Hi! I'm Laurie Stein, a character designer and illustrator living in Toronto, Canada. I have designed and illustrated over a hundred children's books, developed characters for animation studios and apps, licensed artwork for cards, puzzles, fabrics, mugs, advertising, and magazines. When I'm not drawing, I teach cartooning and painting, volunteer with Art for Cancer, and paint on canvas. I love collaborating with authors and studios to bring stories to life.…

Laurie Stein

Hi! I'm Laurie Stein, a character designer and illustrator living in Toronto, Canada. I have designed and illustrated over a hundred children's books, developed characters for animation studios and apps, licensed artwork for cards, puzzles, fabrics, mugs, advertising, and magazines. When I'm not drawing, I teach cartooning and painting, volunteer with Art for Cancer, and paint on canvas. I love collaborating with authors and studios to bring stories to life.…

Available to hire

Hi! I’m Laurie Stein, a character designer and illustrator living in Toronto, Canada. I have designed and illustrated over a hundred children’s books, developed characters for animation studios and apps, licensed artwork for cards, puzzles, fabrics, mugs, advertising, and magazines. When I’m not drawing, I teach cartooning and painting, volunteer with Art for Cancer, and paint on canvas. I love collaborating with authors and studios to bring stories to life.

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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Teacher - Cartoon and painting classes at Artbarn Art School, Toronto, Canada
January 1, 2021 - Present
Conducting cartoon and painting classes for children, sharing foundational and creative drawing skills in a fun and engaging environment.
Represented Artist for Licensed Products at Suzanne Cruise Creative Agency
December 1, 2019 - Present
Represented by the agency for licensing artwork for various products including cards, puzzles, fabric, and mugs.
Character Designer at Special Sauce Entertainment
December 1, 2018 - Present
Designed characters for a preschool TV animated show broadcasted on PBS in the United States.
Picture Book Designer and Illustrator at Tilbury House Publishers
March 3, 2020 - August 28, 2025
Designed and illustrated the children's picture book 'When Earth Shook' released on March 3rd, 2020.
Freelance License Designer - Character Designs at Triland Canada
September 1, 2019 - August 28, 2025
Created character designs for seasonal paper products under freelance license agreements.
Character Studies Artist at Portfolio Entertainment
May 1, 2018 - August 28, 2025
Developed character studies for a new preschool TV show in the US.
Art Teacher - Drawing and Painting at Avenue Road Art School / Montessouri School
December 1, 2018 - August 28, 2025
Taught children drawing and painting classes twice monthly.
Hospital Artist and Muralist at Sick Kids Hospital, Toronto
January 1, 2003 - Present
Created painted pieces and 3D installations for multiple departments including a mural designed for the emergency waiting room measuring 8’ high by 38’ wide. Artwork spans departments such as Plastic Surgery, Urology, Bloodwork, General Surgery, Dentistry, and others, ongoing since 2003.
Children’s Book Illustrator at Various Educational Publishers
January 1, 1985 - Present
Illustrated over 100 children’s books for educational publishers such as Scholastic, Nelson, Pearson, and others. Designed and illustrated 26 children’s trade books showcased at international book fairs and translated into multiple languages.
Volunteer Designer at Mayfair Community Fundraiser, Toronto
January 1, 1993 - Present
Designs art and posters for the annual community fundraiser event.
Art Teacher - Primary School Children at Mooredale Community Centre and Whitney Public School
December 31, 2014 - August 27, 2025
Taught cartooning and drawing classes during lunch and after school for primary school children.
Cartoon and painting instructor at Artbarn Art School
January 1, 2021 - Present
Cartoon and painting classes for students.
Licensing Representative at Suzanne Cruise Creative Agency
December 1, 2019 - Present
Represented by agency for licensed products.
Illustrator at Tilbury House Publishers
March 3, 2020 - Present
Designed and illustrated picture book 'When Earth Shook' (published March 3, 2020).
Representative at Allied Artists Illustration Agency
January 1, 2024 - January 1, 2024
Represented by agency in UK for licensed products (until 2024).
Freelance Designer (License Design) at Triland Canada
September 1, 2018 - December 31, 2019
Characters for seasonal paper products.
Character Designer at Portfolio Entertainment (Minivers)
September 1, 2017 - May 31, 2018
Character studies for a new preschool TV show in the US.
Art Instructor at Avenue Road Art School
September 1, 2018 - December 31, 2018
Teaching children drawing and painting twice monthly at Montessouri School.
Volunteer Artist at Sick Kids Hospital
January 1, 2003 - Present
Created painted pieces and 3D installations for hospital walls and ceilings; mural for Emergency Waiting Room 8’ high by 38’ wide.
Freelance Illustrator at Various Magazines
January 1, 1990 - Present
Illustrated cover and inside art for Reader’s Digest, Canadian Living, Today’s Parent, Chickadee, Starweek, Now, etc.
Illustrator at Pow!Kids Books (Random Penguin)
December 4, 2018 - Present
Illustrated SPECTACULARLY BEAUTIFUL; earned a Kirkus Star and coverage in major reviews.
Illustrator/Author at Educational publishers (Scholastic, Nelson, Pearson, Prentice Hall, Addison Wesley, Houghton Mifflin)
January 1, 1985 - Present
Illustrated over 100 children's books; designed and illustrated 26 trade books; translations and international representation.
Volunteer Designer/Poster Designer at Mayfair (Toronto)
January 1, 1993 - Present
Volunteer designing art and posters for annual community fundraiser event.
Art Teacher at Mooredale Community Centre & Whitney Public School
January 1, 1996 - December 31, 2015
Taught art to primary school children lunchtime and after school; Cartooning, Learn to draw.

Education

AOCA in Communication and Design at Ontario College of Art (OCADU), Toronto Canada
January 1, 1981 - January 1, 1985
Degree in Classical Animation at Sheridan College, School of Animation, Oakville Ontario
June 1, 1983 - August 1, 1985
BA Economics at Western University, London Ontario
January 1, 1978 - January 1, 1981
AOCA in Communication and Design at Ontario College of Art (OCADU)
January 1, 1981 - December 31, 1985
Degree in Classical Animation at Sheridan College, School of Animation
January 1, 1983 - December 31, 1985
BA Economics at Western University
January 1, 1978 - December 31, 1981

Qualifications

Top Toy of the Year Award (Creative Child Awards) - 2017
January 1, 2017 - December 6, 2025
Kirkus Star
January 11, 2030 - December 6, 2025
New York Times Review
January 11, 2030 - December 6, 2025
Heather’s Pick
January 11, 2030 - December 6, 2025

Industry Experience

Education, Media & Entertainment, Healthcare, Non-Profit Organization, Retail, Professional Services, Other