Hi, I’m Cristina.
I’m an author and illustrator with a secret … I’m in love with an island!

Yes, I’m obsessed with Salina, one of the seven islands of the Aeolian archipelago located just off the north coast of Sicily. I’ve been visiting there each year for the past ten years, dreaming, writing, photographing and illustrating. It’s such a magical place, I’ve been inspired to write and illustrate two children’s picture books, For Love and Stregalina. But that’s only the beginning, I have so much going on and I can’t wait to share all of it!

About me

New Release
November 2023!

Yay! My second children’s book, Stregalina, has been printed, shipped and is ready for general release in November 2023. This is a gorgeous story that teaches children that being slightly odd may just be the greatest gift of all!

Stregalina

For Love –
Children’s Book of the Year Awards, 2022

In 2022, I was so thrilled to learn that my first children’s picture book, For Love, was shortlisted for the Children’s Book of the Year awards. This is what the judges had to say: This is a very assured first book. The illustrations enhance the story line… the choice of medium and style is original… and the wonderful design make this book stand out from other entries in this category.

For Love

Watch a glimpse of For Love now!

See what Andy Lee
has to say about For Love!

By the way, I also design Andy Lee’s Do Not Open This Book series!

Andy’s books are so popular that they have been sold into 32 countries. Here’s me picking up a few copies in Italy!

Do Not Open This Book series

Love Eolie

Published for the exhibition From Volcanoes, We Sailed that was held at the Immigration Museum of Victoria, Love Eolie celebrates everything Aeolian.

Love Eolie

And these are the islands that I’m in love with …

Amazing, right? Now, let me tell you a little about the Aeolian Islands …

Just off Sicily's northeastern coast, the Unesco-protected islands of Vulcano, Lipari, Salina, Panarea, Stromboli, Filicudi and Alicudi bask under the Mediterranean sun in an expanse of crystal azure waters. These seven volcanic islands comprise the archipelago known as the Aeolian Islands which is named after the Greek god of the winds, King Aeolus.

Follow me on Instagram.

Stregalina works her magic and away she flies, passing Stromboli on her way to the other side of the world! #childrensbooks #picturebooks #childrensbookillustration #illustration #watercolour #Stromboli #Salina #isoleeolie #sicily #aeolianislands #ma

After a days work and misadventures, Carina is glad to be riding her donkey home again. The final page of For Love. Available @dymocksbooks #childrensbooks #childrensbookillustration #picturebook #newrelease #storytime #salina #aeolianislands #isolee

This will be my next book, Stregalina, The Little Witch! This is only a rough so it may change. #illustration#childrensbooks #picturebook #bookcover #stregalina #witch #stromboli #aeolianislands #salina #forlove #inlovewithanisland

Here are the two characters from my book, For Love - Carina and her father, Matteo who live in a humble house with white-washed walls, a cane-thatched roof and a round window that faces the eternal sea. #forlove #childrensillustration #picturebook #d

Saying goodbye to Nonna as she joins Nonno in their celestial home on the top of Monte Fossa del Felchi, Salina. This came from a dream I had where Nonno as a spirit appeared to me and told me he was preparing the house for Nonna’s arrival. Acr

Stregalina chants ‘Vento, sopravvento, portami a Spartivento!’ Will it make her boat fly? Based on old folklore of Aeolian witches who stole fisherman’s boats, enchanted them and flew to the mainland, Sicily and Africa. #childrensbo

The gorgeous Pia Miranda and fellow descendant from the Aeolian Islands at the launch of For Love. No wonder Pia won Survivor in 2019... she has Aeolian blood and her relatives learnt how to survive at the foot of a volcano!!! My sincerest gratitude

To the most wonderful readers of For Love, Bernard Caleo as Matteo and the sweetest Layla who read for Carina, I thank you from the bottom of my heart for bringing the tender relationship between a loving father and his inquisitive daughter to life!

Carina wakes to a bowl of goats milk and bread offered by her papà, Matteo. They didn’t have Kellogg’s Coco Pops back in the day on the island of Salina, Sicily! Illustration from my new book, For Love. Available from Dymocks and R

By the light of the moon, relatives celebrate. #salina #acrylicpainting #illustration #stromboli #aeolianislands #isoleeolie #timeflies #forlove

Just popped into Readings Kids in Lygon Street, Carlton and look what’s in store!!!! Yay!!! #forlove #inlovewithanisland #readingskids #readingscarlton #salina #childrensbooks #childrensbookillustration #aeolianislands #isoleeolie #stromboli #s

The magic of Stromboli and Salina. Detail from an illustration from Stregalina. #illustration #childrensbookillustration #childrensbooks #stromboli #salina #aeolianislands #watercolour #isoleeolie #stregalina #forlove

My first launch event at the Museo Italiano was totally booked out! What a wonderful evening. So many happy faces feeling the love! So grateful to everyone that attended and bought ‘For Love’! As always, it’s my pleasure. #forlove #

Song sung blue, everybody knows one! We all need more colour in our lives. Missing the Aeolian Islands and all of its colours. #filicudi #doors #aeolianislands #isoleeolie #stromboli #coloursofsicily #salina #inlovewithanisland #wunderlust #sicily #i

Did you know that snails exist for love? What magnificent things come in the guise of the ordinary. Luckily Matteo knows all about them! Another illustration from my new book, For Love. Out soon - May 1st at all good bookstores! #childrenillustration