"I like to have fun with my books, and I love to draw people. I play around with form a lot and sometimes people say I don't draw realistically, but I think my work is very realistic. Kids in schools do remark on my style; they ask why I draw big heads, little hands. So I say to them, ‘Don't you know anyone with small hands or a big head?', and they do."
(Marie-Louise Gay quoted in "The Art of the Children's Book Illustrator: Eight Leading Artists Talk about their Work", Quill & Quire, volume 51, no. 10, October 1985. Toronto: Key Publishers, 1985. P. 6.)
In 1984, Marie-Louise Gay won the Canada Council Children's Literature Prize for illustration in both the English-language (Lizzy's Lion written by Dennis Lee) and the French-language categories (Drôle d'école). This unprecedented feat suggests the wide appeal of her charming and whimsical illustrations. Born in Quebec City, her family moved frequently throughout her childhood, resulting in Marie-Louise Gay's ease in both French and English. She attended Montreal's Institute of Graphic Arts and, for several years, did editorial illustration for various Canadian magazines. After illustrating Bertrand Gauthier's children's book Hou Ilva, she attended San Franciso's Academy of Art College. The move to California had an enormous impact on her artistic style; the fuschias, bright aquas, and warm pastels of the sunnier climate became part of her palette. After her return to Montreal in 1981, she worked for Les éditions la courte échelle, and it was from this moment that her career really took off. Her humorous and cartoon-like illustrations, full of activity and detail, have become her trademark. The feeling of movement that characterizes much of her illustration is achieved with watercolours and inks. She starts with pencil roughs, proceeds to more elaborate pencil drawings, and then to black ink lines, adding bright splashes of colour as the final step. The sketches, revisions to the text, and storyboards that comprise the National Library fonds, help to illuminate her journey from idea to image.
Awards
 1984 | Prix Alvine-Bélisle for La Soeur de Robert. |
| 1984 | Canada Council Children's Literature Prize, English language, illustration, for Lizzy's Lion. |
| 1984 | Canada Council Children's Literature Prize, French language, illustration, for Drôle d'école. |
| 1987 | Amelia Frances Howard-Gibbon Award for Moonbeam on a Cat's Ear. |
| 1987 | Governor General's Literary Award/Children's Literature for best illustrations in an English book for Rainy Day Magic. |
| 1988 | Amelia Frances Howard-Gibbon Award for Rainy Day Magic. |
| 1996 | Mr Christie's Book Award (For the best English book age 7 and under) for The Fabulous Song. |
Selected Bibliography
Books for Children
The 3 Little Pigs. Illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay. Toronto: A Groundwood Book/Douglas & McIntyre, 1997, c1994.
30 p.: col. ill.; 26 cm.
ISBN 0888992998
The 3 Little Pigs. Illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay. Toronto: A Groundwood Book, Douglas & McIntyre, 1994.
30 p.: col. ill.; 26 cm.
ISBN 0888992114
Les 3 petits cochons. Translated by Christiane Duchesne; illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay. Saint-Lambert, Québec: Héritage, c1994.
32 p.: col. ill.; 26 cm.
ISBN 2762577780
(French edition of The 3 Little Pigs)
Angel and the Polar Bear. Written and illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay. Toronto: Stoddart, 1993, c1988.
28 p.: col. ill.; 22 cm.
ISBN 0773673989
Angèle et l'ours polaire. Written and illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay. Saint-Lambert, Québec: Héritage, c1988.
32 p.: col. ill.; 23 cm. (Héritage jeunesse)
ISBN 2762525799
(French edition of Angel and the Polar Bear)
Berthold & Lucrèce: roman. Written by Christiane Duchesne; illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay. Boucherville, Québec: Québec/Amérique jeunesse, 1994.
90 p.: ill.; 18 cm. (Bilbo jeunesse 54)
ISBN 2890376761
Le Beurre de Doudou. Written by Sylvie Nicolas; illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay. Saint-Lambert, Québec: Héritage, 1997.
44 p.: col. ill.; 18 cm. (Carrousel. Mini-roman; 21)
ISBN 2762584647
Bonne fête Willy. Written and illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay; translated by Christiane Duchesne. Saint-Lambert, Québec: Héritage, c1990.
30 p.: col. ill.; 23 cm. (Héritage jeunesse)
ISBN 276256574X
(French edition of Willy Nilly)
Ça suffit, Sophie! Written by Louise Leblanc; illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay. Montréal: Les éditions la courte échelle, 1990.
61 p.: ill.; 18 cm. (Premier roman; PR 16)
ISBN 2890211312
Ça va mal pour Sophie. Written by Louise Leblanc; illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay. Montréal: Les éditions la courte échelle, 1992.
63 p.: ill.; 18 cm. (Premier roman; PR 26)
ISBN 2890211770
Le Cirque de Charlie Chou. Written and illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay; translated by Christiane Duchesne. Saint-Lambert, Québec: Héritage, c1989.
32 p.: col. ill.; 23 cm.
ISBN 2762563860
(French edition of Fat Charlie's Circus)
Crapauds et autres animaux. Written by Francine Tougas and others; illustrated by Suzanne Duranceau and others. Graphic design by Marie-Louise Gay. Montréal: Les éditions la courte échelle, 1981.
22 p.: col. ill.; 22 cm.
ISBN 2890210286
De zéro à minuit. Written and illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay. Montréal: Les éditions la courte échelle, 1981.
22 p.: col. ill.; 22 cm.
ISBN 2890210251
Un Dernier morceau de ciel. Written by Tim Wynne-Jones; translated by Christiane Duchesne; illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay. Saint-Lambert, Québec: Héritage, c1993.
32 p.: col. ill.; 27 cm.
ISBN 276257367X
(French edition of The Last Piece of Sky)
Dou ilvien. Written by Bertrand Gauthier; illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay. Montréal: Les éditions la courte échelle, 1978.
32 p.: col. ill.; 28 cm.
ISBN 0885700163
Drôle d'école. Written and illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay. Sillery, Québec: Ovale, 1984.
4 v.: col. ill.; 15 cm. (Bébé-livre)
Contents: v.1, Rond comme ton visage.- v.2, Blanc comme neige.- v.3, Petit et grand.- v.4, Un léopard dans mon placard.
ISBN 2891860438 [v.1]
ISBN 2891860446 [v.2]
ISBN 2891860454 [v.3]
ISBN 2891860462 [v.4]
The Fabulous Song. Written by Don Gillmor; illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay. Toronto: Stoddart, 1996.
32 p.: col. ill.; 28 cm.
ISBN 0773728600
Fat Charlie's Circus. Written and illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay. Toronto: Stoddart, 1994, c1989.
29 p.: col. ill.; 22 cm.
ISBN 0773674209
The Garden. Illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay. Toronto: Lorimer, 1985.
1 folded sheet: col. ill.; 15 x 85 cm. (Little Big Books)
ISBN 0888628196
(English edition of Le potager)
Hébert Luée. Written by Bertrand Gauthier; illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay. Montréal: Les éditions la courte échelle, 1980.
48 p.: col. ill.; 28 cm.
ISBN 2890210227 (pbk.)
Hou Ilva. Written by Bertrand Gauthier; illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay. Montréal: Le Tamanoir, c1976.
32 p.: col. ill.; 28 cm. (Collection de l'étoile filante)
ISBN 0885700082
Julia et le chef des Pois. Written by Christiane Duchesne; illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay. Montréal: Québec/Amérique, c1997.
57 p.: ill.; 18 cm. (Mini-bilbo; 2)
ISBN 2890378209
Lapin bleu. Written and illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay. Saint-Lambert, Québec: Héritage, c1993.
32 p.: col. ill.; 24 x 30 cm. (Héritage jeunesse)
ISBN 2762573637
(French translation of Rabbit Blue)
The Last Piece of Sky. Written by Tim Wynne-Jones; illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay. Toronto: A Groundwood Book, Douglas & McIntyre, 1993.
32 p.: col. ill.; 27 cm.
ISBN 0888991819
Lizzy's Lion. Written by Dennis Lee; illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay. Toronto: Stoddart, 1993, c1984.
30 p.: col. ill.; 25 cm.
ISBN 0773673970
Maddie Goes to Paris. Written by Louise Leblanc; translated by Sarah Cummins; illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay. Halifax: Formac, 1994, c1993.
61 p.: ill.; 19 cm. (First Novel; FN 15)
ISBN 0887802788 (pbk.)
ISBN 0887802796 (bound)
(English edition of Sophie part en voyage)
Maddie in Danger. Written by Louise Leblanc; translated by Sarah Cummins; illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay. Halifax: Formac, 1995.
62 p.: ill.; 19 cm. (First Novel; FN 18)
ISBN 0887803067 (pbk.)
ISBN 0887803075 (bound)
(English edition of Sophie est en danger)
Maddie in Goal. Written by Louise Leblanc; translated by Sarah Cummins; illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay. Halifax: Formac, 1992.
60 p.: ill.; 19 cm. (First Novel; FN 8)
ISBN 0887802028 (pbk.)
ISBN 0887802036 (bound)
(English edition of Sophie lance et compte)
Maddie in Hospital. Written by Louise Leblanc; translated by Sarah Cummins; illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay. Halifax: Formac, 1996.
58 p.: ill.; 19 cm. (First Novel; 22)
ISBN 0887803741 (pbk.)
ISBN 088780375X (bound)
(English edition of Sophie fait des folies)
Maddie Wants Music. Written by Louise Leblanc; translated by Sarah Cummins; illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay. Halifax: Formac, 1993.
61 p.: ill.; 18 cm. (First Novel; 10)
ISBN 0887802192 (pbk.)
ISBN 0887802206 (bound)
(English edition of Ça va mal pour Sophie)
Mademoiselle Lune. Written and illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay; translated by Christiane Duchesne. Saint-Lambert, Québec: Héritage, c1992.
32 p.: col. ill.; 24 x 30 cm. (Héritage jeunesse)
ISBN 2762525845
(French edition of Mademoiselle Moon)
Mademoiselle Moon. Written and illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay. Toronto: Stoddart, 1992.
26 p.: col. ill.; 24 x 30 cm.
ISBN 0773726535
Magie d'un jour de pluie. Written and illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay. Saint-Lambert, Québec: Héritage, c1986.
32 p.: col. ill.; 23 cm.
ISBN 2762525780
(French edition of Rainy Day Magic)
Midnight Mimi. Written and illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay. Toronto: Stoddart, 1994.
32 p.: col. ill.; 23 cm.
ISBN 0773728155
Mimi-la-nuit. Written and illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay. Saint-Lambert, Québec: Héritage, 1994.
32 p.: col. ill.; 23 cm. (Héritage jeunesse)
ISBN 2762577772
(French edition of Midnight Mimi)
Monsieur Soleil. Written by Lucie Papineau; illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay. Saint-Lambert, Québec: Dominique et compagnie, 1997.
61 p.: col. ill.; 18 cm. (Collection Carrousel; 27)
ISBN 2762585899
Moonbeam on a Cat's Ear. Written and illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay. Toronto: Stoddart, 1992, c1986.
30 p.: col. ill.; 22 cm.
ISBN 0773673652
Pas encore des légumes! Written by Don Gillmor; translated by Christiane Duchesne; illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay. Saint-Lambert, Québec: Héritage, c1994.
32 p.: col. ill.; 29 cm.
ISBN 276257773X
(French edition of When Vegetables Go Bad!)
Le Potager. Illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay. Sillery, Québec: Ovale, 1985.
1 folded sheet: col. ill.; 15 x 85 cm. (Plimage)
ISBN 2891860519
Qui a peur de Loulou?: théâtre. Written and illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay. Montréal: vlb, 1994.
105 p.: ill.; 23 cm.
(Collection Théâtre pour enfants; 12e)
ISBN 2890055728
Rabbit Blue. Written and illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay. Toronto: Stoddart, 1993.
31 p.: col. ill.; 24 x 30 cm.
ISBN 0773727507
Rainy Day Magic. Written and illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay. Toronto: Stoddart, 1992, c1987.
32 p.: col. ill.; 22 cm.
ISBN 0773673660
Rumpelstiltskin. Illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay. Toronto: A Groundwood Book, Douglas & McIntyre, 1997.
30 p.: col. ill.; 26 cm.
ISBN 0888992793
La Soeur de Robert. Written and illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay. Montréal: Les éditions la courte échelle, 1983.
22 p.: col. ill.; 22 cm.
ISBN 2890210383
Sophie devient sage... Written by Louise Leblanc; illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay. Montréal: Les éditions la courte échelle, 1997.
p.: ill., 18 cm. (Premier roman; PR 61)
ISBN 289021298X
Sophie est en danger. Illustrated by Louise Leblanc; illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay. Montréal: Les éditions la courte échelle, c1994.
62 p.: ill.; 18 cm. (Premier roman; PR 34)
ISBN 2890212122
Sophie fait des folies. Written by Louise Leblanc; illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay. Montréal: Les éditions la courte échelle, c1995.
60 p.: ill.; 18 cm. (Premier roman; PR 44)
ISBN 2890212440
Sophie lance et compte. Written and illustrated by Louise Leblanc; illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay. Montréal: Les éditions la courte échelle, 1991.
62 p.: ill.; 18 cm. (Premier roman; PR 22)
ISBN 2890211584
Sophie part en voyage. Written by Louise Leblanc; illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay. Montréal: Les éditions la courte échelle, c1993.
63 p.: ill.; 18 cm. (Premier roman; PR 31)
ISBN 2890211959
Sophie vit un cauchemar. Written by Louise Leblanc; illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay. Montréal: Les éditions la courte échelle, c1996.
60 p.: ill.; 18 cm. (Premier roman; PR 52)
ISBN 289021267X
That's Enough, Maddie. Written by Louise Leblanc; translated by Sarah Cummins; illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay. Halifax: Formac, 1991, c1990.
57 p.: ill.; 19 cm. (First Novel; PR 3)
ISBN 0887800904 (pbk.)
ISBN 0887800912 (bound)
(English edition of Ca suffit, Sophie)
La Vache et d'autres animaux. Written by Michel Rivard and others; illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay and others. Montréal: Les éditions la courte échelle, 1982.
22 p.: col. ill.; 22 cm.
ISBN 2890210316
Voyage au clair de lune. Written and illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay. Saint-Lambert, Québec: Héritage, c1986.
32 p.: col. ill.; 23 cm.
ISBN 2762525713
(French edition of Moonbeam on a Cat's Ear)
When Vegetables Go Bad! Written by Don Gillmor; illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay. Toronto: Doubleday Canada, c1994.
32 p.: col. ill.; 29 cm.
ISBN 0385254512
ISBN 0385255543 (pbk.)
Willy Nilly. Written and illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay. Toronto: Stoddart, 1995, c1990.
30 p.: col. ill.; 22 cm.
ISBN 0773674330
(Adaptation of the puppet play Bonne fête Willy)
Books for Adults
Hands On: A Media Resource Book for Teachers. Written by Anne Taylor; illustrated by Marie-Louise Gay. Montreal: National Film Board of Canada, 1977.
150 p.: ill.; 28 x 36 cm.
ISBN 0772200009
Books about Marie-Louise Gay
Rencontrons l'écrivain/artiste Marie-Louise Gay [kit]. Toronto: School Services of Canada, c1991.
1 teacher's guide, 1 videocassette; in a container, 25 x 17 x 5 cm.
Prepared 14.03.97
Revised 30.10.97
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