About Emilie

Born in the Netherlands, I spent most of my childhood in California and Mexico. It was during the ten years living in Mexico that I discovered my artistic eye and love of color. I graduated from high school in Mexico City, and returned to Holland to study at the Royal Academy of Art at The Hague. Here I developed my signature crayon and watercolor technique.

After graduating with a degree in graphic design, I moved to London, where I had the opportunity to work with wonderful editors and wrote and illustrated my first two children’s books. I’ve worked both as an illustrator and author/illustrator and published over 20 books. My books have been translated into Japanese, French, Norwegian, Swedish, Finnish, Dutch and Spanish. 

Each year I visit many elementary schools teaching young children about the process of writing and illustrating picture books. I also teach workshops and conduct picture book making classes for children.  Besides teaching young children, I’ve taught at RISD (CE) and am inspired by my students work no matter what age! I make my home in the Boston area and have a studio in an old mill filled with fabulous artists and designers. Hope you'll take my studio tour!

Trade Publishers

Candlewick Press

Cartwheel Books

D.K. Publishers

Knopf

Orchard Books

Puffin Books

Random House

Sleeping Bear Press

Sterling Publishing

Zonderkidz