Barbara Cantini
Born in Florence, after her studies in fine art at college, Barbara specialized in animation, and worked on different series for RAI, Italian public television, before turning to picture books. In 2011, she won the “Illustrator of the Year” Città del Sole Award, and has since dedicated her work entirely to book illustration. She has published with Italian and international publishers, including HarperCollins, Mondadori, Feltrinelli, Einaudi, Pearson, Rizzoli, Macmillan, and Top That! Publishing.
Her unique style, blending gothic and humor, gave birth to Mortina (Ghoulia), a zombie child who addresses profound themes such as identity and friendship in a lighthearted manner. Translated into 32 languages and adapted into a musical, Mortina has become a small contemporary classic.
Barbata has also created the Puffy and Brunilde series, which has been translated into 15 languages, as well as Quassotto! (Dussstbuddy!), in which imperfection and unpredictability are transformed into paths of growth and wonder. The protagonists are somewhat out of place and together find their way.
She lives in the Tuscan countryside with her husband, two daughters, three cats, and a shaggy dog. She buys lots of books, collects decorated cards, and loves chocolate, eggs in all forms, antique clothes, board games, vintage plays, and breaking the surface of a good crème brûlée. She is passionate about interior design, loves walking in the country, is crazy about cats, and casually practices yoga when she has the energy, the weather is nice, and the full moon is out!
Her life motto:
Books. Cats. Life is good. — Edward Gorey
Click here to read Barbara's Mini Proust Q&I (Question and Illustration) inspired by the Proust Questionnaire.
