Biography

Author & Illustrator • Hoboken, New Jersey

About Patricia Keeler

I’m a Christopher Medal winning children’s book illustrator and author who has always loved to draw people. I especially like to go en plein air sketching in the city. After beginning my career in children’s picture books, I’ve now pivoted into graphic novels for young adults.

Among my published books, my favorites include SCOOP THE ICE CREAM TRUCK (Sky Pony Press), LIZZIE AND LOU SEAL (Sky Pony Press), and DRUMBEAT IN OUR FEET (Lee and Low Books).

Through my work in children’s literature, I’ve won the New York Book Festival, President’s Award for Books/Florida and have received a Skipping Stones Book Award. More than 100,000 copies of CAR WASH, Lee and Low/Bebop paperback books are in print. The original watercolor illustrations from DRUMBEAT IN OUR FEET (Lee and Low Books) can be seen in the Kerlan Collection at the University of Minnesota.

I live with my husband in Hoboken, New Jersey, and love to play music with my friends.

Patricia makes graphic novels in Hoboken, New Jersey.

Represented by www.lizaroyce.com

Awards & Recognition

Medal Awarded

The Christopher Medal

Awarded for her illustrations in WOULD YOU STILL LOVE ME IF, alongside recipients such as the writers of Toy Story and Laura Hillenbrand.

1st Place • Children's Books

New York Book Festival

First Place winner in the Children’s Books category, celebrating exceptional storytelling and visual narrative.

Honor Winner

Skipping Stones Book Award

Recognized for promoting multicultural awareness and culturally rich storytelling in children's literature.

1st Place Winner

President's Award for Books / Florida

Awarded First Place by the Florida Authors & Publishers Association for her picture book LIZZIE AND LOU SEAL.

Additional Honors, Archives & Critical Acclaim

Best Overall Purple Dragonfly Award winner with over 100,000 copies of her Lee & Low / Bebop paperbacks in print • The Kerlan Collection: Original watercolor illustrations for DRUMBEAT IN OUR FEET permanently archived at the University of Minnesota • National Reviews: Featured in The New York Times Book Review, Kirkus, School Library Journal, Booklist, and The Horn Book (Junior Library Guild & Children's Book-of-the-Month Club selection).