Illustrator of the Month [September 2023]

Lulu Edge is proud to present this month's Illustrator of the month: Olena Tolstokora, illustrator of Tendo and the Bug Wars.

---

Meet Olena Tolstokora

---

Working on Tendo and the Bug Wars as an artist was an absolute joy! The opportunity to bring to life a heartwarming story through my illustrations was incredibly fulfilling, and I cherished every moment of the creative process. It was a truly rewarding experience that allowed me to immerse myself in a world of imagination, all while knowing that my work would contribute to spreading positivity among young readers.

When I'm not working on illustrations, I enjoy playing video games and the ukelele!

---

Fun Facts About Olena Tolstokora

---

Place of Birth:

Ukraine

Fun Hobby:

Kayaking in the ocean with friends

Favorite Book and Author:

1Q84 by Haruki Murukami

Favorite Artist:

Yoshitomo Nara

Where She'd Like to Travel:

Peru

Favorite Movie:

Spirited Away

One Wish for the World:

Kindness

Favorite Quote:

"I'm gonna be the king of the Pirates. I don't want to conquer anything. I just think the guy with the most freedom in this whole ocean... is the Pirate King!"

Favorite Subject:

Literature

Greatest Role Model:

Vitaliy Kulikov, a Ukrainian artist, and the teacher who showed her how fun art can be

Favorite Animal:

Dumbo Octopus

Favorite Vegetable:

Potato

---

Olena's Most Recent Contribution to the Lulu Edge Family is Out Now!

---

Tendo and the Bug Wars

Haruto is a boy who has always modeled what his father taught him about bushido, the samurai code of courage, respect, honesty, honor, and loyalty. After moving to Tokyo with his family, he is nervous about being the new kid at his academy but gains confidence when he discovers something unusual and surprising from the train station’s vending machine that in Japan, symbolizes new beginnings.

But a run-in with the school bully results in a race and a challenge, that his new friend Emi tells him he must accept or else lose the respect of his classmates. The school’s reigning “baguchanpion” beats Haruto again and again…until Haruto is given a special gift from a mysterious shopkeeper. The gift unleashes magic that brings victories to Haruto, but at the high cost of losing sight of himself and what’s important.

VIEW FULL LULU EDGE LIBRARY

BUY NOW

---

Thank You to All Lulu Edge Partners!

---

This newsletter is brought to you by Lulu Edge and Fiverr. Every Illustrator on the Lulu Edge team, including Olena Tolstokora, was found on Fiverr. Freelancers from Fiverr have assisted Lulu Edge in designing content, building LuluEdge.com, and bringing updates such as these to readers like you!

I am able to do what I do, and bring joy to so many young readers, because of the amazing partners I have found on Fiverr.

Check out Fiverr if you are interested in building a team of your own!

FIVERR