ABOUT
Maribel Castells is an illustrator, graphic designer, and art director based in Mallorca, Spain. Her work spans picture books, graphic campaigns, and editorial projects for clients in cultural and publishing sectors, and has been recognized and awarded internationally.
Driven by everyday observations and eclectic influences, Maribel’s lush visual worlds thrives on detail, textures, and gentle humor into layered compositions that reward a closer look.
When not drawing, she loves collecting ideas, reading, or walking outdoors. She also shares her passion for storytelling and picture books through teaching. Her workshop Creating Picture Books has reached over 1000 schoolchildren in Mallorca.
AWARDS & HONORS
2026. Longlisted – DPICTUS Unpublished Picture Book Showcase
2025. Longlisted – Hamburger Bilderbuchpreis (Germany)
2025. Shortlisted – Spanish Clel Bell Awards (USA)
2024. TOO GREEN! included in the Best Children’s Books of the Year in Spanish List (selected by Bank Street College for Education, USA)
2023. TOO GREEN! included in the CLPE’s Staff Picks selected by The Centre of Literacy in Primary Education, UK)
2024. Winner – Inclusive Books for Children Awards (UK)
2024. Member of the Jury. Ilustrofest Awards (Serbia)
2023. Winner – Ilustrofest Awards (Serbia)
2021. Finalist – 55th Illustrator’s Exhibition (Bologna Children’s Book Fair)
2020. Mentee at the PBChat Mentorship For Writers and Illustrators (USA)
BOOKS
No Hugs! (Barefoot Books, 2026)
Please Stay! (Barefoot Books, 2026)
Nola, c’est l’heure du bain (Arlequin Éditions, 2026)
Too Green! (Barefoot Books, 2023)
By Myself! (Barefoot Books, 2023)
Anem a caçar mòpies (Saïm Edicions, 2022)
Escrit a casa. Relats del confinament a Mallorca. (Mallorca Literària, 2020)
Contact:
info@maribelcastells.com
Children’s Book representation: McIntosh and Otis Literary Agency
cheschke@mcintoshandotis.com
dhunter@mcintoshandotis.com
