Berna Datema is a Dutch children’s book author and illustrator. Born in Alkmaar, the Netherlands, she studied to become an art teacher in Amsterdam and went on to attend the Vogue Academy of Fashion Design. She worked as fashion designer for children’s clothes, specialized in prints and repeat pattern design. 

Berna’s first children’s book series, which featured a family of meerkats, were illustrated in watercolor and ink and published by C. de Vries-Brouwers in Antwerp. 
Along with writing and illustrating, Berna designed digital materials for scrapbooking, working for international websites and shops. 
Berna took part in several inspiring courses by platforms Domestika, Lilla Rogers, and Skillshare, such as Editorial Illustrating and Illustrating for Children’s Books. She loved creating the illustrations for In the Witch’s House.  Berna is member of childrensillustrators.com and SCBWI.