Forever Stamps 2021 Message Monsters – Whimsical Cartoon Designs, First-Class Postage

Value: 66¢ 1-ounce First-class rate (Forever)

Issue Date: September 24, 2021

First Day City: Topeka, KS

Printed by: Banknote Corporation of America

Printing Method: Offset

Format: Pane of 20

In 2021, the USPS introduced a set of four Message Monsters stamps with the aim of sparking interest in young people. The stamps were a collaborative effort between USPS art director Antonio Alcalá and renowned children’s author and illustrator Elise Gravel.

Elise Gravel, born in 1977 in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, is the daughter of writer Francois Gravel and Murielle Grégoire. Initially studying graphic design, Gravel later shifted her focus to illustrating books.

As a children’s literature author and illustrator, Gravel gained popularity for her inclusion of whimsical characters with unique designs, captivating young readers worldwide. She has published over 30 books in more than 12 languages and received the Governor General’s Award for Children’s Illustration in 2012.

Gravel’s passion is evident in her desire to entertain children with funny and endearing characters, encouraging them to enjoy and explore the world while learning valuable lessons. Given the USPS’s goal of introducing stamps to a younger audience, Elise Gravel was a fitting collaborator for the Message Monsters designs.