Mike Curato - Author & Illustrator

I met Mike at my first "real" job after college, at Cranium (we made games, books, and toys, and Mike famously once drew me into a puzzle holding a hotdog).

Mike is the author and illustrator of several award winning books for kids, teens and adults. His most recent graphic novel, Gaysians, won the 2026 GLAAD Award for Original Graphic Novel/Anthology.

And all of my kids' friends are obsessed with his kids books, starting with Little Elliot Big City.

More about Mike:

Mike Curato is an author and illustrator of books for children, teens, and adults. He is best known for his Little Elliot picture book series and his young adult graphic novel, Flamer, which received several honors including the 2020 Lambda Literary Award for LGBTQ Young Adult, the 2021 Massachusetts Book Award for Young Adult, and was listed as one of NPR’s Best Books of 2020. Flamer also has the distinction of being one of the most banned and challenged books in the United States, and Mike has become a fierce advocate of free speech. He continues to create books that center love, compassion, and friendship. Mike’s debut adult graphic novel, Gaysians, released in June of 2025 to critical acclaim.

Original artwork is available for sale from R Michelson Gallery.