Philippe Béha: Canada ⋆ Illustrator

Philippe Béha is a dedicated advocate for the benefits of Canadian bilingualism. Born in 1950 in Casablanca, Morocco, Béha immigrated with his parents to France when he was three. Béha attended university in France: the prestigious école des Beaux-arts de Strasbourg (Strasbourg Fine Arts School). Philippe has lived in Canada since 1976, when he came to work as a graphic artist for Radio-Quebec.

Béha has published over 170 children's books, flourishing as an English and French language author and illustrator. He often publishes books as both the author and illustrator, and his stories are beloved internationally. However, Béha has been especially noted for his distinctive illustration talent. The Montreal Gazette has described his work this way: "Whether you're looking at one of the cartoonish, round-nosed characters in his preschool picture books or the more detailed, mixed-media, sophisticated art gracing his posters, magazine work or books for older readers, there's no mistaking a Béha illustration." Béha deftly succeeds in maintaining variety in his style; however, there is certainly a notable Béha touch to all of his work. Although Béha has mastered the art of soft edges and warm, appealing colors, his most notable illustrations are oddly and invitingly cubist.

Béha's success as a Canadian illustrator/author is widely and publicly noted. His work was the centerpiece of the Toronto Dominion Bank's book giveaway program in 2012, when every first grade child in Canada received his book I've Lost My Cat. Béha's work is also beloved in Mexico, Korea, and the USA.

As a children's illustrator and author, Béha strongly believes in the power of literature as an interactive and exciting tool in the holistic development of children. Commenting on his nomination as a 2012 TD Canadian Children's Literature Award finalist, Béha noted the importance of meaningful reading and writing in a child's life: "these are t wo activities that contribute to children's feelings of happiness and freedom." Béha certainly does his part in using his talent to the best of his ability, and he also shares his talent with other aspiring artists whenever possible, teaching illustration as an adjunct professor at UQAM (Université du Québec a Montréal) since 1991. Béha has been recognized for his achievements in community as a member of the Royal Academy of Canada.