Victoria Tentler-Krylov

I am an architect and picture books illustrator and author, as well as an editorial illustrator. My passion is for introducing kids to architecture and cities via inspiring, memorable picture books.

As a children’s book illustrator, I work with such major publishers as Candlewick, Schwartz & Wade, G.P. Putnam, Scholastic, Dial, Abrams, and Holiday House. My first author-illustrator book, Building Zaha: The Story of Architect Zaha Hadid, represents my artistic achievement to date. It received several starred reviews and was selected as Editors’ Pick for Amazon’s Best Non-fiction For Kids. It also won the International Contest ‘Image of the Book’ in the category ‘Best Illustrations for Non-Fiction’.
The art from my books was selected for the Original Art Show at The New York Society of Illustrators in 2020 and 2021, and Bologna International Book Fair. I have presented at the Society of Children’s Books Writers and Illustrators and received Honors Award at their Illustrator Showcase in 2017, and a Grand Prize in 2019.

As an editorial illustrator, I work for such clients as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Boston Globe, The Washington Post, Endless Vacation, Cricket Children’s Magazine, and British Chemistry Education. My first two covers for The New Yorker came out in 2022.

I am inspired by fantasy and possibility that is found in cities, especially those cities that are near and dear to me: New York, St Petersburg, and Venice. All three are situated on the water and are rooted in the interplay between water and urban spaces. What makes capturing them magical for me is using watercolor. I love to travel and I am never without my paints, sketchbook or Ipad. I paint and sketch everywhere and my travel experiences inspire my ideas and get incorporated in future books.