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Frané Lessac

フランエ・レッサック

Furanē Ressakku

Profile

Gender
Female
Born
Jersey City, New Jersey
Nationality
United States
Languages
English
Residence History
Cliffside Park, New Jersey → Malibu, California → Montserrat → London → Western Australia

Career

Occupations
Painter, Illustrator, Children's book author
Active Years
1979-2025
Affiliations
Western Australian Branch of the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (founder), Australian Society of Authors
Memberships
Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, Australian Society of Authors
Nominations
Children's Book of the Year Award: Eve Pownall Award for Information Books 2009 Honour: Simpson and his Donkey, CBCA Eve Pownall Award 2023 Shortlist: A is for Australian Reefs

Education

The New School for Social Research
Country: United States
University of Southern California
Ethnographic film
Country: United States
UCLA
Ethnographic film
Country: United States

Awards

Muriel Barwell Award
2010
Work: Contributions to children's literature
Organization: Children's Book Council of Australia WA Branch
Result: Winner
Western Australian Premier's Book Award
2002
Work: The Legend of Moondyne Joe
Organization: Government of Western Australia
Result: Winner
Boston Globe–Horn Book Award
2019
Work: We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga
Category: Picture Book Honor
Organization: The Horn Book
Result: Honor
American Indian Youth Literature Award
2020
Work: We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga
Organization: American Indian Library Association
Result: Winner
Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal
2019
Work: We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga
Category: Honor
Organization: Association for Library Service to Children
Result: Honor

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

My Little Island

1984 Children's picture book

Her first book, a love letter to Montserrat illustrated with her paintings of the island.

Island lifeCaribbean cultureLove for home

We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga

2018 Children's picture book

A picture book about Cherokee traditions of gratitude, recipient of multiple awards.

GratitudeIndigenous cultureFamily

We Are Still Here

2021 Children's picture book

Explores contemporary Native American cultures and resilience.

Indigenous resilienceContemporary cultureHope

A is for Australian Reefs

2022 Children's picture book

Introduces Australian reefs using the alphabet.

Marine lifeEnvironmentEducation

Bibliography

  • My Little Island
  • Caribbean Canvas
  • A Is for Australia
  • We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga
  • We Are Still Here
  • A is for Australian Reefs

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Vibrant paintings of old West Indies architecture and peopleBatik-like illustrations inspired by the beauty of locations
Recurring Motifs
Island landscapesCoral reefsHistorical eventsIndigenous cultures

Legacy

Recognized for significant contributions to children's literature in Western Australia through numerous awards. Highly acclaimed for illustrations depicting Native American cultures.

Trivia

  • Moved to Malibu, California at age 18 to study ethnographic film.
  • Began her painting career on Montserrat in 1979.
  • Collaborated frequently with husband Mark Greenwood on children's books.
  • Founded the Western Australian branch of SCBWI in 2002.
  • Son Cody Greenwood directed a documentary about Montserrat's recording studios.