Illustrations, storytelLing and play
My picture books from 2011-2025
Storytelling
I believe that picture books can tackle even the most difficult topics when made with a playfulness and care that light up our curiosity. As such, they are both for kids as well as for adults. I think of a book as a fine instrument. It is art to make it, but it comes to life really in the hands and hearts of its readers. My first book was a collaborative adventure and it was published in 2011 with a second book in the series that received the prestigious The White Ravens -label of excellence. Since then 14 books have followed, and many of them are translated and published around the world amongst the countries are Canada, China, Korea, Japan, Poland and Spain.
A Little Big Story about Sorrow - picture book © Réka Király and Etana Editions, 2025
"An extraordinarily sensitive and beautiful picture book, it subtly depicts the impending death and grief of losing a friend. How wonderful that books for children are made with such skill."
– kirjavinkit.fi
Below: illustrations from different picture books from the series A Little Big Story
Various language editions of the first book in A Little Big Stroy series (2013-2025)
”The artwork is strong, modern, and attractive, with a dark palette that adds complexity to a fairly simple story line. This is essentially a vocabulary lesson, couched in the comfort of friendship.”
– School Library Journal, 2023
A Little Big Story about Sorrow, published by Etana Editions 2025 © Réka Király and Etana Editions
"These are delightful picture books in every way."
– kirjavinkit.fi
Archipelago - An Atlas of Imagined Islands, Edited by Huw Lewis-Jones (Thames & Hudson, 2019) / Copyright © Reka Kiraly and Thames & Hudson
“A captivating collection of fictional maps and illustrated worlds created by leading international artists and illustrators.”
– Goodreads
My Friend the Tree by Jenni Erkintalo and Reka Kiraly (Etana Editions, 2019) / Copyright © Jenni Erkintalo, Reka Kiraly and Etana Editions
"Textbook for children is delightfully loose, modern and informative, although slightly cumbersome. Detail-filled pages are at the same time readable and playfully warm coincideing with the fairytale illustrations. Children and grown-ups alike will enjoy this charming textbook."
– The Most Beautiful Book of Finland 2019 Jury
Playing & workshops
Play and playfulness is a central element in my work. So often an underestimated notion, playing is essential in exploring, understanding and learning one’s self and surrounding. Through my work I invite people to play again, and remember the enthusiasm with what they observed things when they were children. In the past 15 years I have developed and held workshops for children and adults in collaboration with other artists and illustrators.
Storycubes / Interactive Installation / Finland / Copyright © Reka Kiraly