Biography

Mike Curato is an author and illustrator of picture books and graphic novels. He is the creator of the beloved and award-winning Little Elliot book series as well as Where Is Bina Bear? His highly acclaimed (and sometimes banned) debut young adult graphic novel, Flamer, was awarded the 2020 Lambda Literary Award and the 2021 Massachusetts Book Award. He’s also the illustrator of the picture books All the Way to Havana by Margarita Engle, Worm Loves Worm by J.J. Austrian, The Power of One by Trudy Ludwig, What If… and The Sharey Godmother, both written by Samantha Berger, What Are You? by Christian Trimmer, and If I Were a Fish by Corook and Olivia Barton.

Born and raised outside of New York City, Mike has been drawing ever since he could hold a pencil. He attended Syracuse University, earning a BFA in illustration. After college, he worked as a graphic designer for the better part of ten years until his dream of making picture books became a reality in 2012 when Henry Holt Books for Young Readers offered Mike a three-book deal.

These days, Mike lives in Northampton, Massachusetts with his dog, Leia. His pastimes include karaoke, hiking, and all things dessert-related.