Big and Small

Grande y pequeña brings us closer to the life, from childhood to old age, of a woman who is curious and creative, free and empowered, sensitive and authentic; an exciting journey from her childhood home in the forest to the city, and back to her roots. Art has marked her path and also gives encouragement to a man in need who settles in her house when the protagonist has shrunk so much that even the neighbourhood has forgotten her existence.
The work stands out for its poetic, emotive and evocative style, in which narrative silences are introduced to enhance the visual story. The illustrations immerse us in a changing atmosphere that ranges from the warmth of domestic settings to the freshness of open spaces. They are highly lyrical and expressive images, with a restrained use of colour that contrasts with the treatment of black and white.

Key points

2026 – Illustrations by Raquel Catalina selected as Finalists in the Bologna Children’s Book Fair Illustrators Exhibition
2025 – XVIII Compostela International Prize for Picture Books

• It raises profound questions about life, the passage of time, and our place in the world.
• It appeals to the reader’s interpretation, inviting them to construct their own meaning from the metaphorical language.