Children’s books are often our first exposure to the world of pictures. The first picture of a dog, a cat, a girl or a boy we see is likely to come from a book, the first house we drew was always based on one of the illustrations in a book. The images that accompanied bedtime stories or fairy tales read to us by our grandparents remain with us for life. Maybe that’s still the case for the little ones, before the world of smart devices catches up with them.

Luckily, we were lucky, so lucky! Estonian children’s books have always enchanted us with their beautiful illustrations. Straightaway, those of us who are now grandparents will remember the Snow White and the Valiant Little Tailor drawn by Siima Škop, or Raggie and the Three Jolly Fellows – Muff, Halfshoe, and Mossbeard – by Edgar Valter. We can proudly say that children all over the world are lucky, because Karlsson, the Bullerby children and Mardie were brought to life thanks to an Estonian artist.

During the book year, original illustrations of some of the most beautiful children’s books of the 21st century will be on display in front of the Hurt Hall in the pop-up exhibition area in Foyer A.

There were many to choose from, but the shortlist was narrowed down to the seven artists who had won the most prizes. The first of the three exhibitions featured illustrations by Katrin Erlich, Anne Pikkov, and Urmas Viik; currently, you can enjoy drawings by Piret and Jüri Mildeberg as well as Ulla Saar.

Curator and designer Reet Mark

Graphic designer Lauri Järvlepp (Bassein)

Open from 5 August to 26 October 2025.

Entry: Free

Exhibition "The most beautiful books from our childhood II"