Elise Gravel
Élise Gravel is a Canadian author and illustrator from Montreal, Quebec.
Gravel's original books and graphic novels focus on whimsical characters, social justice issues, and biodiversity. She cites children's author Roald Dahl and illustrator Quentin Blake as major sources of inspiration.
Gravel has written more than fifty books, and her work has been translated into over twelve languages. She studied graphic design at Collège Ahuntsic, before becoming an illustrator.
Gravel publishes in both English and in French. She has worked with several different publishing houses, including Montreal-based comics publisher Drawn & Quarterly.
In September 2021, Gravel's original artwork was featured on a series of stamps for the U.S. Postal Service. The 'Message Monsters' stamp design was interactive and playful with the inclusion of dozens of accessory stickers.
In February 2024, the Jewish Public Library of Montreal moved her books to their closed stacks, following Instagram posts that the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs described as antisemitic. A few days later, the library restored the books.
Personal life
Gravel is the daughter of writer François Gravel and Murielle Grégoire. She is married and lives in Montreal. She has two daughters.Awards and recognition
- 2012 Governor General's Award for Children's Illustration in French for La clé à molette.
- 2019 The Rights and Freedoms Award from the in honour of her body of work.
- 2022 Vicky Metcalf Award for Literature for Young People from the Writers' Trust of Canada in honour of her body of work.
- 2024 Ruth and Sylvia Schwartz Children's Book Award for Nutshimit: In the Woods.
- 2025 Appointed to the Order of Canada.
Selected works
Balloon Toons: Adopt A Glurb Blast Off With Doodle Tom Jessie Elliot Is a Big Chicken The Great Antonio I Want a Monster! The Cranky Ballerina: A Graphic Novel Head Lice: The Disgusting Critters Series The Spider: The Disgusting Critters Series The Rat: The Disgusting Critters Series The Slug: The Disgusting Critters Series The Toad: The Disgusting Critters Series The Worm: The Disgusting Critters Series The Fly: The Disgusting Critters Series If Found...Please Return to Elise Gravel Olga and the Smelly Thing from Nowhere Olga: We're Out of Here! The Mushroom Fan Club You Can Be A Potato on a Bike Olga: Out of Control! The Worst Book Ever What Is a Refugee? Arlo & Pips: King of the Birds I Am Scary Not Me! Arlo & Pips #2: Join the Crow Crowd! The Bug Club Everybody!: You, Me & Us It's My Body! Pink, Blue, and You!: Questions for Kids about Gender Stereotypes with Mykaell Blais Nutshimit: In the Woods, author Melissa Mollen Dupuis Club Microbe- ''True Colors: Growing Up Weird in the '90s''