Kelly Murphy

Murphy was born in Boston, Massachusetts and raised in southeastern Massachusetts.{{Cite web|title=Kelly Murphy|url=http://www.cricketmagkids.com/corner/kelly-murphy|access-date=2020-11-07|website=www.cricketmagkids.com|language=en}} She attended the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) in Providence, Rhode Island.{{citation|title=Interview With Illustrator Kelly Murphy|date=November 17, 2009|url=https://rubywinkle.wordpress.com/2009/11/17/interview-with-illustrator-kelly-murphy/|publisher=Ruby Winkle|access-date=2009-11-17}} Her student work receiving distinction from the Society of Illustrators of New York. After graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in illustration in 1999, Murphy started a freelance career as an editorial and children's books illustrator.

She wrote and illustrated her first picture book, The Boll Weevil Ball, in 2002{{Cite web|title=The Boll Weevil Ball book signing at the Danforth Museum of Art|url=http://www.danforthmuseum.org/kelly_murphy.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180827005326/http://www.danforthmuseum.org/kelly_murphy.html|archive-date=2018-08-27|access-date=2014-03-17}} and has since illustrated more than 50 books for children, including stories written by authors Dave Eggers,{{Cite web|title=Faraway Things + Interview with Dave Eggers|url=https://www.averyandaugustine.com/blog/2021/8/5/faraway-things-interview/|access-date=2021-09-02|website=www.averyandaugustine.com|date=5 August 2021 |language=en}} J. Patrick Lewis, Linda Sue Park, Richard Peck, Beatrix Potter and Jane Yolen.{{citation | title=Bookshelf: Boo! | author=Pamela Paul| work=The New York Times | date= October 14, 2011 | url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/10/16/books/review/bookshelf-boo.html | access-date=2020-11-24 }} Murphy has also created artwork for theater,{{Cite web|title=Poster designs for past productions of Shakespeare on the Sound|url=http://www.shakespeareonthesound.org/shakespeare_layout_1/Past_Productions.html#9|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120414181414/http://www.shakespeareonthesound.org/shakespeare_layout_1/Past_Productions.html#9|archive-date=2012-04-14|access-date=2010-08-30}} film and animation, including character designs for the Sesame Workshop animated show Esme & Roy on HBO, and the 2013 documentary Muscle Shoals.{{IMDb title|2492916|Muscle Shoals}}

She has taught at the Massachusetts College of Art and Design and Montserrat College of Art, and is a faculty member of the Rhode Island School of Design.{{Cite web|date=2012-05-16|title=Kelly Ann Murphy|url=https://www.highlightsfoundation.org/257/kelly-ann-murphy/|access-date=2020-11-07|website=Highlights Foundation|language=en-US}}

In 2009 Murphy earned an E.B. White Read Aloud Award[http://theabfc.wordpress.com/the-eb-white-read-aloud-awards/past-eb-white-award-winners/#2009 Winner of the 2009 E.B. White Read Aloud Award for Picture Books] for illustrating the New York Times Best Seller[https://www.nytimes.com/best-sellers-books/2010-06-06/paperback-books/list.html The New York Times Best Sellers List: Children's Paperback Books] Masterpiece, written by Elise Broach. She subsequently illustrated books in a companion series for younger readers, The Masterpiece Adventures, by the same author.

In 2019 All the Greys on Greene Street, written by Laura Tucker and illustrated by Murphy, was distinguished as a best book of the year by The New York Times,[https://www.nytimes.com/2019/12/02/books/review/best-childrens-books.html The 25 Best Children’s Books of 2019 - The New York Times] Kirkus Reviews,[https://www.kirkusreviews.com/lists/best-middle-grade-historical-fiction-of-2019/all-the-greys-on-greene-street/ Kirkus Best Middle Grade Historical Fiction of 2019] BookPage[https://bookpage.com/features/24665-best-books-2019-middle-grade#.XeZ-uOhKhaS BookPage Feature Best Books of 2019: Middle Grade] and Publishers Weekly.[https://best-books.publishersweekly.com/pw/best-books/2019/middle-grade Best Books 2019: Middle Grade Publishers Weekly]

Murphy was one of 5 artists whose work was exhibited in the 18th Annual Children's Book Illustrators' Show & Signing at the Chemers Gallery in Tustin, CA in 2009.[http://chemersgallery.blogspot.com/2009/10/18th-annual-childrens-book-illustrators.html Chemers Gallery 18th Annual Children's Book Illustrators' Show & Signing]

Murphy's original art was exhibited in the 2010 Children's Book Illustrators Exhibition at the Brush Art Gallery & Studios, with fellow RISD alumni illustrators Christopher Bing, David Macaulay and David Wiesner.{{citation | title=Illustrators draw a crowd | author=Mark Shanahan & Meredith Goldstein| publisher=The Boston Globe | date= October 5, 2010 | url=http://www.boston.com/ae/celebrity/articles/2010/10/05/illustrators_draw_a_crowd/ | access-date=2010-10-05 }}

Murphy's work has been exhibited at the Museum of American Illustration in New York City, NY.[http://www.societyillustrators.org/At-the-Museum/2011/Illustrators-53-Book-and-Editorial/Illustrators-53--Book-and-Editorial-Categories--Featured-Artist.aspx Society of Illustrators Book and Editorial Exhibit: Featured Artists]

In 2012, Murphy's work received a Gold Award in the Illustration West 50 competition and was exhibited at the Gallery Nucleus in Alhambra, California.[http://www.gallerynucleus.com/detail/13597 50th Annual Illustration West Exhibition at Gallery Nucleus] Murphy was also chosen from RISD's illustrious alumni as one of the artists featured in RISD ICONS: A Legacy of Illustration from the Rhode Island School of Design{{Cite web |url=http://www.theillustrationconference.org/blog/youre-invited |title=RISD ICONS: A Legacy of Illustration from the Rhode Island School of Design featured artists |access-date=2012-06-03 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121221091851/http://www.theillustrationconference.org/blog/youre-invited |archive-date=2012-12-21 |url-status=dead }} exhibit at the Woods Gerry Gallery.

In 2014, Murphy was a keynote speaker at the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators 2014 Writers & Illustrators Working Conference in Austin, Texas.[https://austin.scbwi.org/events/2014-writers-illustrators-working-conference-2/ Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators 2014 Writers & Illustrators Working Conference]

Murphy is one of the illustrators and authors presenting at the Lincoln School's 2018 Rhode Island Festival of Children's Books and Authors.[https://www.lincolnschool.org/life-at-lincoln/rhode-island-festival-of-childrens-books-and-authors 2018 Rhode Island Festival of Children's Books and Authors]{{citation | title=Providence's Lincoln School to host Rhode Island Festival of Children's Books and Authors | author=Kathie Raleigh| publisher=The Providence Journal | date= October 10, 2018 | url=https://www.providencejournal.com/entertainmentlife/20181010/providences-lincoln-school-to-host-rhode-island-festival-of-childrens-books-and-authors | access-date=2020-11-09 }}

• Masterpiece (2008, Illustrator, written by Elise Broach)
• Flight of the Phoenix (Nathaniel Fludd, Beastologist, Book 1) (2009, Illustrator, written by R. L. LaFevers)
• The Basilisk's Lair (Nathaniel Fludd, Beastologist, Book 2) (2010, Illustrator, written by R. L. LaFevers)
• The Wyverns' Treasure (Nathaniel Fludd, Beastologist, Book 3) (2010, Illustrator, written by R. L. LaFevers)
• Haunted Houses (Are You Scared Yet?) (2010, Co-illustrated with Antoine Revoy, written by Robert D. San Souci)
• The Unicorn's Tale (Nathaniel Fludd, Beastologist, Book 4) (2011, Illustrator, written by R. L. LaFevers)
• Secrets at Sea (2011, Illustrator, written by Richard Peck)
• Alex and the Amazing Time Machine (2012, Illustrator, written by Rich Cohen)
• The Scorpions of Zahir (2012, Illustrator, written by Christine Brodien-Jones)
• Behind the Bookcase (2012, Illustrator, written by Mark Steensland)
• The Mouse with the Question Mark Tail (2013, Illustrator, written by Richard Peck)
• Anton and Cecil: Cats at Sea (2013, Illustrator, written by Lisa and Valerie Martin)
• The Miniature World of Marvin and James (2014, Illustrator, written by Elise Broach)
• The Wollstonecraft Detective Agency, Book 1: The Case of the Missing Moonstone (2015, Illustrator, written by Jordan Stratford)
• James to the Rescue (2015, Illustrator, written by Elise Broach)
• The Door by the Staircase (2016, Illustrator, written by Katherine Marsh)
• The Wollstonecraft Detective Agency, Book 2: The Case of the Girl in Grey (2016, Illustrator, written by Jordan Stratford)
• Anton and Cecil: Cats Aloft (2016, Illustrator, written by Lisa and Valerie Martin)
• The Wollstonecraft Detective Agency, Book 3: The Case of the Counterfeit Criminals (2017, Illustrator, written by Jordan Stratford)
• Trouble at School for Marvin & James (2017, Illustrator, written by Elise Broach)
• A Properly Unhaunted Place (2017, Illustrator, written by William Alexander)
• The Wollstonecraft Detective Agency, Book 4: The Case of the Perilous Palace (2018, Illustrator, written by Jordan Stratford)
• A Festival of Ghosts (2018, Illustrator, written by William Alexander)
• All The Greys on Greene Street (2019, Illustrator, written by Laura Tucker)
• A Trip to the Country for Marvin & James (2020, Illustrator, written by Elise Broach)
• Happily for Now (2021, Illustrator, written by Kelly Jones)
• Ginny Off the Map (2023, Illustrator, written by Caroline Hickey)
• Bulldozer and Friends Vol 1: Bulldozer's Big Rescue (2025, Illustrator, written by Elise Broach)

• The Boll Weevil Ball (2002)
• A Place To Grow (2002, Illustrator, written by Stephanie Bloom)
• Loony Little (2003, Illustrator, written by Dianna Hutts Aston)
• Dancing Matilda (2004, Illustrator, written by Sarah Hager)
• Good Babies (2005, Illustrator, written by Tim Myers)
• Fiona's Luck (2007, Illustrator, written by Teresa Bateman)
• Gallop-O-Gallop (2007, Illustrator, written by Sandra Alonso)
• Hush, Little Dragon (2008, Illustrator, written by Boni Ashburn)
• The Peach Boy (2009, Illustrator, written by Alex Frith)
• Brand-New Baby Blues (2009, Illustrator, written by Kathi Appelt)
• Over At The Castle (2009, Illustrator, written by Boni Ashburn)
• Creepy Monsters, Sleepy Monsters (2011, Illustrator, written by Jane Yolen)
• Face Bug (2013, Illustrator, written by J. Patrick Lewis, photographs by Fred Siskind)
• Romping Monsters, Stomping Monsters (2013, Illustrator, written by Jane Yolen)
• The Slowest Book Ever (2016, Illustrator, written by April Pulley Sayre)
• Together We Grow (2020, Illustrator, written by Susan Vaught){{citation | title=Booklist Starred Review for Together We Grow | author=Maryann Owen| publisher=Booklist | date= March 15, 2020 | url=https://www.booklistonline.com/Together-We-Grow-Susan-Vaught/pid=9730745 | access-date=2023-08-09 }}
• Faraway Things (2021, Illustrator, written by Dave Eggers){{citation | title=School Library Journal Starred Review for Faraway Things | author=Mary Lanni| publisher=School Library Journal | date= January 1, 2021 | url=https://www.booklistonline.com/Together-We-Grow-Susan-Vaught/pid=9730745 | access-date=2023-08-09 }}
• Dakota Crumb: Tiny Treasure Hunter (2021, Illustrator, written by Jamie Michalak)
• Dakota Crumb and the Secret Bookshop: A Tiny Treasure Hunt (2023, Illustrator, written by Jamie Michalak)
• Goat Is The G.O.A.T. (2025, Illustrator, written by Bea Birdsong)

{{Reflist}}

• [http://www.kelmurphy.com/ Kelly Murphy's official website]
• [http://us.macmillan.com/author/kellymurphy Kelly Murphy on the Macmillan's Authors page]
• [http://www.hmhco.com/bookstore/authors/Kelly-Murphy/2249019 Kelly Murphy on Houghton Mifflin Harcourt's Illustrator page]
• [https://www.simonandschuster.net/authors/Kelly-Murphy/400464466 Kelly Murphy | Official Publisher Page | Simon & Schuster]
• {{IMDb name|1448760|Kelly Murphy}}

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Category:Living people

Category:People from Boston

Category:Rhode Island School of Design alumni

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Category:American illustrators

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Category:American children's writers

Category:American children's book illustrators

Category:Writers who illustrated their own writing

Category:1977 births

Category:Montserrat College of Art faculty

Category:Massachusetts College of Art and Design faculty

Category:American women academics

Category:21st-century American women