ELLSA

Kristi Kangilaski is a picture book author from Estonia, as well as an illustrator, book and graphic designer and an art teacher. Kangilaski graduated from the Estonian Academy of Arts in graphic design in 2013 and published her first picture book in 2012. The Sun Goes on Holiday won a significant number of exceptional Estonian children’s literature awards and, in 2018, was published in Chinese. In 2014, Kangilaski’s second picture book Tiu and the Dove was selected for the White Ravens catalogue. In 2019, she won second place in the Knee-High Book Competition with her manuscript The Great Knight. Besides authoring her own picture books, Kangilaski has illustrated eight children’s books. Powerful imagery, swift lines, strong shapes, and attention to details characterize her artwork.

Profile photo: Piia Ruber

Awards

2025
The Knee-High Book Competition, 1st place (Mia's Mini Muffins)

2022
Good Children’s Book (The Good Feeling)

2021
Nominee of the Annual Children's Literature Award of the Cultural Endowment of Estonia (The Great Knight)

2019
The Knee-High Book Competition, 2nd place (The Great Knight)

2017
Good Children’s Book (Epp Petrone. Magic Words)
The Knee-High Book Competition, 2nd place (Els Heinsalu. Eureka!)

2015
The White Ravens (Tiu and the Dove)
The Knee-High Book Competition, honourable mention (Lana Vatsel. Somebody Always Cares)

2014
5 Best-Designed Estonian Children’s Books, Certificate of Merit (Tiu and the Dove)

2013
5 Best-Designed Estonian Children’s Books, Certificate of Merit (Kristiina Kass. Dream Bird’s Nest)
The Knee-High Book Competition, 2nd place (Epp Petrone. Guess?)

2012
5 Best-Designed Estonian Children’s Books, Certificate of Merit, Special prize of the Estonian Children’s Literature Centre, Estonian Graphic Desiner's Union special prize for a young artist (The Sun Goes on a Holiday)
Good Children’s Book (The Sun Goes on a Holiday)

2011
The Knee-High Book Competition, honourable mention (The Sun Goes on Holiday)