Leanne Franson facts for kids

Leanne Franson (born in 1963) is a Canadian illustrator and cartoonist. She was born in Regina, Saskatchewan, and now lives near Saskatoon. She is known for drawing pictures for children's books, novels, and magazines.

Franson is also famous for her comic series about a character named Liliane. These comics, which she started creating in the 1990s, tell stories from a unique point of view. They became popular in the independent comic scene.

Franson speaks both English and French. She has an adopted son from China and two cats named Sadie and Alley.

Early Life and Schooling

Growing up, Leanne Franson loved reading comics. She especially enjoyed the Betty and Veronica comic books. She also spent a lot of time at the library.

In 1982, she moved to Montreal to study Fine Arts at Concordia University. She graduated in 1985. While in school, she started drawing her own comics. She also studied ceramics, which is the art of making things from clay.

Franson began her career as a professional illustrator in 1991. She created drawings for both educational books and storybooks.

Career in Comics and Illustration

Franson is well-known for creating the comic character Liliane. Liliane is an illustrator, just like Franson. The comics explore different topics about life and relationships. The drawing style is simple, but the stories cover important subjects.

Franson was inspired by the simple art of cartoonist Ben Wicks. She also admired the characters created by Lynne Johnston. In 1994, Franson moved to London, England, to learn more about the international comic scene.

Children's Book Illustrator

Today, Franson mainly works as a children's book illustrator. She has illustrated nearly 80 books for Canadian publishers in both English and French. Her work has also appeared in magazines and textbooks.

When she creates her art, Franson first sketches with a pencil. Then, she uses special pens and ink to finalize the drawing. She sometimes uses a digital drawing tablet to add color and details.

Return to Ceramics

In 2016, Franson started making ceramic art again in her home studio. She works with different types of clay, like stoneware and porcelain. She enjoys building small pieces by hand and also uses a potter's wheel.

Awards and Recognition

In 1997, Franson was a finalist for a Governor General's Award. This is one of Canada's most important awards for arts and literature. She was recognized for her illustrations in the book L'Ourson qui voulait une Juliette.

Her comic art was also featured in an exhibition called "She Draws Comics." This art show traveled to cities in Europe and the United States between 2002 and 2006.

Selected Books Illustrated by Franson

Leanne Franson has illustrated many books for children. Here are a few examples.

In French

• Marélie de la mer (1993)
• L'ourson qui voulait une Juliette (1997)
• Simon et Violette (2001)
• Le chien de Léopold (2006)
• Le petit maître (2010)
• Les pierres d'Emma (2012)

In English

• Ghost From the Sea (1995)
• The Girl Who Hated Books (1998)
• The Thumb in The Box (2001)
• It's a Baby, Andy Russel! (2005)
• Canadian Flyer Adventures #11: Far From Home (2008)
• Princesses Don't Wear Jeans (2015)
• Emma's Gems (2019)