iPendoring 2026 Finalists

Baba Yaga en die Dapper Meisie

AnéCloete / Stellenbosch + KarlienDe Villiers / Stellenbosch

Client / Brand
Itsy Bitsy Books

Entry Title
Baba Yaga en die Dapper Meisie

Description (View/Hide)
BABA YAGA

Baba Yaga is an illustrated children’s picture book adaptation of the classic Slavic folktale of Vasilisa and the fearsome witch who lives deep within the forest. The story is reimagined through bold characterisation, layered textures and richly patterned environments that balance humour, unease and fairy-tale darkness. Familiar elements of the original tale, including the enchanted doll, the house on chicken legs and Baba Yaga’s impossible tasks, are transformed into a visually playful narrative about courage, resilience and finding one’s way through the unknown. The book retains the strange, unsettling spirit of the traditional folktale while making it engaging and accessible for a contemporary young audience.

Entered In

AnéCloete / Stellenbosch + KarlienDe Villiers / Stellenbosch

Client / Brand
Itsy Bitsy Books

Entry Title
Baba Yaga en die Dapper Meisie

Description (View/Hide)
BABA YAGA

Baba Yaga is an illustrated children’s picture book adaptation of the classic Slavic folktale of Vasilisa and the fearsome witch who lives deep within the forest. The story is reimagined through bold characterisation, layered textures and richly patterned environments that balance humour, unease and fairy-tale darkness. Familiar elements of the original tale, including the enchanted doll, the house on chicken legs and Baba Yaga’s impossible tasks, are transformed into a visually playful narrative about courage, resilience and finding one’s way through the unknown. The book retains the strange, unsettling spirit of the traditional folktale while making it engaging and accessible for a contemporary young audience.

View More Entries

Ref Image
Finalist
Poppe met Visie
Chané Brits / Pretoria + Johann Smith / Centurion + Jané Celliers / Centurion
Silly Sally Publishing
Ref Image
Finalist
Werhu's Big Secret
Ntsako Ntimane / Johannesburg, + Greenside Design Center / Johannesburg,
Children's Book
Ref Image
Finalist
Hoe om te Herstel van te veel Omgee
Surafel Kifle / Johannesburg + Johann Smith / Centurion + Jané Celliers / Centurion
The New Yorker
Ref Image
Finalist
Ikati elimnyama neSigqoko salo somthakathi
Leyya Shoeb / Johannesburg, + Greenside Design Center / Johannesburg,
Children's Book