Manuel Monroy was born in Mexico City in 1970.

A children's and editorial illustrator for over a decade, his working studio is like a lab, where he experiments with different techniques and materials, and which he shares with a lively entourage of sketchbooks, papercuts and notes about color.

His illustrations draw on a wealth of references from painting, as well as from everyday observation and experiences. Manuel is greatly influenced by objects he discovers while browsing around antique markets: he seeks to capture their history and culture in his art — but as a confrontation rather than in any nostalgic sense.

He has recently made four short animated films for a Mexican cultural TV channel. His work has been exhibited in Cuba, the Czeck Republic, Italy, Japan, Mexico, and the Netherlands. He has illustrated many children's books, which have been published in Mexico and/or Canada. He is both the author and illustrator of Rabieta Trebejos, a children's book which received the prestigious 'A la Orilla del Viento' Award, given by the Fondo de Cultura Económica, FCE, Mexico. He has also been awarded a NOMA Concours Encouragement Prize in Japan and is included on the 2006 IBBY Honour List for the quality of his illustrations for Un Hombre de Mar.

When I was a Boy Neruda Called Me Policarpo, illustrated by him and written by Póli Delano, is forthcoming in June, by Groundwood Books.

He lives in Mexico.

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