Gabi Swiatkowska facts for kids

Gabi Swiatkowska (born 1970) is a talented artist, musician, and author from Poland. She is famous for illustrating and writing children's books. Her work has been recognized with many important awards.

Two of her books have been named ALA Notable Books. One book she illustrated, My Name Is Yoon, even won the special Ezra Jack Keats Award. It is also on the New York Public Library's list of 100 Great Children's Books.

About Gabi Swiatkowska

Gabi Swiatkowska was born in Tychy, Poland. When she was fourteen, she started studying art at the Lyceum of Art in Bielsko-Biala. At sixteen, she moved to New York City in the United States. There, she continued her art education at the Cooper Union School of Art.

She has illustrated many children's books. One of these is A Not Scary Story About Big Scary Things. She also wrote and illustrated her own book called Queen on Wednesday. The book Infinity and Me, which she illustrated, was a 2013 ALA Notable Children's Book. It was also named a New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Book in 2012.

Today, Gabi Swiatkowska lives in the south of France. She often shows her paintings and sculptures there. Besides her art, she is also a musician. She used to be a singer, songwriter, and played upright bass in a band called Tildon Krautz.

Awards and Recognition

Gabi Swiatkowska's books have won many awards. These awards celebrate her amazing illustrations and storytelling.

Awards for Infinity and Me

This book, written by Kate Hosford and illustrated by Swiatkowska, received:

• 2013 American Library Association Notable Children's Books
• 2013 Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year
• 2012 New York Times Best Illustrated Children's Book
• 2012 Caldecott Medal Nominee (meaning it was considered for a very important award)
• 2012 Junior Library Guild Selection

Awards for My Name is Yoon

This book, written by Helen Recorvitz and illustrated by Swiatkowska, earned:

• 2008 Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year
• 2004 Ezra Jack Keats New Illustrator Award
• 2004 IRA Notable Books for a Global Society
• 2004 American Library Association Notable Children's Books
• 2003 Child Magazine Best Books of the Year
• 2003 Nick Jr. Family Magazine Best Books of the Year
• 2003 School Library Journal Best Book of the Year

Other Notable Awards

Gabi Swiatkowska has also received other important awards for her work, including:

• The Book Award for Best Children's Literature on Aging for Elementary Readers (2008)
• Booklist Editors' Choice (2007)
• National Association Parenting Publications Gold Award (2007)
• Show Me Readers Award winner (chosen by children in Missouri, 2007)
• Young Hoosier Book Award winner (Picture Book category, 2007)
• Nevada Young Reader Award (Picture Book Category, 2007)
• Washington Children's Choice Picture Book Award (2006)
• Zena Sutherland Award for Best Text, Illustration and Overall Picture Book (2005)
• School Library Journal Best Book of the Year (2005)
• Outstanding Science Trade Book for students K-12 (2005)
• Cooperative Children's Center Choices Award University of Wisconsin-Madison (2005)
• Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year (2005)
• Chicago Public Library Children's Books recommended list- Best of the Best (2003)
• New York is Book Country Festival- Bookmark Choice Book (2003)
• USA Today – favorite books for children and young adults (2003)
• Oppenheim Portfolio best book award, and toy portfolio (2002)
• Smithsonian Magazine Notable Book (2001)

Books by Gabi Swiatkowska

Here are some of the wonderful books Gabi Swiatkowska has created.

Books Written and Illustrated by Her

• Queen on Wednesday (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2014)

Books Illustrated by Her

• Mary Cassatt: Extraordinary Impressionist Painter (Henry Holt & Co., 2015)
• Please, Papa by Kate Banks (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2013)
• Thank You, Mama by Kate Banks (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2013)
• Infinity and Me by Kate Hosford (Carolrhoda Books, 2012)
• This Baby by Kate Banks (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2013)
• A Not Scary Story About Big Scary Things by C.K. Williams (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 2010)
• The Earth Shook by Donna Jo Napoli (Disney-Hyperion, 2009)
• Yoon and the Jade Bracelet by Helen Recorvitz (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2008)
• The Golden Rule by Ilene Cooper (Harry N. Abrams Books, 2007)
• Waiting for Gregory by Kimberly Willis Holt (Henry Holt & Co., 2006)
• Yoon and the Christmas Mitten by Helen Recorvitz (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2006)
• Summertime Waltz by Nina Payne (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2005)
• Arrowhawk by Lola M. Schaefer (Henry Holt & Co., 2004)
• My Name is Yoon by Helen Recorvitz (Farrar, Straus and Giroux, 2003)
• Hannah's Bookmobile Christmas by Sally Derby (Henry Holt & Co., 2001)