We are honored to introduce cover artist Loreto Salinas, illustrator of the mesmerizing cover art for the P.A. Cornell‘s collection, The Astronaut Among the Flowers and Other Stories!
About Loreto Salinas
Loreto Salinas is an illustrator of nature-focused non-fiction books for children, with a twenty-year career in the Chilean and international publishing sectors.
She approaches projects holistically—ranging from research and collaboration with specialists (scientists, journalists, and educators) to content selection, narrative structuring, illustration, design, and guiding the book through the editorial process alongside other professionals. Her artistic vision focuses on the relationship between landscapes and biodiversity, using color and visual storytelling to explore the lives and habitats of flora, fauna, and fungi.
She currently serves as president of the Association of Professional Illustrators of Children’s and Young Adult Literature of Chile (ADIP), where she advocates for the rights, visibility, and professional recognition of the field. Her work is driven by the conviction that strengthening the publishing industry requires acknowledging the contributions of all stakeholders and highlighting the value of visual storytelling within children’s and young adult literature.
Throughout her career, she has published over a dozen books on nature, including titles such as Jardín de Chile (Chilean Garden), Animales Americanos (Animals of the Americas), Animales Mexicanos (Mexican Animals), Animales Peruanos (Peruvian Animals), Agua y tierra: anfibios y reptiles de América (Water and Earth: Amphibians and Reptiles of the Americas), and Reino Fungi: mundo entrelazado (Fungi Kingdom: Intertwined World), the latter translated into six languages. She has also created posters for nature festivals and designed book covers.
Her practical experience is complemented by advanced training in non-fiction writing, poetry, bookbinding, picture books, and visual storytelling, as well as a diploma in Autobiographical Illustration from the PUC (one of the most prestigious universities in South America) and various courses in fine art techniques.
Her work has received numerous accolades, including multiple IBBY (International Board on Books for Young People) Colibrí Medals, the Alija IBBY Argentina award, and the Scientific Culture Award from the Universidad Autónoma de Chile.
Thank you to P.A. Cornell for this translation.
Examples of Loreto Salinas’s Art
Loreto has kindly provided some additional samples of her wonderful art.
Art Direction
Our vision for the over for The Astronaut Among the Flowers and Other Stories originated from one of the book’s stories, titled “An Astronaut Among the Flowers”, which we felt would provide an instantly recognizable cover for P.A. Cornell’s collection.
With her recommendation, we reviewed Loreto’s portfolio and found her work to be phenomenal and eye-catching. The connection of the shared Chilean heritage between author and artist made this a quite special partnership, and we are thrilled to showcase this beautiful cover from Loreto.
The Final Cover
This is the final, transporting cover for The Astronaut Among the Flowers and Other Stories. Thank you, Loreto, for your beautiful work!
Follow Loreto Salinas on Instagram to see more of her art.
Learn more about The Astronaut Among the Flowers and Other Stories by P.A. Cornell: