📖 Overview
Julie Morstad is a Canadian illustrator, author and artist known for her distinctive children's book illustrations and commercial work. She has received widespread recognition for her delicate, whimsical style that often incorporates elements of vintage aesthetics and natural themes.
As an illustrator, Morstad has collaborated with numerous authors and publishers, creating artwork for acclaimed children's books including "How To" by Julie Morstad, "This Is Sadie" by Sara O'Leary, and "Julia, Child" by Kyo Maclear. Her work has earned multiple awards including the Elizabeth Mrazik-Cleaver Picture Book Award and the Christie Harris Illustrated Children's Literature Prize.
Morstad's artistic practice extends beyond children's literature to include fine art exhibitions, editorial illustrations, and design work for clients in fashion and music. Her illustrations have appeared in publications like The New York Times and Maisonneuve Magazine.
The artist resides in Vancouver, British Columbia, where she continues to produce both personal and commercial work while teaching illustration at Emily Carr University of Art + Design. Her illustrated books have been translated into multiple languages and are distributed internationally.
👀 Reviews
Readers consistently highlight Morstad's illustration style, praising her detailed linework and muted color palettes. Parents note how her art captures children's imagination while maintaining sophistication. On Goodreads, readers frequently mention the "dreamy," "nostalgic" quality of her work.
What readers liked:
- Clean, elegant art style that appeals to both children and adults
- Ability to convey emotion through subtle details
- Natural themes and vintage-inspired elements
- Diversity in character representation
What readers disliked:
- Some find her color choices too subdued for young children
- Text in her authored works can be sparse compared to illustrations
- Higher price point of her books noted by multiple reviewers
Ratings across platforms:
Goodreads: Average 4.2/5 across all illustrated works
Amazon: 4.5/5 average customer rating
Books like "This Is Sadie" and "How To" consistently receive 4+ star reviews, with art quality as the most-mentioned positive feature.
📚 Books by Julie Morstad
Julia, Child
A picture book about a young girl named Julia who discovers the joys of cooking with her friend Simca as they create elaborate meals and share them with others.
When You Were Small A bedtime story following a father telling his son tales about when he was tiny enough to use a ruler as a ski and sleep in his father's shirt pocket.
When I Was Small A mother shares whimsical memories with her son Henry about her own childhood when she was small enough to swim in a birdbath and ice skate on a frozen puddle.
How To An illustrated guide showing children various ways to go about daily activities, from "how to wash your socks" to "how to be brave."
Today A child explores the countless possibilities of what a single day might bring, from watching clouds to picking berries.
Time Is a Flower An exploration of the concept of time through various metaphors and natural imagery, examining how time can be measured and experienced differently.
Where You Came From A series of imaginative explanations parents give their children about their origins, from riding moonbeams to growing in gardens.
When You Were Small A bedtime story following a father telling his son tales about when he was tiny enough to use a ruler as a ski and sleep in his father's shirt pocket.
When I Was Small A mother shares whimsical memories with her son Henry about her own childhood when she was small enough to swim in a birdbath and ice skate on a frozen puddle.
How To An illustrated guide showing children various ways to go about daily activities, from "how to wash your socks" to "how to be brave."
Today A child explores the countless possibilities of what a single day might bring, from watching clouds to picking berries.
Time Is a Flower An exploration of the concept of time through various metaphors and natural imagery, examining how time can be measured and experienced differently.
Where You Came From A series of imaginative explanations parents give their children about their origins, from riding moonbeams to growing in gardens.
👥 Similar authors
Carson Ellis creates picture books with nature themes and hand-drawn illustrations that focus on simple narratives. Her work includes House and Du Iz Tak, which share similar artistic sensibilities to Morstad's detailed line work.
Sophie Blackall illustrates characters with intricate patterns and period details, particularly in historical settings. Her books like Hello Lighthouse and Finding Winnie demonstrate comparable attention to clothing and architectural elements.
Christian Robinson uses paint and collage techniques to depict diverse characters in everyday scenes. His illustration style in Last Stop on Market Street and You Matter shows similar respect for quiet moments and child perspectives.
Sydney Smith employs watercolor and ink to capture urban landscapes and emotional storylines. His books Small in the City and Town Is by the Sea share Morstad's ability to convey mood through environment.
Jon Klassen creates minimalist compositions with limited color palettes that emphasize character expression. His Hat trilogy and The Rock from the Sky display comparable restraint in visual storytelling.
Sophie Blackall illustrates characters with intricate patterns and period details, particularly in historical settings. Her books like Hello Lighthouse and Finding Winnie demonstrate comparable attention to clothing and architectural elements.
Christian Robinson uses paint and collage techniques to depict diverse characters in everyday scenes. His illustration style in Last Stop on Market Street and You Matter shows similar respect for quiet moments and child perspectives.
Sydney Smith employs watercolor and ink to capture urban landscapes and emotional storylines. His books Small in the City and Town Is by the Sea share Morstad's ability to convey mood through environment.
Jon Klassen creates minimalist compositions with limited color palettes that emphasize character expression. His Hat trilogy and The Rock from the Sky display comparable restraint in visual storytelling.