Search Results

← Back to all Brigita Orel Author She/Her Slovenia, Southern Europe Brigita Orel is a Slovenian author and translator. She has published numerous short stories and poems in online and print journals. Her work has been nominated for the Pushcart Prize. Q&A Tell us something interesting about yourself: I'm a foodie. Tell us your favourite medium for reading: Print books. Tell us your favourite location for reading: On my sofa. How would you describe your identity? Slovenian. Book title: The Pirate Tree What inspired your creative process in writing or illustrating your book? Watching children making friends, how easy they find it, and how natural it is for them to see beyond differences. Favourite character or moment from the book – and why? My favourite moment is when Agu offers Sam to join her on the tree. What themes or messages does your book raise? Our differences should not divide us but bring us together. How would you describe your artistic or writing style? Heartfelt, lyrical. Connect IG: @brigita_orel BOOKS BY Brigita Orel The Pirate Tree View book

← Back to all Carmen Vela Illustrator Spain, Hong Kong, USA, Southern Europe, Eastern Asia, Northern America Carmen Vela is an independent art director, designer and illustrator from Spain. For over a decade she has been living between Hong Kong, Brooklyn and Europe, fuelled by her love of books, paper and stories. Q&A Coming soon - watch this space! Connect IG: @carmen_vela_ W: https://carmenvela.com BOOKS BY Carmen Vela Escape View book

← Back to all Emma Proctor Illustrator UK, Northern Europe Emma Proctor is a UK-based illustrator with a degree in Illustration from Middlesex University. Emma has worked in-house for many high street clients including Clinton Cards, Hallmark Cards, Moonpig and Disney. Q&A Coming soon - watch this space! Connect IG: @emmproc88 W: https://www.emmaproctor.co.uk BOOKS BY Emma Proctor SuperJoe Does NOT Do Cuddles View book SuperJoe Does NOT Say Sorry View book

← Back to all Fotini Tikkou Illustrator She/Her Belgium, Greece, Western Europe, Test - Philippines, Southern Europe Fotini Tikkou graduated from the Athens School of Fine Arts and the Luca school of Arts in Brussels. She uses a mixture of traditional and digital techniques enriched with collage elements. She lives in Athens. Q&A Coming soon - watch this space! Connect IG: @fotinitikkouillustration W: https:// www.fotinitikkoushop.com BOOKS BY Fotini Tikkou Step Into My Shoes View book

← Back to all Eric Ruiz Roxas Author He/Him Philippines, Southeastern Asia Eric Ruiz Roxas is an award-winning writer. He was named the regional shepherd for the Department of Education teacher delegates at the 2025 National Competition for Writing in the Philippines. Q&A Tell us something interesting about yourself: I'd like to think of myself as the Filipino Writing Willy Wonka because aside from creating stories and reading books, my other passion is managing our family's candy factory. I'm also the biggest fan of my hometown Pulilan's world-famous kneeling carabaos. How would you describe your identity? I'm a proud Filipino and I identify as gay and a proud member of the LGBTQIA+ Community. Book title: What Makes a Family What inspired your creative process in writing or illustrating your book? I have two favorite Filipino holidays growing up: one is Christmas and the other is Undas or the Filipino Day of the Dead. Both celebrate the beauty of family and togetherness. But when my father passed away in 2013, Undas became even more special. It became the one day when we allow ourselves as a family to pause, reminisce, and reconnect with our dearly departed. And this loving yet poignant feeling during Undas was the emotion I tried to evoke when I wrote What Makes a Family . Favourite character or moment from the book – and why? Though I love everything about What Makes a Family , I feel the ending is just chef’s kiss perfect. What themes or messages does your book raise? Diversity, inclusion, and family. How would you describe your artistic or writing style in three words? Fun, funny, friendly. What aspect of the story did you most connect with, and how did it shape your illustrations? My sister and brother characters Pedrito and Pipay are basically me and my kuya and ate when we were young. Like Pedrito and Pipay, we were also very curious, stubborn, and sentimental youngsters. Favourite illustration – and why? The final scene when Pedrito and Pipay are reunited with their grandparents in front of the tomb of their mother and father. What a sweet, poignant moment! Connect IG: @ericruizroxas FB: @ericruizroxas X: @ericruizroxas BOOKS BY Eric Ruiz Roxas What Makes a Family View book

← Back to all Diwa Tharan Sanders Author Malaysia, Southeastern Asia, India, Philippines Diwa Tharan Sanders is a Malaysian author of Indian-Filipino heritage. A keen yoga practitioner, she teaches meditation and breathwork classes, and makes mala necklaces and bracelets for healing, happiness, and inspiration. Q&A Coming soon - watch this space! Connect IG: @hdiwatharan BOOKS BY Diwa Tharan Sanders Kaya's Heart Song View book

← Back to all Ella Okstad Illustrator Norway, UK, Northern Europe Ella Okstad is a popular Norwegian illustrator with a degree from the Kent Institute of Art and Design in England. Q&A Current job title: Illustrator Tell us your favourite medium for reading: Physical books. Tell us your favourite location for reading: At my diningroom table while having lunch. Book title: If I Were Prime Minister. What inspired your creative process in writing or illustrating your book? Playful interraction between text and drawings and the use of color crayons. Favourite character or moment from the book – and why? The little dog. A happy little companion. What themes or messages does your book raise? A child`s perspective on different things grown-ups running the country could do better. A great conversation starter which is both socially critical, playful and uplifting. How would you describe your artistic or writing style in three words? Playful, colorful, warm. What aspect of the story did you most connect with, and how did it shape your illustrations? It is playful and more like a long poem than a traditional story. This shaped how I approched the illustrations. Materials and techniques used for this book’s illustrations: Ink and digital brushes in Photoshop. Connect IG: @ellaokstad W: https://www.okstad.com/About-Contact BOOKS BY Ella Okstad If I Were Prime Minister View book

← Back to all Amanda Addison Author She/Her The natural world, travel and textiles inspire Amanda's work. Long-listed for the Commonword and Virginia Prize, translated into German and Italian, she holds an MA in Writing the Visual and lectures in Art and Creative Writing. Q&A Tell us something interesting about yourself: When not writing, I can be found swimming in the sea or sketching in cafés. Current job title: Author/Artist/Teacher Tell us your favourite medium for reading: Print book. I love the book as a tactile object. Tell us your favourite location for reading: I am a night-time reader in bed. How would you describe your identity? I have many identities! In no order of importance: woman, mother, wife, daughter, sister, artist, author, friend, human being. Book title: Boundless Sky What inspired your creative process in writing or illustrating your book? Boundless Sky was inspired by several things coming together – the natural world, migration, and a sense of home. Favourite character or moment from the book – and why? Such a hard question! I am tempted to say that I love the whole journey – from desert to sky. What themes or messages does your book raise? I’ve always liked the environmentalists’ saying: think global, act local. How would you describe your artistic or writing style in three words? Lyrical, global, heart warming. What aspect of the story did you most connect with, and how did it shape your illustrations? The notion of home. Favourite illustration – and why? Snow scene. Connect IG: @AmandaAuthorArt BOOKS BY Amanda Addison Boundless Sky View book

← Back to all Amariah Rauscher Illustrator She/Her Northern America, USA Amariah lives in Illinois with her family. She holds an MA in Communication. She is the illustrator of the popular Princess Truly series. When she isn’t painting, Amariah can usually be found reading a book. Q&A Coming soon - watch this space! Connect IG: @amariahrauscherillustrator W: https://www.amariahrauscher.com BOOKS BY Amariah Rauscher Sunday Rain View book

← Back to all Alkista Halikia Author She/Her Northern Europe, Southern Europe Alkisti Halikia is an award-winning author from Greece. Having studied Philosophy and Gallery Studies, she now works as a Museum Education Officer designing and performing educational programmes for pupils aged 4-12 years old. Q&A Tell us something interesting about yourself: I am not sure what a spirit animal is, but my birth flower is a daisy, symbolising innocence and purity. Current job title: Freelance Museums Education Specialist Tell us your favourite medium for reading: I prefer printed books. Tell us your favourite location for reading: I like to read on a sofa or in bed but not late at night. How would you describe your identity? A Greek woman author, coming from a small country with a long storytelling tradition. Book title: Step Into My Shoes What inspired your creative process in writing or illustrating your book? I used to make up stories for my daughter at bedtime. This one grew out of those moments. Favourite character or moment from the book – and why? The big hug of resilience between mother and daughter. What themes or messages does your book raise? To show empathy is something we need to be taught and reminded of. How would you describe your artistic or writing style in three words? Immediate, emotional, true. What aspect of the story did you most connect with, and how did it shape your illustrations? What I connect with most is the playful way the story treats empathy and understanding. Materials and techniques used for this book’s illustrations: Collage with photos. Favourite illustration – and why? The last one, which shows two girls of different backgrounds walking together. Connect IG: @alkistishalikia BOOKS BY Alkista Halikia Step Into My Shoes View book

← Back to all Adriena Fong Illustrator Adriena Fong is an illustrator born and raised in Singapore, where she spent her childhood dreaming up magical worlds. She loves working with gouache and colour pencils, as well as textured digital brushes, always looking to capture the playful charm of traditional media. Q&A Coming soon - watch this space! Connect IG: @adrienafong W: https://www.adrienafong.com BOOKS BY Adriena Fong Funcles View book

← Back to all Aaron Asis Illustrator He/Him Philippines, Southeastern Asia Aaron Asis is a Filipino illustrator, best known for his expressive brushstrokes. His works have earned recognition from the Philippine Board on Books for Young People and the Society of Illustrators. He draws inspiration from childhood, nature, and everyday life. Q&A Coming soon - watch this space! Connect IG: @aaronasis BOOKS BY Aaron Asis The Language Of Flowers View book