Mariajo Ilustrajo – författare

Winner of the Klaus Flugge Prize for Illustration 2023Shortlisted for 'Illustrator of the Year' - British Book Awards 2025Flooded is the funny and beautifully illustrated tale of animals who live in a city that is ever so slowly flooding.The flood comes gradually at first. All the animals ignore the obvious and go about their busy lives, disjointed from one another and preoccupied by their own problems.Eventually, the flood water reaches a height that they can no longer ignore and they have to work together to save their city. All the animals join together in a line and pull out the plug that is drowning the city.This is an exceptionally illustrated story that teaches a message not to let problems fester and with a little team work and community spirit, no problem is insurmountable.

Winner of the Klaus Flugge Prize for Illustration 2023Shortlisted for 'Illustrator of the Year' - British Book Awards 2025Flooded is the funny and beautifully illustrated tale of animals who live in a city that is ever so slowly flooding.The flood comes gradually at first. All the animals ignore the obvious and go about their busy lives, disjointed from one another and preoccupied by their own problems.Eventually, the flood water reaches a height that they can no longer ignore and they have to work together to save their city. All the animals join together in a line and pull out the plug that is drowning the city.This is an exceptionally illustrated story that teaches a message not to let problems fester and with a little team work and community spirit, no problem is insurmountable.

Winner of the Klaus Flugge Prize for Illustration 2023Shortlisted for Illustrator of the Year - British Book Awards 2025A new book from award-winning illustrator Mariajo Ilustrajo, Lost is the story of a polar bear who finds himself lost, in a big concrete city.He politely asks the city folk for help but everyone is much too busy and impatient to help the newcomer. He finds himself travelling on the subway only to be noticed, finally by a little girl.The girl takes the homesick bear by the paw and under her innocent wing. Under the nose of her seemingly unaware mum, she feeds him dinner, gives him a bath and they read stories together. When the polar bear wistfully looks at a poster of the North Pole on her bedroom wall, the little girl realises that her friend needs help to get home.This is a story about the power friendship has to help you feel found, and even to transport you home.

Winner of the Klaus Flugge Prize for Illustration 2023Shortlisted for Illustrator of the Year - British Book Awards 2025A new book from award-winning illustrator Mariajo Ilustrajo, Lost is the story of a polar bear who finds himself lost, in a big concrete city.He politely asks the city folk for help but everyone is much too busy and impatient to help the newcomer. He finds himself travelling on the subway only to be noticed, finally by a little girl.The girl takes the homesick bear by the paw and under her innocent wing. Under the nose of her seemingly unaware mum, she feeds him dinner, gives him a bath and they read stories together. When the polar bear wistfully looks at a poster of the North Pole on her bedroom wall, the little girl realises that her friend needs help to get home.This is a story about the power friendship has to help you feel found, and even to transport you home.

Winner of the Klaus Flugge Prize for Illustration 2023Shortlisted for Illustrator of the Year - British Book Awards 2025From the award-winning creator of Flooded and Lost comes a magical story about discovering a connection with books for the very first time.This brightly illustrated adventure story is perfect for kids who claim to hate reading, as the enchanting narrative opens their eyes to a fantasy world created by words on a page.In this spellbinding story, we meet a little girl excited for the end of term. No more school! However, she’s given the very unreasonable task of reading a whole book over the holidays. A whole book? But she HATES books. But her sister takes her to the library – she says she has just the thing.Slowly, the little girl is drawn into a world of adventure: a little fennec fox leads her to meet fairytale witches and creatures, as they find ingredients to cast a special spell at the end of her book. At first, the little girl is dismayed to learn that this spell seemingly hasn't changed a thing . . . however, the little fox points out that she HAS transformed: discovering the power of her imagination has changed her forever.This charming, engaging picture book shows children how wonderful books can really be, to encourage a lifelong love of reading. Discover adventure on every page – and turn I Hate Books into I Love Books!

Shortlisted for Illustrator of the Year – British Book Awards 2025 Step inside the mice’s hidden world in this interactive page-turner from internationally bestselling author-illustrator Mariajo Ilustrajo. In a playful twist on the classic 'unexpected guest' story, humans become the surprise visitors in a tale told by mice! A family of mice living happily under the floorboards get the shock of the lives when they discover some very unusual houseguests – humans! At first, the mice are wary, but curiosity soon takes over. They investigate the strange objects and delicious food their guests have brought with them and decide maybe humans aren’t so bad after all . . . until one mouse gets trapped in a jar.  When the mouse’s friends try to help, they get caught too! But just when things look hopeless, they are set free from the jar . . . and into a cardboard Mouse Land created by their new human neighbours. Maybe these humans aren’t so terrible after all.   All is well, until the mice discover there is one last guest to deal with – and it’s even worse than humans: a CAT.  Providing a full interactive picture book experience, Unexpected Guests features a clever gatefold device that reveals the mice in their home under the floorboards, while die-cut holes can be found on the front and back cover. These elements elevate the fast-paced and funny story and bring to life Mariajo’s irresistible artwork, resulting in what is sure to become a firm family favourite.    Following the prize-winning Flooded and I (Hate) Love Books – along with other titles such as Lost and Oh, Carrots! – Unexpected Guests confirms Mariajo as one of today’s most exciting picture book creators.

Shortlisted for Illustrator of the Year – British Book Awards 2025 Step inside the mice’s hidden world in this interactive page-turner from internationally bestselling author-illustrator Mariajo Ilustrajo. In a playful twist on the classic 'unexpected guest' story, humans become the surprise visitors in a tale told by mice! A family of mice living happily under the floorboards get the shock of the lives when they discover some very unusual houseguests – humans! At first, the mice are wary, but curiosity soon takes over. They investigate the strange objects and delicious food their guests have brought with them and decide maybe humans aren’t so bad after all . . . until one mouse gets trapped in a jar.  When the mouse’s friends try to help, they get caught too! But just when things look hopeless, they are set free from the jar . . . and into a cardboard Mouse Land created by their new human neighbours. Maybe these humans aren’t so terrible after all.   All is well, until the mice discover there is one last guest to deal with – and it’s even worse than humans: a CAT.  Providing a full interactive picture book experience, Unexpected Guests features a clever gatefold device that reveals the mice in their home under the floorboards, while die-cut holes can be found on the front and back cover. These elements elevate the fast-paced and funny story and bring to life Mariajo’s irresistible artwork, resulting in what is sure to become a firm family favourite.    Following the prize-winning Flooded and I (Hate) Love Books – along with other titles such as Lost and Oh, Carrots! – Unexpected Guests confirms Mariajo as one of today’s most exciting picture book creators.

Winner of the Klaus Flugge Prize for Illustration 2023Shortlisted for Illustrator of the Year - British Book Awards 2025From the award-winning creator of Flooded and Lost comes a magical story about discovering a connection with books for the very first time.This brightly illustrated adventure story is perfect for kids who claim to hate reading, as the enchanting narrative opens their eyes to a fantasy world created by words on a page.In this spellbinding story, we meet a little girl excited for the end of term. No more school! However, she’s given the very unreasonable task of reading a whole book over the holidays. A whole book? But she HATES books. But her sister takes her to the library – she says she has just the thing.Slowly, the little girl is drawn into a world of adventure: a little fennec fox leads her to meet fairytale witches and creatures, as they find ingredients to cast a special spell at the end of her book. At first, the little girl is dismayed to learn that this spell seemingly hasn't changed a thing . . . however, the little fox points out that she HAS transformed: discovering the power of her imagination has changed her forever.This charming, engaging picture book shows children how wonderful books can really be, to encourage a lifelong love of reading. Discover adventure on every page – and turn I Hate Books into I Love Books!

Shortlisted for Illustrator of the Year – British Book Awards 2025  From the award-winning creator of I (Hate) Love Books comes a humorous and heartfelt tale about the value of kindness and the magic of making new friends. Oh, Carrots! is the perfect choice for young children as they begin to navigate their first friendships.   Mr Rabbit lives alone, and do you know what? He likes it! He enjoys peaceful moments spent reading, drinking cups of tea and gardening – but sometimes it can get a little too quiet . . .  Luckily, Spring has arrived, and that means Mr Rabbit can plant his favourite vegetable – carrots!   With some love, sunshine and a little bit of singing, the carrots begin to grow. But one day, Mr Rabbit spots something unusual – a wiggling carrot top! He pulls and pulls, and out pops a walking, talking carrot.   Carrot only wants to be Mr Rabbit’s friend, but Mr Rabbit just wants to be left alone! From leaving soil all over the sofa to rummaging through books, Carrot's mischievous antics leave Mr Rabbit feeling a bit irritated. Yet, as the day unfolds, Mr Rabbit finds himself starting to enjoy the company. He’s so used to being all alone that he’s never even considered having a friend. Maybe now is the perfect time for that to change. . .   Mariajo Ilustrajo once again creates a story that children will want to revisit time and again. Following the prize-winning Flooded, Lost and I (Hate) Love Books, Oh, Carrots! confirms Mariajo as one of today's most exciting picture book creators.

Shortlisted for Illustrator of the Year – British Book Awards 2025  From the award-winning creator of I (Hate) Love Books comes a humorous and heartfelt tale about the value of kindness and the magic of making new friends. Oh, Carrots! is the perfect choice for young children as they begin to navigate their first friendships.   Mr Rabbit lives alone, and do you know what? He likes it! He enjoys peaceful moments spent reading, drinking cups of tea and gardening – but sometimes it can get a little too quiet . . .  Luckily, Spring has arrived, and that means Mr Rabbit can plant his favourite vegetable – carrots!   With some love, sunshine and a little bit of singing, the carrots begin to grow. But one day, Mr Rabbit spots something unusual – a wiggling carrot top! He pulls and pulls, and out pops a walking, talking carrot.   Carrot only wants to be Mr Rabbit’s friend, but Mr Rabbit just wants to be left alone! From leaving soil all over the sofa to rummaging through books, Carrot's mischievous antics leave Mr Rabbit feeling a bit irritated. Yet, as the day unfolds, Mr Rabbit finds himself starting to enjoy the company. He’s so used to being all alone that he’s never even considered having a friend. Maybe now is the perfect time for that to change. . .   Mariajo Ilustrajo once again creates a story that children will want to revisit time and again. Following the prize-winning Flooded, Lost and I (Hate) Love Books, Oh, Carrots! confirms Mariajo as one of today's most exciting picture book creators.