Natalia Shaloshvili – författare

One of LitHub's Most Anticipated Children’s Books of 2026! • Sweet, tender, and perfect for the youngest picture book readers, this winning story about a most adorable kitten is an affectionate invitation to identify with and love this small cat.What does a small cat need? Two little eyes, two little ears, big whiskers, and a tail, to start. What else does a small cat need? Maybe a walk in the flowers, a sip of milk, or a warm spot to laze around in the sun.But above all else, what a small cat needs is…someone big or little—maybe someone just like you!—with cuddly arms and a huge heart to pet it and hear it purr. Yes, every cat needs that!This is a tender and universal story through which author-illustrator Natalia Shaloshvili achieves something quite rare: illustrations that are of great artistic quality, and yet succeed in being warm, funny and relatable to children.With beautiful pacing and emotionally astute moments, this small story succeeds brilliantly in structuring an identification between small cat and child that will have young readers returning to this book again and again—to see themselves, while also feeling love and care for this irresistible kitten.

“Maybe the most instantly adorable character of recent years.” Booklist“A sweet reminder that everyone has good and bad days.” The Bookseller“A comforting, uplifting message to any reader who’s ever been a bit cranky (aka all of us).” BookPage (starred review)Pavlo does not feel like going to the park. Not today.He does not want to go swimming.He even says no to the cinema.What's going on, Pavlo?Pavlo's got the grumps.This comforting picture book takes a look at bad days and big emotions, and reassures little ones that we are loved by our family and friends even when we're not our happiest selves.Also by Natalia Shalshovili:Sasha Feels Shy

A funny, heartwarming picture book that explores shyness with empathy, by the award-winning creator of Pavlo Gets the Grumps.A reassuring story for anyone who has ever felt shy, and for those of us who need more time to warm up socially. In a world that focuses on extroverts, this little wolf cub shows that introverts enjoy company too ... when they're ready to play!Sasha has been invited to a playdate at Leo's. Leo bounces up and down as he wants to play cafe, start a band, and fly to the moon. It's all too much for Sasha who wants to go back home. How can Sasha manage her shyness and show Leo that she really does want to make friends?Have you got this one?Pavlo Gets the Grumps

Sasha wants to join in on a playdate, but her shyness keeps getting in the way. A kindhearted, funny, reassuring story for anyone who needs more time warming up in this socially extroverted world.“Models empathy for shyness of all stripes” Kirkus ReviewsSasha has been invited to a playdate at Leo's. Leo bounces up and down as he wants to play cafe, start a band, and fly to the moon. It's all too much for Sasha who wants to go back home. How can Sasha manage her shyness and show Leo that she really does want to make friends?A reassuring story for anyone who has ever felt shy, and for those of us who need more time to warm up socially. In a world that focuses on extroverts, this little wolf cub shows that introverts enjoy company too ... when they're ready to play!A funny, heartwarming picture book that explores shyness with empathy, by the award-winning creator of Pavlo Gets the Grumps.

Beautiful illustrations from an internationally recognized fine artist make this fun, ecologically-minded book about a bus-driving, tree-loving leopard a standout! When Miss Leoparda isn’t sleeping in her beloved tree home, she drives the bus, taking her animal friends around town on their animal business.Every day, all of the bus’s seats are taken . . . until the day something amazing and new appears: a little car that speeds off into the distance, leaving clouds of smoke in its wake. Intrigued, the bus’s passengers each get a car of their own, one by one, until the day that Miss Leoparda is the only one left on the bus.But more and more cars on the road mean more and more traffic jams, more and more arguments, and fewer and fewer trees—as trees, it seems, are just getting in the way of the jammed-up travelers.Will Miss Leoparda be able to nourish a new awareness and help her community return to their senses? With humor, insight, and gorgeous art, this is a picture book about the importance of the natural world and the value of community, to read again and again.

This companion title to Natalia Shaloshvili’s award-winning book Bear is a funny and comforting take on how to cope with constant worrying. With a little help from his friend Duck, Bear finds that even when his biggest (cookie-related!) worries do come true, it’s not the end of the world.  At first, Bear is happily munching his cookie, until a thought creeps in: what if it’s the last cookie? When this turns out to be true, he sets off for the shops – and his worries mount and mount. He worries about missing the bus . . . and it leaves without him. He worries he’ll get lost . . . and gets lost. By the time he finds the cookie queue, he’s at the very back; and his worst worry comes true. The very last cookie goes . . . to Duck! But just when Bear thinks his worst fears have been realised, Duck gently shows him that worries don’t have to end in disaster. By sharing his cookie and reminding Bear that ‘what ifs’ can lead to happy endings too, Duck helps his friend see that things often turn out better than expected. Complete with Natalia Shaloshvili’s expressive, playful illustrations and a story that balances humour with warmth, Bear Worries captures the familiar experience of children (and adults) whose imaginations run away with them. Both entertaining and reassuring, this picture book is the perfect springboard for conversations about anxiety, resilience and friendship. Whether shared at storytime, used in classrooms or given as a thoughtful gift, Bear Worries is an essential addition to every child’s bookshelf. It offers the reminder that no worry is too big when faced together.

This companion title to Natalia Shaloshvili’s award-winning book Bear is a funny and comforting take on how to cope with constant worrying. With a little help from his friend Duck, Bear finds that even when his biggest (cookie-related!) worries do come true, it’s not the end of the world.  At first, Bear is happily munching his cookie, until a thought creeps in: what if it’s the last cookie? When this turns out to be true, he sets off for the shops – and his worries mount and mount. He worries about missing the bus . . . and it leaves without him. He worries he’ll get lost . . . and gets lost. By the time he finds the cookie queue, he’s at the very back; and his worst worry comes true. The very last cookie goes . . . to Duck! But just when Bear thinks his worst fears have been realised, Duck gently shows him that worries don’t have to end in disaster. By sharing his cookie and reminding Bear that ‘what ifs’ can lead to happy endings too, Duck helps his friend see that things often turn out better than expected. Complete with Natalia Shaloshvili’s expressive, playful illustrations and a story that balances humour with warmth, Bear Worries captures the familiar experience of children (and adults) whose imaginations run away with them. Both entertaining and reassuring, this picture book is the perfect springboard for conversations about anxiety, resilience and friendship. Whether shared at storytime, used in classrooms or given as a thoughtful gift, Bear Worries is an essential addition to every child’s bookshelf. It offers the reminder that no worry is too big when faced together.

This companion title to Natalia Shaloshvili’s award-winning book Bear is a funny and comforting take on how to cope with constant worrying. With a little help from his friend Duck, Bear finds that even when his biggest (cookie-related!) worries do come true, it’s not the end of the world.  At first, Bear is happily munching his cookie, until a thought creeps in: what if it’s the last cookie? When this turns out to be true, he sets off for the shops – and his worries mount and mount. He worries about missing the bus . . . and it leaves without him. He worries he’ll get lost . . . and gets lost. By the time he finds the cookie queue, he’s at the very back; and his worst worry comes true. The very last cookie goes . . . to Duck! But just when Bear thinks his worst fears have been realised, Duck gently shows him that worries don’t have to end in disaster. By sharing his cookie and reminding Bear that ‘what ifs’ can lead to happy endings too, Duck helps his friend see that things often turn out better than expected. Complete with Natalia Shaloshvili’s expressive, playful illustrations and a story that balances humour with warmth, Bear Worries captures the familiar experience of children (and adults) whose imaginations run away with them. Both entertaining and reassuring, this picture book is the perfect springboard for conversations about anxiety, resilience and friendship. Whether shared at storytime, used in classrooms or given as a thoughtful gift, Bear Worries is an essential addition to every child’s bookshelf. It offers the reminder that no worry is too big when faced together.

A hilarious and heartwarming picture book about sharing, big feelings, and learning how to speak up!Packed with vibrant illustrations and laugh-out-loud moments, Bear is a delightful story that little readers will want to revisit again and again. Perfect for bedtime, storytime, or any time!Bear is ready for the perfect day - blue skies, a cosy bench, his favourite book, a delicious cookie, and a bright balloon. Bliss!But just as he settles in, Fox wants a spot on the bench. Then Wolf asks for a bite of cookie. Rabbit wants a turn with the book. And Elephant? Well, he has his eyes on that balloon…Before Bear knows it, his peaceful day has turned into a chaotic whirlwind of sharing, and he’s about to explode! AAAAAARGH!From the brilliant mind of author-illustrator Natalia Shaloshvili, Bear is a laugh-out-loud, beautifully illustrated story about learning to say what you really mean before your emotions take over.For fans of Owl Babies and The Koala Who Could - this is a must-read for little readers learning about friendship, boundaries, and the power of their own voice!

A story about sharing and how important it is to say what you mean.Bear is all set for a perfect day. The sky is blue, there's not a cloud in the sky and he has all of his most favourite things in the world by his side – a cookie to nibble on, a book to get lost in, a bright balloon to keep him happy and the perfect bench to take a rest on.But no sooner has Bear made himself comfortable, than along comes Fox who wants to share the bench too. Bear agrees, begrudgingly. But no sooner has he overcome the idea of sharing his bench when Wolf pops up to ask for a bit of cookie . . . and then Rabbit jumps up to read his book . . . and then Elephant lumbers along to play with his balloon. And before Bear knows it, it's all become too much for him! AAAAAARGH! yells Bear.From author-illustrator Natalia Shaloshvili, this is a whimsical and laugh-out-loud funny picture book about how hard it can be to say what you really mean – and why it's best to avoid bottling up emotions, so they don't come bursting out in one big AAAAAARGH.

A book-shaped hug that we all need on a day when everything just feels BLAH.Pavlo does not feel like going to the park. Not today.He does not want to go swimming.He even says no to the cinema.What's going on, Pavlo?Pavlo's got the grumps.This comforting picture book takes a look at bad days and big emotions, and reminds us that we all have grumpy days sometimes but no feeling lasts forever.Natalia Shaloshvili's expressive illustrations are sad and funny at the same time, reassuring little ones that we are loved by our family and friends even when we're not our happiest selves.Pavlo guides young children on their emotional learning journey and shows how joy is always just around the corner.