Kertu Sillaste

Children’s stories

Kertu Sillaste (born 24 October 1973) is an artist and children’s writer.

She was born and attended school in Tallinn and studied textile design at the Estonian Academy of Arts and tapestry at the Duperré School of Applied Arts (École Supérieure des Arts Appliqués Duperré) in Paris. In the master’s studies at Tallinn University, Sillaste acquired the qualifications of an art teacher. She has worked as an artist at Tallinn Central Library, since 2014 she has been the head of the art chamber of the Estonian Children’s Literature Centre. Sillaste is the secretary of the Estonian department of the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY).

Sillaste has received numerous awards as both a book illustrator and author. For example, in 2011, Pannkoogiraamat (‘It’s Pancake Time’, 2012), a cookbook for young children won the third prize at the children’s book competition Põlvepikuraamat (The Knee-High Book Competition). In 2015, the first place in the same competition was awarded to her for Igaüks teeb isemoodi kunsti (‘Everyone Makes Art Their Own Way’, 2016), which takes a look at the world of art like Mina olen kunstnik (‘I Am an Artist’, 2018) and Mina olen illustraator (‘I Am an Illustrator’, 2024). In 2015, Sillaste’s book about a brave hare, Ei ole nii! (‘No, It Isn’t So’) received a diploma of the Five Best-Designed Estonian Children’s Books and a special award from the Estonian Graphic Designers Association, the Raisin of the Year Award, and the title Hea lasteraamat (Good Children’s Book). It also received the White Ravens Award in 2016. In 2022, Kõige ilusam seelik (‘The Prettiest Skirt’, 2019) received the IBBY award; in 2019, it was also awarded a certificate of merit of the 25 Best-Designed Estonian Books.

The wordless book Appi! (‘Help!’, 2021) conveys a story about helping and noticing the need for help, offering the freedom to interpret the story based on the images.

A. K. (Translated by I. A.)

Books in Estonian

Books for children
Lapsed, sööma! Maitsvat toitu laiast ilmast. Tallinn: Ajakirjade Kirjastus, 2008, 78 lk
Pannkoogiraamat. Tallinn: Päike ja Pilv, 2012, 26 lk
Ei ole nii! Tallinn: Päike ja Pilv, 2015, 47 lk
Igaüks teeb isemoodi kunsti. Tallinn: Päike ja Pilv, 2016, 35 lk
Mina olen kunstnik. Tallinn: Koolibri, 2018, 31 lk
Kõige ilusam seelik. Tallinn: Koolibri, 2019, 24 lk
Loomakesed läksid linna. Tallinn: Hea Lugu, 2019, 36 lk
Appi! Help! Tallinn: Koolibri, 2021, 28 lk
Pisikeses majas. Tallinn: Päike ja Pilv, 2022, 32 lk
Väike päkapikuraamat. Tallinn: Koolibri, 2023, 33 lk
Mina olen illustraator. Tallinn: Koolibri, 2024, 31 lk