Julie Morstad

Julie Morstad has won the $1,000 Elizabeth Mrazik-Cleaver Canadian Picture Book Award for illustrating the picture book Bloom: A Story of Fashion Designer Elsa Schiaparelli (HarperCollins). The picture-book biography of designer Elsa Schiaparelli was written by Kyo Maclear. Morstad and Maclear previously collaborated on Julia, Child, about a young girl who loves to cook, that was inspired by the life and spirit of chef Julia Child.

“Morstad’s illustrations are as refined and creative as the subject of her book, and beautifully convey the message of empowerment from Kyo Maclear’s text,” the jury – comprised of Camilia Kahrizi, Carol-Ann Hoyte, and Merle Harris – said in a statement. The jury also selected two honour books from among the 10 finalists: Africville, illustrated by Eva Campbell and written by Shauntay Grant; and Deep Underwater, illustrated and written by Irene Luxbacher (both Groundwood Books).

The award is presented annually by the Canadian section of the International Board on Books for Young People. The award is funded through an endowment left by Canadian illustrator Elizabeth Mrazik-Cleaver following her death in 1985.

An illustration by Julie Morstad from Bloom: A Story of Fashion Designer Elsa Schiaparelli