Emilia Dziubak

(b. 1982) – an illustrator and an author of comic books.

She graduated from the University of Fine Arts in Poznań. In her works, she enjoys portraying nature, both friendly and dark. She plays with light and often reaches for black humour. Her usual creative process involves digital tools.

Her debut was the critically acclaimed “Gratka dla małego niejadka” (A Treat for the Kid who Won’t Eat). This richly illustrated, humorous book tells young readers how to prepare tasty meals, lets them discover uncommon animals, verifies rumours concerning the private life of carrots, and gives them the chance to tackle interesting graphic exercises.

In her subsequent books the author takes on the theme of nature: forests, the world of plants and animals. “Rok w lesie” (A Year in the Forest, 2015) describes how nature changes throughout the year. “Opowiem ci, mamo, co robią dinozaury” (Mum, I’ll Tell You What Dinosaurs Do) is a tale of the adventures of Hairy – a likeable creature who ends up in a realm where he meets Riojasaurus or Tyrannosaurus rex. “Co budują zwierzęta?” (What Do Animals Build?) is a story about animal builders who could teach us a thing or two about architecture.

As an illustrator, Emilia Dziubak collaborated with the magazines “Przekrój”, “Art & Business”, “Wprost” and “Gaga” and publishing houses Fleurus, Bajka, Ezop, W.A.B., Egmont Polska, Albus, Media Rodzina, Mamania, Bis, Dwie Siostry and Nasza Księgarnia. She created illustrations to books by authors including Martin Widmark, Cornelia Funke, Mary Norton, Grzegorz Kasdepke, Joanna Maria Chmielewska or Sabine Bohlmann.

In 2014 she received the Literary Award of the Capital City of Warsaw for her illustrations for Przemysław Wechterowicz’s book “Proszę mnie przytulić” (May I Please Have a Hug). In 2017 she was awarded the Yellow Poulaine Award for illustrating Barbara Kosmowska’s book “Niezłe ziółko” (Reap What You Sow). She was the winner of the main prize in the competition for Best Children’s Book “Przecinek i Kropka”, the Soligatto Prize (2019), and was nominated for the Book of the Year Award by the Polish section of IBBY (2018).

A Treat for the Kid Who Won’t Eat was included in the list of the hundred most beautiful books in the world in the fourth edition of CJ Picture Book Awards.

More information about Emilia Dziubak’s work can be found on her website.