In this illustration, Katarzyna Walentynowicz presents with her distinct sensitivity a story from a fantastic children’s world, inhabited by surprising characters and animals. A giant cat winks at us while carrying on its back a black-browed songbird, the heroine of the fairy tale. The artist is close to the world of animals and plants, which often appear in her drawings, depicted with characteristic, expressive lines.

This work is an original illustration for Erna Rosenstein’s book “The Shadow Hunter”, which won the grand prize in the 63rd edition of the PTWK competition for Most Beautiful Polish Books 2022 in the category of books for children and young people. The jury recognized the outstanding illustrations by Walentynowicz, which combined with the classic typography to create a beautiful and special book.

Magdalena Frankowska

“The Shadow Hunter” (Wolno and Foksal Gallery Foundation, 2022)