Gracey Zhang is a freelance illustrator and animator. She was born and raised in Vancouver, BC. Zhang earned a BFA from the Rhode Island School of Design, and now lives in New York City. She created a couple of comics or zines including Golden and Six Months prior to making her debut as a writer and illustrator of the picture book Lala’s Words.
Fiction (Comic/Zine)
Golden
: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform, 2016.
Synopsis (From the creator’s website)
A little picture book into the magical world of Porto at night.
Fiction (Juvenile, Picture book)
Lala’s Words
Written and illustrated by Gracey Zhang.
New York: Orchard Books, 2021.
PZ7.1.Z43 L34 2021
Publisher’s Synopsis (From its website)
Oh, there goes Lala! She carries a pot of water around the corner, down the block, and over the fence, to a patch of dirt and concrete where tiny weeds sprout. “Hello, hello, friends!” she whispers. Lala waters the plants every day, but it is her kind words that make them sway and nod.
Lala’s wild nature and quiet compassion enchant in this evergreen story about the power of kind words and the magic of being loved for who you are.
Awards and Honours
2022 Marilyn Baillie Picture Book Award (Finalist)
Fiction (Juvenile, Picture book)
When Rubin Plays
New York: Orchard Books, 2023.
PZ7.1.Z43 W54 2023
Publisher’s Synopsis (From its website)
Rubin loves the beautiful sounds that are played by the orchestra. He wants to learn to play the violin and make his own music. But when Rubin plays, it doesn’t sound like he imagines it should. Rubin goes into the forest to practice alone and despite only getting the violin to screech, he finds an unlikely audience that loves his unique style.
In another inspiring and lyrical picture book that deftly dives into the psyche and heart of a child’s viewpoint and experience, the creator of Lala’s Words, Gracey Zhang, offers confidence to everyone who longs to master something that can be difficult and shows that there is only one way to do something right: that is to do it your own special way.