Elise Gravel

Élise Gravel (born 10 January 1977 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. 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.

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 Commission des droits de la personne et des droits de la jeunesse 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 (Ontario Arts Foundation) for Nutshimit: In the Woods.

2025 Appointed to the Order of Canada.

Selected works

Balloon Toons: Adopt A Glurb (Blue Apple Books, 2010, ) Blast Off With Doodle Tom (Blue Apple Books, 2012 ) Jessie Elliot Is a Big Chicken (Roaring Brook Press, 2014, ) The Great Antonio (TOON Books, 2016, ) I Want a Monster! (HarperCollins, 2016, ) The Cranky Ballerina: A Graphic Novel (HarperCollins, 2016, ) Head Lice: The Disgusting Critters Series (Tundra Books, 2016, ) The Spider: The Disgusting Critters Series (Tundra Books, 2016, ) The Rat: The Disgusting Critters Series (Tundra Books, 2016, ) The Slug: The Disgusting Critters Series (Tundra Books, 2016, ) The Toad: The Disgusting Critters Series (Tundra Books, 2016, ) The Worm: The Disgusting Critters Series (Tundra Books, 2016, ) The Fly: The Disgusting Critters Series (Tundra Books, 2016, ) If Found...Please Return to Elise Gravel (Drawn & Quarterly, 2017, ) Olga and the Smelly Thing from Nowhere (Olga, 1) (HarperCollins, 2017, ) Olga: We're Out of Here! (Olga, 2) (HarperCollins, 2018, ) The Mushroom Fan Club (Drawn and Quarterly, 2018, ) You Can Be (The Innovation Press, 2018, ) A Potato on a Bike (Orca Book Publishers, 2019, ) Olga: Out of Control! (Olga, 3) (HarperCollins, 2019, ) The Worst Book Ever (Drawn & Quarterly, 2019, ) What Is a Refugee? (Anne Schwartz Books, 2019, ) Arlo & Pips: King of the Birds (HarperAlley, 2020, ) I Am Scary (Orca Book Publishers, 2020, ) Not Me! (North Winds Press, 2020, ) Arlo & Pips #2: Join the Crow Crowd! (HarperAlley, 2021, ) The Bug Club (Drawn & Quarterly, 2021, ) Everybody!: You, Me & Us (Scholastic Press, 2022, ) It's My Body! (Scholastic Canada, 2022, ) Pink, Blue, and You!: Questions for Kids about Gender Stereotypes with Mykaell Blais (Anne Schwartz Books, 2022, ) Nutshimit: In the Woods, author Melissa Mollen Dupuis (North Winds Press, 2023, ) Club Microbe (Drawn & Quarterly, 2024 ) True Colors: Growing Up Weird in the '90s (Drawn & Quarterly, 2025, )