Mary GrandPré

Mary GrandPré is an American illustrator and artist best known for her work on the cover art and chapter illustrations of the Harry Potter book series. Born in 1954 in South Dakota, GrandPré grew up in Minnesota and received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. She started her career as a graphic designer before transitioning to illustration. In the late 1990s, GrandPré was commissioned to create cover art for the American editions of the Harry Potter book series by author J.K. Rowling and publisher Scholastic. She went on to create iconic illustrations for all seven books, including the distinctive lettering of the title and the images of Harry, Ron, and Hermione that are instantly recognizable to fans of the series. In addition to her work on the Harry Potter books, GrandPré has illustrated many other children's books, including "Plum Fantastic" by Liz Garton Scanlon, "The Noisy Paint Box" by Barb Rosenstock, and "In the Shade of the Nispero Tree" by Carmen T. Bernier-Grand. She has also written and illustrated her own books, such as "Clever Beatrice" and "The Bunny, the Egg, and the Big Surprise".

GrandPré's work has received numerous awards and accolades over the years, including the Caldecott Honor and the Gold Medal from the Society of Illustrators. Her art is characterized by its vivid colors, whimsical characters, and dynamic composition, which bring to life the stories she illustrates. Outside of her art, GrandPré is known for her passion for yoga and meditation, which she credits with helping her stay centered and focused in her creative work. She currently lives in Sarasota, Florida, where she continues to create art and inspire young readers and artists around the world.