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Violet Lemay was a stage designer, an art professor, and an editorial illustrator before arriving at her dream job: writing and illustrating books for kids.

Violet has illustrated nearly fifty books, seven of which she also wrote. She has worked with many publishers, including HarperCollins, Penguin Random House, duopress, 'Magination Press, and Michael Sampson Books. As an editorial illustrator, Violet contributed art to hundreds of magazines and newspapers.

Violet's latest book, Alithia Ramirez Was an Artist, celebrates the life and art of a young victim of the Uvalde tragedy (see details here). In 2024, Alithia Ramirez Was an Artist won the Hoffer Grand Prize and swept three Children's Book Council's Favorites lists: children, teachers, and librarians. Alithia Ramirez Was an Artist also won BookFest's gold medal for children's historical and silver medal for picture books. The design of the book's interior is nominated for IBPA's Ben Franklin award.

In 2021, Let's Be Friends (HarperFestival/2021) won BookFest's gold medal for diversity in children's books and Firebird's board book award. Violet's illustrations have won awards and recognition from American Illustration annuals and Society of Illustrators Los Angeles.

A native of St. Louis, Missouri, Violet and her family became globe hoppers when they moved to New Zealand for her husband's job. From there they moved to China, and then to Malaysia. If she’s not at her desk writing or drawing, she’s probably at the library, reading.

Medium!
Violet Lemay was a stage designer, a university art professor, and an editorial illustrator before arriving at her dream job: writing and illustrating books for kids. Violet has illustrated nearly fifty books, seven of which she also wrote. Her picture book Alithia Ramirez Was an Artist won nine awards including the Hoffer Grand prize.A native of St. Louis, Missouri, Violet has lived in New Zealand, China, and Malaysia. If she’s not at her desk drawing, she’s probably outside feeding the birds, who think she is Snow White. :o)

Short!
Violet Lemay has illustrated nearly fifty books, seven of which she also wrote. Her picture book Alithia Ramirez Was an Artist won nine awards including the Hoffer Grand prize.