Marta Bartolj (1979) is an illustrator and author. She received her master’s degree from the Academy of Fine Arts and Design in Ljubljana (ALUO). Her master’s thesis, also published as a book titled Every Little Kindness, received the ALUO Student Award, the Special Prize for Outstanding Wordless Picture Book at the Kristina Brenkova Awards, and the Golden Pear Rating. The book was also included in the White Ravens selection and the biennial IBBY Silent Books Collection, placed on the IBBY Honour List, and shortlisted for an Ananas Illustration Award at the Beijing International Book Fair. The American edition of Every Little Kindness, to which eight publishers around the world have already acquired the rights, was bestowed the 2022 Ezra Jack Keats Award Honor, was shortlisted for the illustration exhibition at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair, and was displayed as part of the BRAW Amazing Bookshelf. In 2021 it ranked among the 20 best books of the year on Amazon, and among the ten best books of the year in People Magazine. In 2024 her illustrations for her silent book Are We There Yet? were shortlisted for an exhibition at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair. She participates in exhibitions in Slovenia and abroad.