Marie-Laure Couët – Designer

Hailing from Québec City, Marie-Laure is a mixed media illustrator and designer with a love of collage, found objects, and chickens. When she isn't working on picture book illustrations she is empowering other illustrators and forging community as the Illustrator Coordinator for the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, Canada East.

Before illustration, Marie-Laure ran an award-winning cheesemaking company in Massachusetts, U.S.A. and tended a dozen laying hens. The hens have been replaced by two human babies and, while the babies don't offer any eggs, they do provide Marie-Laure with all the snuggles necessary. And more than enough boogers.

You can reach out to Marie-Laure in French, English, and even in rudimentary Spanish.

What To Expect:

- Deep dive of your manuscript; I am here to tell your story, distill your needs, and create a tailored visual language that elevates your words.

- Thorough research phase

- Extensive discussion before and during storyboarding

- Meticulous and joyful implementation of design in illustration

AWARDS & TESTIMONIALS:

READER'S FAVORITE ILLUSTRATION AWARD 2026:

"The illustrations by Marie-Laure are vibrant and full of warmth, making each page feel like you just stepped into a child’s colorful dream... Sometimes, all you need is to open your heart to the simple moments happening right around you every day."

KIRKUS REVIEW AWARDS & ACCOLADES "GET IT" 2026:

Marie-Laure's "watercolor-style illustrations drive the story, offering beautiful, sweeping landscapes of butterflies flying over a body of water and endearing close-ups of the children examining insects. A sweet tale of childhood with lovely images."

TIELMOUR PRESS, Jon Seymour 2025:

"THESE ARE AMAZING!!! You've gone above and beyond what we were anticipating for this project ! And the colour palette is so perfect! Thank you so much for all of your hard work! Honestly, [we] are SO excited for this title!! Your art has made this story so much more than we could have hoped!!"

Design client, Rachel Blessington 2021:

"I absolutely recommend Marie-Laure, working with her is an absolute JOY! She is professional, experienced and intuitive. Her designs are deeply intentional, each aspect is meaningful. Her ability to translate others’ ideas and identities into visual and interactive art... masterful!"