I am a Dutch-born Canadian artist and children’s book author/illustrator best known for creating the Simply Small picture book series under the name Paola Opal. With a clean, bold artistic style, my work has earned recognition from the Alcuin Society for excellence in book design, a star from Kirkus Reviews, and multiple titles in the Simply Small series have been celebrated for engaging young readers and featured on best-of lists for great children’s books.
I’ve also worked in design education at Emily Carr University of Art and Design and at Vancouver Film School. I have a degree in Graphic Design for Marketing and live in Surrey BC, Canada. My legal name is Paola Syme.
Discover more about my background and art at paolasyme.com.
Publications
(All under pen name Paola Opal unless otherwise noted)
(2008-2024) Simply Small Series: Saffy, Ollie, Dotty, Totty, Perry, Bitsy, Rokko, Emma, Tecka, Pippy, Spookie, Saffy Looks for Rain, Saffy and Ollie, Cheera, Kawwa. Simply Read Books. (writing, illustration, book design)
(2023) Monisms: Coloring Book with Poems. Paola Syme. (writing, illustration, book design)
(2021) The Red Fox Knows. Paola Syme. (writing, illustration, book design)
Winters K.L. (2014) Stinky Skunk Mel. Simply Read Books. Picture book (illustration)
(2009) “What time is it, Bailey?” Owlkids, Chirp Magazine, April issue. Story/activity (writing, illustration)
(2005) One Little Bug. Simply Read Books. Picture book (writing, illustration, book design)
Awards
Starred Review on Kirkus
Emma, Simply Small Series
Canada Toy Testing Council’s Top 10 Great Books for Kids list
Saffy and Perry, Simply Small Series
Alcuin Society Award for Excellence in Book Design
One Little Bug (Children’s 3rd, under name Paola van Turennout)