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I write here so rarely that I’m no longer sure anyone even sees me. But still, I’ll let myself enjoy this a little: my book made it onto the dPictus longlist. I was just a couple of steps away from the Bologna book fair, where books from the shortlist were shown. but it still makes me really happy and motivates me to keep creating my books.
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#picturebookmakers #unpublishedpicturebookshowcase #picturebook #childrenbookillustration #bookillustrator by @zhenya_twigg

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5 months ago

Very happy to be shortlisted of @paperbird_books and the Thames & Hudson Illustration Exhibition & Award. Huge thanks to the jury!

The shortlist features illustrations from my book While the Wind Blows.

#paperbirdbooks #illustration #childrenbookillustration #picturebook by @zhenya_twigg

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6 months ago

Hooray! I’m happy to receive the Merit Award at the iJungle Illustration Awards in the Book category. Lots of thanks to the jury!
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#illustration #ijungleawards #ijungleillustrationawards2025 #childrenbookillustration #picturebookillustration by @zhenya_twigg

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8 months ago

It’s happened! The author’s copies of the book I illustrated this spring have finally arrived. It’s a big milestone for me. I’ve been circling around children’s books for more than 10 years, and here we are 🙂 This isn’t my first book, but it’s the first one that’s actually been printed and is truly a children’s book. Coming soon to bookshops across the UK.

I didn’t talk about this when I was drawing, but now I’d like to share it, because so much about this book seemed to fall into place as if it were meant to be.

Dottie Publishing got in touch with me in January, and I had to submit the test illustrations by January 16. A year ago, on the night of January 16, my grandmother passed away. I wasn’t able to fly to Russia to say goodbye to her, and while I was working on the test illustration, I thought about her a lot.

At the same time, I happened to come across a completely heartbreaking Italian Post advertusing (oh, the almighty instagram algorithms!) about a little boy who puts together a parcel and sends it to his grandpa in the sky. And my book ended in exactly the same way: “To Grandpa in the Sky.”

I sent the illustration that night and thought: well, it seems like the decision has already been made somewhere.

The book is very optimistic despite its title. Huge thanks to the author, @cassieoneillauthor. I feel like this is the kind of book that can help with grief, not just for children.

And thank you to @dottiepublishing for believing in me and giving me the opportunity to illustrate this beautiful story. by @zhenya_twigg

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a month ago

We are so proud and excited to do a full cover reveal for “Grandpa in the Sky” written by @cassieoneillauthor and illustrated by @zhenya_twigg. It is a beautiful story about loss and finding the light again. Please go to the link in our bio or click below to pre order the book! 💌🐞🌳 https://www.dottiepublishing.com/shop/p/grandpa-in-the-sky #newbook #debutauthor #bookstagrammer #childrensbook #readersofinstagram by @zhenya_twigg

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4 months ago

My period of silence here has stretched on longer than I planned.
In the meantime, I’ve finished a new book, and here are a few fragments from the illustrations. It will be published this autumn by @dottiepublishing. It is a wonderful, sad and at the same time very optimistic story about a boy and his granddad, written by @cassieoneillauthor. I cannot say anymore yet :)

#picturebook #childrenbookillustration taken in United Kingdom by @zhenya_twigg

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4 months ago

A little look behind the scenes of a Dottie title coming soon. Grandpa in the Sky, written by @cassieoneillauthor and illustrated by @zhenya_twigg ✨

Grandpa in the Sky is a gentle, rhyming picture book with hand drawn illustrations that bring the story, and our imaginations to life.

We are so lucky to work with the talented Evgenia on this title. Most recently she received a Merit at the iJungle Illustration Awards and was shortlisted for The Paper Bird Illustration Exhibition and Thames & Hudson Illustration Award for emerging talent 2026.

We can’t wait to share more of the story soon - publishing October 2026! by @zhenya_twigg

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6 months ago

As we celebrate stories this week, we not only recognise the gifted authors and illustrators who already fill our shelves, but look toward emerging talent who are soon to deliver beautiful stories to our little ones.

Exceptional illustrator @zhenya_twigg shows her sketches for our upcoming title Grandpa in the Sky. Publishing in October and written by the naturally skilled debut author @cassieoneillauthor ⭐️

As the National Year of Reading, now more than ever, it feels important to share in the joy of books and engage with stories for every reader.

Humorous, silly, poignant, evocative, clever, thought-provoking, or just simply fun - there is a story for everyone.

We would love to hear about some of your favourite books and authors!

The Dottie team love too many to mention them all, but some popular names and stories in the team include Jill Murphy, Arnold Lobel, Kenneth Graham, Janet & Allan Ahlberg, Mikey Please, our own @millyvoiceruns and more! by @zhenya_twigg

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7 months ago

I recently saw a photograph by @yana_yanaelis of paper boats caught in the autumn leaves. I couldn’t walk past it and drew an illustration about a little boat setting off on a big autumn journey.
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#childrenbookillustration #illustration #editorialillustration #sketchbook #picturebook #bookillustrationoftheday #sketching #picturebookillustration #autumninengland #englishautumn #autumninlondon #countryside taken in United Kingdom by @zhenya_twigg

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a year ago

Time to read books and dream #illustration #autumn #countryside #sketchbook #childrenbookillustration #picturebook taken in The Cotswolds , England by @zhenya_twigg

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a year ago

Случился приступ ностальгии. Откопала свои засохшие масляные краски, которые перевезла в Англию еще лет 8 назад. Еле открыла их, ну и решила быстренько что-то написать. Пишется почему-то Италия, а не то, что у меня за окном :) еще не доделано, но здесь мне результат и не важен. Захотелось на пленэр и больших холстов. taken in Macclesfield, Cheshire, UK by @zhenya_twigg

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a year ago

Old cottage #illustration #childrenbookillustration #bookillustrationoftheday #bookillustration #picturebook #sketching #picturebookillustration #countryside #cosyevening #sketching #goodnight taken in London, United Kingdom by @zhenya_twigg

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a year ago