Spanish Artist Amaya Arrazola, Author of ‘Totoro and I’ and Icon of Children’s Illustration, Passes Away

The Spanish art scene has suffered an irreparable loss: Amaia Arrazola, one of the most vibrant and recognizable illustrators in contemporary children’s and young adult literature, has died at the age of 41. Her name became synonymous with sincerity, color, and a unique perspective on the world—something she generously shared with her readers and audience.

Arrazola was born in Madrid, where she graduated from the Faculty of Advertising and Public Relations. She began her career in advertising agencies, but soon decided to dedicate herself fully to illustration. In 2010, the artist moved to Barcelona, marking the beginning of a new chapter in her creative journey. There, she quickly gained recognition as an independent illustrator, collaborating with publishers, creating books, murals, ceramic collections, and even clothing.

A special place in her work belonged to characters who teach acceptance—of oneself and of others. One of the most renowned is Simon the chameleon, who became a symbol of diversity and embracing differences. Arrazola was not afraid to tackle complex topics: her books explored emotions, respect, motherhood, and also the struggle with illness. In 2022, she created the large-scale urban mural ‘Diversity or Barbarism’ (Diversidad o barbarie), which became a major cultural event.

The artist found inspiration not only in Spain. In 2017, she spent several months in Japan, where she worked on the project “Amaia Was Here” and created the book “Totoro y yo”, dedicated to the work of Hayao Miyazaki. Her works often explored myths and traditions of different countries, as well as the theme of motherhood—for example, in the book “El meteorito”. Arrasola participated in charity initiatives, including a collection supporting women with cancer.

Her legacy is not limited to books but also lives on in vibrant murals across Spain and in creative mask-books for young children. In 2025, her final work, “La sabana”, is set to be published—a project she did not live to see in print. Even after her untimely passing, her art continues to inspire and delight both children and adults, opening new horizons for generations to come.