Carson Ellis author page

Carson Ellis biography

Carson Ellis is an American author and illustrator widely recognized for her contributions to children’s literature and the visual arts. She wrote and illustrated the picture books Home (2015) and Du Iz Tak? (2016), the latter earning a Caldecott Honor and an E.B. White Read-Aloud Award. Her work is noted for its distinctive style, drawing on folk traditions, natural forms, and historical art influences.

Ellis holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts in painting from the University of Montana. Early in her career, she designed posters and artwork for the indie band Tarkio. This led to a long-term collaboration with The Decemberists, for whom she has created album covers, merchandise, and stage design. Her design work has twice been nominated for Grammy Awards in the category of Best Boxed or Special Limited Edition Package.

She has illustrated numerous children’s books by other authors, including The Mysterious Benedict Society series by Trenton Lee Stewart and The Composer Is Dead by Lemony Snicket. With Colin Meloy, she collaborated on the Wildwood Chronicles, a middle-grade fantasy trilogy published between 2011 and 2014. The series features her full-color illustrations throughout and has been translated into multiple languages.

Ellis’s illustration work has appeared in The New York Times, The New Yorker, and The Paris Review. Her fine art has been exhibited in galleries and is represented by Nationale in Portland, Oregon.