Mike Curato


Mike Curato is a Filipino-American writer and illustrator of children's books. His graphic novel, Flamer, received a Lambda Literary Award for Children's and Young Adult Literature in 2021.

Personal life

Curato was born and raised in the suburbs of New York City and currently lives in Brooklyn.
He received a bachelor of fine arts degree from Syracuse University before moving to Seattle to pursue a career as a graphic designer.
He is Filipino-American and was raised Catholic.

Selected works

Little Elliot series (2014-2018)

The Little Elliot series follows an elephant named Elliot and consists of five books: Little Elliot, Big City ; Little Elliot, Big Family ; Little Elliot, Big Fun ; Little Elliot, Fall Friends ; and Merry Christmas, Little Elliot.
YearBookAccoladeResultRef.
2014Little Elliot, Big CitySociety of Illustrators' Founder's AwardWinner
2014Little Elliot, Big CityAmazon's Best Books of 2014: Ages 3-5Selection
2014Little Elliot, Big CityHuffPost's Best Picture Books: Most CharmingWinner
2014Little Elliot, Big CityPBS Best Picture BooksHonorable Mention
2015Little Elliot, Big CityEzra Jack Keats Award: New IllustratorHonor
2015Little Elliot, Big CityCommunication Arts Award of Excellence: IllustrationWinner
2015Little Elliot, Big CityNew Atlantic Independent Booksellers Association: Picture Book of the YearWinner
2015Little Elliot, Big FamilyAmazon's Best Books of 2015: Ages 3-5Selection
2016Little Elliot, Big FamilyChildren's Book Council Children's Choice IllustratorFinalist
2016Little Elliot, Big FamilyNCTE Charlotte Huck AwardRecommended
2016Little Elliot, Big FamilyIndieBound Indies Next ListSelection
2017Little Elliot, Fall FriendsHuffPost's Best Picture Books: Best Friendship/KindnessHonorable Mention

''Flamer'' (2020)

Flamer is a semi-autobiographical graphic novel, published September 1, 2020 by Henry Holt and Company. The book has received various accolades, including the Lambda Literary Award for Children's and Young Adult Literature in 2021.

Publications

Little Elliot series

Little Elliot, Big City, published August 26, 2014 by Henry Holt and CompanyLittle Elliot, Big Family, published October 6, 2015 by Henry Holt and CompanyLittle Elliot, Big Fun, published August 30, 2016 by Henry Holt and CompanyLittle Elliot, Fall Friends, published August 29, 2017 by Henry Holt and CompanyMerry Christmas, Little Elliot, published September 11, 2018 by Henry Holt and Company

Standalone books

Flamer, published September 1, 2020 by Henry Holt and CompanyWhere is Bina Bear?, expected to be published January 11, 2022 by Henry Holt and Company

Illustrator

Worm Loves Worm, written by J. J. Austrian and published January 5, 2016 by Balzer + BrayAll the Way to Havana, written by Margarita Engle and published August 29, 2017 by Henry Holt and CompanyWhat If..., written by Samantha Berger and published April 10, 2018 by Little, Brown Books for Young ReadersSunny Day: A Celebration of Sesame Street, written by Joe Raposo; illustrated alongside Christian Robinson, Selina Alko, Brigette Barrager, Roger Bradford, Vanessa Brantley-Newton, Ziyue Chen, Joey Chu, Pat Cummings, Leo Espinosa, Tom Lichtenheld, Rafael López, Emily Winfield Martin, Joe Mathieu, Kenard Pak, Greg Pizzoli, Sean Qualls, and Dan Santat; and published October 22, 2019 by Random House Books for Young ReadersThe Power of One: Every Act of Kindness Counts, written by Trudy Ludwig, published August 25, 2020 by Alfred A. Knopf Books for Young ReadersThe Sharey Godmother, written by Samantha Berger and published April 13, 2021 by ImprintWhat Are You? written by Christian Trimmer and expected to be published October 18, 2022 by Roaring Brook Press