Maurice Grimaud French Children’s Book Illustrator
As often is the case, I find a wonderful artist and then can find very little information about them or their life. All I know is Maurice Grimaud was most fondly remembered for a series of mini books, called ‘I want to read’, that were used in French Primary Schools in the late 1960s. The 4 mini-books were entitled George’s red bike, Cécile and his dog, Gilberte and his doll and Guita & The Four Seasons.
His work reminds me a little of another French Illustrator Alain Grée. Because that is all I know about Maurice, I will leave you to browse his charming illustrations and let me know your thoughts at the end.
There’s a beautiful sense of time stopping and allowing our eyes to wander into his landscapes without having to rush. I love his slightly subdued colour palette too.
His work definitely looks like it’s from another era. It’s well observed and thoughtful and I feel that he either had a very creative imagination, or he spent a lot of time sketching within the community, documenting all that he saw go on around him.
There is also a series of illustrations featuring singing Cicadas !
His adult book covers look like this.
If anyone knows anymore information about this talented author, please drop me a line to let me know. Thank you.
fishinkblog.com 
This is so fantastic! I am in love with these illustrations – thank you so much for introducing me to yet another amazing artist!
You are most welcome
Thanks for another interesting post Craig. I had not come across Grimaud before. There is not really any biographical info that I have found either.
I use various library references when researching including the Bibliothèque nationale de France:
https://catalogue.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/cb41868462t
In case you are wondering about Sidonie Cigale she is a cicada (not a flea). 🙂
Thanks for checking too, also for correcting my wrongful Cicada referencing OOPS !
I always love your posts, this illustrator´s work is such a joy to look at.
Thanks Nathalie
I was born in 1966 and I learned how to read with the «Je veux lire» method. It came as two volumes used at school while the four minibooks featuring the same characters were meant to be read by pupils on their own once they had acquired the necessary skills. Posters were also available. You might want to check another series illustrated by Maurice Grimaud titled «Tit’Pom’» («Little Apple»), I’m sure you’ll enjoy it.
Thank you Philippe for the interesting info. Most appreciated.