Elise Gravel has a passion for entertaining children with funny and endearing characters. She wants children to enjoy the world and explore it– but learn something along the way. She knows how to explain experiences which children are living through in a way that is easy for them to understand. Using her trademark comic style, she connects with her audience while translating sensitive topics. Gravel’s understanding of how kids act and feel allows her to sympathize with what they may be going through. She offers free posters for parents, teachers and professional organizations that allow them to communicate about life, world events, and emotions in a simple way where a child can make a quick visual connection and feel understood.
Her poster series has been translated to many languages around the world and has been distributed widely in professional publications and newsletters.
Awards / Honors
- 2023 Bank Street College’s Best Books of the Year- Killer Underwear Invasion
- 2023 ALSC Notable Book List- Killer Underwear Invasion
- 2022 Chicago Public Library Best Books of the Year – Pink, Blue and You!
- 2022 American Illustration 41 – USPS Monster Stamps
- 2021 ALA Top 10 Best Graphic Novels for Children – Arlo and Pips series
- 2020/2021 Junior Design Awards, Silver- Puppy in My Head
- 2018 Bank Street College’s Best Books of the Year- Olga and the Smelly Thing from Nowhere
- 2017 Chicago Public Library Best of the Best Books – Olga and the Smelly Thing from Nowhere
- 2017 NYPL’s Best Books for Kids – Olga and the Smelly Thing from Nowhere
- 2016 Toronto Public Library First and Best – The Toad
- 2015 Science in Society Children’s Book Award, The Fly
- 2015 Prix des Premières Lectures Coup de pouce Clé, The Rat
- 2012 Governor General’s Literary Award
- Gold Medal Winner, Mom’s Choice Awards, How Do You Doodle?
- 2013 IndieFab/Book of the Year Award Winner, How Do You Doodle?
- Communication-Jeunesse #1 Children’s Book Award for Bienvenue a la Monstrerie
- Mister Christie’s Book Award (shortlisted – 2005)
- Applied Arts (2004)
- Grafika (2003)
- Applied Arts (2002)