Ukrainian artist Muza to illustrate ‘stunning’ edition of Hargrave’s Girl of Ink & Stars

A gift edition of Kiran Millwood Hargrave’s bestselling debut novel The Girl of Ink & Stars has been announced by Chicken House, illustrated by Ukrainian artist Olia Muza who was forced to flee the conflict in her home country. 

Publishing in November 2022, the “beautiful colour edition” will also feature a brand-new epilogue from the author. 

When first published in May 2016 The Girl of Ink & Stars was selected as a Waterstones Children’s Book of the Month and has since won both the British Book Awards Children’s Book of the Year and the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize. It was also shortlisted for the Branford Boase Award and the Jhalak Prize, and has sold more than 250,000 copies in the UK, according to the publisher. 

Barry Cunningham, Chicken House m.d. and publisher, said: “As a work of outstanding inspiration and imagination, it seems only right that our very first fully illustrated edition of Kiran’s bestselling classic is created by the incredibly talented young Ukrainian artist Olia Muza.”

Olia Muza was born in Uman, Ukraine. After studying graphic design, two years ago she decided to try her hand at illustration. Since becoming an illustrator, she lived and worked in Kyiv until a few weeks ago when she was forced to flee the conflict. After escaping first to Romania, she has since arrived in Austria and found safe refuge.

Cunningham explained: “Now safely beyond the conflict zone, Olia was keen to finish, and Chicken House and Kiran are proud to publish this edition showing the breadth and beauty of her work.”

Kiran Millwood Hargrave is the author of three other books for Chicken House: The Island at the End of Everything, The Way Past Winter and A Secret of Birds & Bone. Her debut novel for adults, The Mercies (Picador), became a Sunday Times bestseller.  

She said: “The Girl of Ink & Stars was the first story I ever wrote, and to see it continue to find new life is such a joy. Olia Muza’s art sings – it’s so full of vibrancy, and to think of it being created in a warzone is incredibly humbling. I’m very grateful to her and to Chicken House for helping Isabella reach more readers.”