About

 

Tiiu Kitsik

Author & Illustrator

I work across a wide range of mediums, blending digital tools with traditional materials such as oil pastels, colored pencils, and watercolors. Text is the heart of a picture book, while the illustrations bring it to life and give it its soul.

Alongside creating my own books, I thrive on collaborating with other writers and organizations, finding immense joy in shared creativity. I am always happy to chat, connect, and explore new collaborative opportunities.

Creative Experience

  • 2016 – Present | Freelance Author and Illustrator

  • 2011 – Present | Editorial Illustrator & Contributor (Magazines & Newspapers including Hea Laps, Täheke, Mesimumm, Müürileht, Pere ja Kodu, Gecko)

Selected Bibliography

As Author & Illustrator

  • 2025 | Jooksvad ninad ja teisi talvejutte – Tänapäev Publishing House

  • 2025 | Riidesse – Koolibri Publishing House

  • 2025 | Vennad – Varrak Publishing House

  • 2025 | Aardejaht – Puänt Publishing House

  • 2024 | Päkapikk ja hambahaldjas – Koolibri Publishing House

  • 2024 | Meie tee – Päike ja Pilv Publishing House

  • 2024 | Me kolime ära – Tänapäev Publishing House

  • 2023 | Jalad – Koolibri Publishing House

  • 2023 | Musterpere – Koolibri Publishing House

  • 2022 | Emil, Sass ja kivimutukad – Koolibri Publishing House

  • 2020 | Herkülo büroo – Koolibri Publishing House

  • 2019 | Krokodilli saba – Koolibri Publishing House

  • 2016 | Lepatriinu täpid – Miimik Publishing House

As Illustrator

  • 2025 | Suur digiseiklus – Pegasus Publishing House

  • 2025 | Seest siiruviiruline (Text by Tiina Laanem) – Pegasus Publishing House

  • 2024 | Muri mure (Text by Indrek Koff) – Koolibri Publishing House

  • 2024 | Maailma parim liivaloss (Text by Tiina Laanem) – Pegasus Publishing House

  • 2024 | Kust tulid muinasjutud? (Text by Epp Petrone) – Petrone Print

  • 2023 | Omad jutud 4 (Text by various authors) – Tallinn Central Library

  • 2020 | Inspektor Telinski, kummisuti ja kaikki ülejäänud (Text by Hugo Vaher) – Koolibri Publishing House

As Author

  • 2022 | Mirjami palett – Tänapäev Publishing House

  • 2022 | Kes seal on? – Koolibri Publishing House

Acknowledgments & Awards

  • 2026 | Official Selection, Everybody Reads (Iedereen Leest) Annual Children’s Book Contest (Belgium)

  • 2026 | Brandenburg State Science Award | Co-facilitator and guest expert on the impact of illustration in communicating economic concepts for the University of Potsdam seminar “Discover the World of Economics” (Germany)

  • 2026 | Good Children’s Book 2025 | For Seest siiruviiruline (Estonia)

  • 2026 | Good Children’s Book 2025 | For Riidesse (Estonia)

  • 2025 | The White Ravens Catalogue Selection | International Youth Library, Munich, for Me kolime ära (International)

  • 2025 | Good Children’s Book 2024 | For Meie tee (Estonia)

  • 2025 | Good Children’s Book 2024 | For Maailma parim liivaloss (Estonia)

  • 2025 | Finalist, Põlvepiku Book Competition | For Uudishimulik Ines (Estonia)

  • 2024 | Karl Eduard Sööt Children’s Poetry Public Award | For Musterpere (Estonia)

  • 2024 | 2nd Place, Children’s Story Contest “Minu esimene raamat” | For Me kolime ära (Estonia)

  • 2023 | 2nd/3rd Place, Põlvepiku Book Competition | For Meie tee (Estonia)

  • 2023 | EKGL Special Prize, Five Most Beautiful Estonian Children’s Books | For Jalad (Estonia)

  • 2022 | Winner, Five Most Beautiful Estonian Children’s Books | For Emil, Sass ja kivimutukad (Estonia)

  • 2019 | 1st Place, II Salon International Illustration Festival (International)

Exhibitions

  • 2026 | Out of The Book | Group Exhibition, Neurotitan Gallery, Berlin

  • 2026 | Mycology, or the Secret Life of Fungi | Group Exhibition, Sztuki Gallery, Poland
  • 2026 | Children’s Rights: Protected Through Stories | Group Exhibition, United Nations Headquarters, New York

  • 2025 | Mycology, or the Secret Life of Fungi | Group Exhibition, Estonian Children’s Literature Centre (ELK), Estonia

  • 2025 | Cittadini Creativi / Creative Citizens | Group Exhibition, Estonian National Museum (ERM), Estonia & Bologna, Italy

  • 2025 | Terves kehas terve vaim | Group Exhibition, Estonian Children’s Literature Centre

  • 2024 | Haapsalu Graphic Design Exhibition | Group Exhibition, Haapsalu Cultural Centre, Estonia

  • 2023 | VII Tallinn Illustration Triennial | Group Exhibition, Estonian Museum of Architecture

Professional Memberships & Education

Memberships

  • Illustratoren Organisation e.V. (Germany) | 2021 – Present

  • Estonian Association of Graphic Designers | 2024 – Present

  • Picturebooks Berlin | 2025 – Present

Education

  • 2016 | EKA Open Academy | Book Illustration Course

  • 2004 | University of Tallinn | Bachelor’s Degree in Advertising and Media