Bookstores Around The World

A bookstore is a place where you feel the magic. It’s also a place where you come to meet yourself and at the same time travel to other worlds.
With this book join the author on a journey to the most amazing bookstores around the world. We’ll visit bookstores inside a train station and a cathedral, a floating bookstore and a bookstore the size of a whole neighborhood, the oldest bookstore and the bookstore that only sells one book, first outdoor bookstore and the bookstore you can live in.
All of them keep memories they’re ready to share with you. After all, a bookstore is also a place where the most amazing stories happen (just like in the books).

The book will contain 24 bookstores. For 6 of them (Argentina, USA, Portugal, France, UK, Russia) more detailed historical spreads will be available. On these pages, we’ll learn something about the whole country and its history, not only the particular bookstore. For each of the remaining stores, there will be a spread with a big illustration expressing the spirit of the bookstore and its particularities.

Rights sold: Korean, simplified Chinese, German, world English and Greek languages

Awards and selections:

⭐Shortlisted for Bologna Illustrators Exhibition 2024 (Finalists List)

⭐Selected for The BRAW Amazing Bookshelf 2024

Publisher: Mile Books

MARIA IVASHKINA (author & illustrator) is an author and illustrator currently based in Sofia (Bulgaria). Graduated from the Moscow Institute of Architecture and completed a Master’s in Editorial Design, Maria founded her own publishing house, MILE Books. Now living and working in Bulgaria, she creates picture books that are not bound by age. Using watercolor and soft pastels, she strives to capture light, air, and the delicate atmosphere of a moment, feelings that resonate with both children and adults.

Maria’s books have been published in six languages. They have been included in the BRAW Amazing Bookshelf at the Bologna Book Fair, shortlisted for the Golden Pinwheel Award at the Shanghai Book Fair, included in the list of 100 Best Illustrated Books of the decade by the MORS Festival, and awarded at the Moscow International Non/Fiction Book Fair. She is a finalist of illustration exhibitions in Bologna, Shanghai, Belgrade and Moscow.