Meet Canizales
We’d like to introduce you to Canizales, the author-illustrator behind our story “Grande”.
@canizales_books is a true master of children’s literature. In his work you’ll find engaging stories with bold and original messages that are brought to life with delightful illustrations.
Born and raised in Colombia, he migrated to the island of Mallorca in Spain on an illustration scholarship, and he has since been on a non-stop mission to communicate big, important messages to small humans. “Sometimes people speak to kids as if they don’t totally ‘get it’. However, children perceive and understand things, even if they can’t yet talk about them.”
His stories address complex subjects that are part of modern life and are not often addressed in illustrated children’s books. Witches and ogres explore the social pressures to be prettier, Little Red Riding Hood learns about inclusivity and tolerance, a bear wrestles with consumerism, a boy feels the many aspects of migration, a little stone perseveres to achieve dreams that seem impossible to obtain; and tropes of classic fairy tales are turned on their heads to produce fresh new ideals.
Canizales has already been translated into ten languages and has been distributed by small and big publishers worldwide.
His award-winning work is of tremendous importance to children growing up today, and we are honored to be collaborating with him.
Edu and Raquel are the professors behind Apila Ediciones, a publishing house that specializes in beautiful children’s books meant to delight big and small through their topics and exquisite illustrations.
We are admirers of Apila's work and their unique and inspiring mission to identify and support new talented illustrators, and provide a platform to kickstart their careers!
