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Piret Raud

Biography

Piret Raud (1971) is the most successful contemporary Estonian children’s writer and illustrator. She graduated from the Estonian Academy of Arts in graphic arts, and initially set off on the same path. After trying her hand at writing, Raud has since become the most renowned and widely-translated children’s author in Estonia. She has written 21 titles (eight of which were commissioned by Japanese, French, and British publishers), has been translated into 20 different languages, and has illustrated more than 50 titles. Her writing has received spectacular recognition both at home and abroad. She was included on the 2012 IBBY Honour List as writer and in 2018 as illustrator; in the 2010 and 2013 White Ravens catalogue; and was awarded the Estonian Order of the White Star, IV Class in 2016.

I illustrated other authors’ books for ten years, until one moment I decided to try my own hand at writing. I took part in a children’s manuscript competition and won. The manuscript became a book, which unexpectedly received very good reception. The path towards writing was opened. I truly enjoy my work. Room for goodness, for humour and happy endings can be found in children’s books. It is immensely revitalising and pleasant to spend a little bit of time every day in a friendly world of my own creation.

Profile photo: Piia Ruber

Once Upon A Time.... Z. Topelius. Of Taylor Who Sew Finland and Sweden Together, 2008, watercolour, pencilOnce Upon A Time.... Z. Topelius. Of Taylor Who Sew Finland and Sweden Together, 2008, watercolour, pencilPiret Raud. Mr. Bird's Story, 2009, ink, watercolourPiret Raud. Mr. Bird's Story, 2009, ink, watercolourPiret Raud. Mr. Bird's Story, 2009, ink, watercolourFish's Shoes, illustration, 2011, ink, watercolourPiret Raud. Three Wishes, 2012, ink, watercolourPiret Raud. Slightly Silly Stories , 2012, inkPiret Raud. Princesses with a Twist, 2013, inkPiret Raud. Princesses with a Twist, 2013, inkPiret Raud. Princesses with a Twist, 2013, inkPiret Raud. Princesses with a Twist, 2013, inkPiret Raud. Trööömmmpffff, or Eli’s Voice , 2016, ink, watercolourPiret Raud. Trööömmmpffff, or Eli’s Voice , 2016, ink, watercolourPiret Raud. Trööömmmpffff, or Eli’s Voice , 2016, ink, watercolour

Lopi and Lapi

Friedrich Reinhold Kreutzwald

Illustrator: Kadri Ilves etc...
Tänapäev
2008, 172 pp
ISBN: 9789985627198
fiction, storybook

Pätu

Astrid Reinla

Avita
2000, 43 pp
ISBN: 9985203798
fiction, picturebook
2023
Edgar Valter Illustration Award

2022
Hans Christian Andersen Award, nominee

2021
Edgar Valter Illustration Award, nominee

2020
Hans Christian Andersen Award, nominee

2019
5 Best Designed Estonian Children’s Books, Special prize from jury (Ear)
Nomination for Premio Strega Ragazze e Ragazzi
Good Children’s Book (Ear)

2018
IBBY Honour List, as an illustrator (Trööömmmpffff, or Eli’s Voice)
5 Best Designed Estonian Children’s Books, Special Prize from the Estonian Association of Graphic Designers (The Story of the Little House Who Wanted to Be a Home)
Good Children’s Book (The Story of the Little House Who Wanted to Be a Home)

2017
Good Children’s Book (All My Relatives)

2014–2017 Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award candidate

2016
Order of the White Star, IV Class
Hans Christian Andersen Award nominee
5 Best Designed Estonian Children’s Books, Certificate of Merit(Trööömmmpffff, or Eli’s Voice)

2015
Good Children’s Book (The Story of Sander, Muri, Eensy Mum, and the Invisible Aksel)

2013
The White Ravens (Three Wishes)
5 Best Designed Estonian Children’s Books, Certificate of Merit (Princesses with a Twist)

2012
5 Best Designed Estonian Children’s Books, Certificate of Merit, Prize of the Estonian Children’s Literature Centre (Three Wishes)
Good Children’s Book (Slightly Silly Stories)

2010
The White Ravens (Mister Bird’s Story)
5 Best Designed Estonian Children’s Books, Certificate of Merit (Emma Loves Pink)
Good Children’s Book (Tobias, Second Grade)

2009
III Tallinn Illustration Triennial, Honorary diploma of Estonian Artist’s Association
"Golden Book", special prize of the Estonian National Library to the most beautiful children’s book of the year
25 Best-Designed Books", Certificate of Merit
5 Best-Designed Children’s Books", Certificate of Merit


2008
5 Best-Designed Children’s Books", Certificate of Merit
Raisin of the Year Award


2007
Bologna Children’s Book Fair, Award for Excellence

2006
25 Best-Designed Books", Certificate of Merit

2004
5 Best-Designed Children’s Books", Certificate of Merit


2003
Tallinn Illustration Triennial, diploma

2002
25 Best-Designed Books", Certificate of Merit
5 Best-Designed Children’s Books", Certificate of Merit

2001
5 Best-Designed Children’s Books", Certificate of Merit

2000
5 Best-Designed Children’s Books", Certificate of Merit

1999
25 Best-Designed Books", Certificate of Merit
5 Best-Designed Children’s Books", Certificate of Merit

1998
Tallinn XI Print Triennial, G-Gallery and Tempera OY prize


1997
Eduard Sööt Prize for illustrations of poetry for children
Exhibitions in Estonia, Finland, Denmark, Sweden, Germany, France, Great Britain, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia, Russia, Italy, Spain, Iran, USA, Japan and Argentina.

Important Exhibitions:

2021
Bratislava Illustration Biennale (BIB 2021), Slovakia

2018
International Illustration Exhibition "Sea Fairytales", Estonian Children's Literature Centre

2017
Bratislava Illustration Biennale (BIB), Slovakia
International Illustration Exhibition "Sea Fairytales", art ship M/S Bibiana in Danish port cities: Skælskør, Korsør, Nakskov, Svendborg, Middelfart, Frederica, Aarhus, Helsingør, Copenhagen, Aarhus; originals: Marstal Sea Museum

2016

International Children's Book Illustration Exhibition "Le immagini della fantasia 33", I Bastioni, Merate, Italy

International Illustration Exhibition "Sea Fairytales", art ship M/S Bibiana in Danish port cities: Aalborg, Thisted, Nykøbing Mors, Hirtshals, Skagen, Sæby, Hals, Løgstør, Hadsund, Hobro, Aalborg, Copenhagen; originals: Aalborg Music House, Marstal Sea Museum





2015
International Children's Book Illustration Exhibition "Le immagini della fantasia 33", Casa della fantasia, Sàrmede, Italy
International Illustration Exhibition "Sea Fairytales", Marijo Gallery, Volkach, Germany; art ship M/S Bibiana in Danish port cities: Helsingør, Copenhagen, Samsø, Horsens, Kolding, Aarhus, Frederikshavn, Læsø, Grenå, Christianshavn, Odense, Book Fair BogForum, Bella Center, Copenhagen

2014
International Illustration Exhibition "Sea Fairytales", Szczecin Puppet Theatre "Pleciuga"; Kielce Museum of Cultural Dialogues; European Fairy Tale Centre, Pacanow, Poland

2013
Bratislava Illustration Biennale (BIB), Slovakia
Estonian Illustration Art Traveling Exhibition in Finland "Etelästä tuulee – Lõunatuul puhub", Children and Youth Art Centre Villa Arttu, Hyvinkää; Children’s Cultural Centre Toteemi, Vantaa; Children’s Cultural Centre Pessi, Vantaa; Vihti Parsonage; Forssa Library; Lauste, Numme, and Runosmäki Libraries, Turku; Tampere Main Library Metso; Children’s Cultural Centre ARX, Hämeenlinna
International Illustration Exhibition "Sea Fairytales", Tapa City Library; Harju County Library; Baltic Sea Cultural Centre, Gdańsk, Poland













2012
International Illustration Exhibition "Sea Fairytales", Pskov Art Museum; St. Petersburg Pushkin Children's Library; "Dialogue" Cultural Centre, Novgorod; Russian State Children's Library, Moscow; Krasnoarmeiski Art Gallery

2011
International Illustration Exhibition "Sea Fairytales", Estonian Children's Literature Centre; Haapsalu Cultural Centre; Vuojoki Manor, Eurajoki, Finland; Pärnu New Art Museum
Large Estonian Book Illustration Exhibition, Russian State Library for Foreign Literature, Moscow; Helsinki Book Fair, Finland

2010
Large Estonian Book Illustration Exhibition, Motišči Art Gallery, Russian State Children's Library in Moscow, Kolomna Cultural Centre "Ozerovi Maja", Krasnoarmeiski Art Gallery, Russia

2009
Bratislava Illustration Biennale (BIB), Slovakia
Tallinn Illustration Triennial (TIT)

2007
Bologna Children's Book Fair, Illustrator's Exhibition, Bologna (Italy), Japan, South Korea
Bratislava Illustration Biennale (BIB), Slovakia

2006
Tallinn Illustration Triennial (TIT)

2005
Bratislava Illustration Biennale (BIB), Slovakia

2003
Tallinn Illustration Triennial (TIT)

2001
Tallinn Graphic Triennial

2000
Vilnius International Book Art Triennale, Lithuania

1998
Tallinn Graphic Triennial
Kaliningrad V Graphic Biennale












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