmaking and illustration major in college. After graduation, she studied art in New York City. When she took a children's book illustration class she knew, right away, she wanted to be a children's book illustrator. She went on to study at Marywood University where she earned a Masters degree in studio art and illustration. As a professional artist, she combines her love of art and making things with her love of books.

After years of creating images for children, Megan discovered she had deeper thoughts to express. Images more geared toward grown-ups emerged through her personal art. This body of work became Megan's editorial art now published in magazines and on book jackets.

In 2001, while teaching at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, New York, Megan met Sean Addy. They admired each other's work, soon became friends, and started talking about collaborating. Today, AhHa! Studios is an award-winning duo designing and creating children's books.

Make sure to visit AhHaStudios.com

Bio

Megan Halsey is an award-winning artist celebrating 18 years in the business of illustrating books for children. She has illustrated over 40 books, including several of which she also authored. Her work has received numerous honors including two Oppenheim Toy Newsletter Gold Awards and a gold award from NAPPA (National Parenting Publication Awards).

The New Yorker magazine praised her dimensional work as "tromp l'oile marvels".

Megan's editorial art has appeared in magazines and on book jackets.

A former Pratt Institute professor, Megan now teaches at Moore College of Art & Design, in Philadelphia and in the graduate program at Marywood University, in Scranton, Pa.

Megan lives in Lansdowne, Pa., with her husband, Marty.



Megan's clients include:

  • Simon & Schuster
  • Harper Collins
  • Scholastic
  • Charlesbridge Publishing
  • Dial Books For Young Readers
  • Marshall Cavendish
  • Bradbury Press
  • Walker & Company
  • St. Martin's Press
  • Indianapolis Monthly
  • New Jersey Life
  • Yankee Magazine
  • Family Circle
  • Abelson-Taylor Agency
  • Denver University Law School


Some Awards & Recognition

  • Bank Street College Book of the Year
  • Oppenheim Toy Newsletter Gold Award
  • National Parents Publications Gold Award
  • Children's Choice Award
  • American Booksellers Association "Pick of the List"
  • Reading Rainbow Recommended Reading List
  • The New Yorker Recommended Reading List
  • Pa. Young Reader's Choice Award
  • New England Book Show Book Award
  • Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People
  • Society Of School Librarians International Book Award Honor
  • National Science Teachers Assoc. Outstanding Science Trade Book
  • Georgia State Department of Education Textbook Adoption Book