★ Rights sold to China!
★ This book features the original texts of Leo Tolstoy’s three most brilliant works of children’s literature: “Diving,” “The Rescue Dog,” and “The Shark.”
★ Mikhail Bychkov, an illustrator twice nominated for the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award and recipient of the title of one of the world’s finest illustrators, has infused Tolstoy’s three greatest children’s literary works with fresh visual life through his extraordinary imagination and artistic mastery.

For more than 15 years, the world’s great writer and thinker, a classic figure in Russian literature, Leo Tolstoy, devoted himself to creating a monumental work for children. Every word was carefully chosen as he used the simplest, most accessible language to convey the profound meanings of his work.
From this masterpiece, St. Petersburg artist Mikhail Bychkov selected the most moving and unforgettable stories, weaving them together into a vibrant, colorful narrative that traces a globe-trotting journey, inviting readers to join the adventure.
As they travel alongside Tolstoy’s protagonists, young readers will discover many priceless treasures: kindness, courage, and bravery.

[Author] Mikhail Bychkov
One of Russia's most outstanding contemporary illustrators and artists, renowned for his exquisite artworks, particularly his remarkable contributions to book illustration, and a recipient of numerous prestigious national and international awards!
He has participated multiple times in the Biennial of Illustrations Bratislava (BIB) and has served as the chairman of the IBBY jury for the St. Petersburg branch of the BIB International Children's Illustration Biennial for over a decade!
His works are regularly exhibited in museums and libraries and are preserved in Russian museums such as the Dostoevsky Museum, the Tolstoy Museum, and other Russian museums, as well as in private collections in Russia and abroad.
In 2020, the renowned Russian documentary filmmaker Evgeny Gorinkin produced the documentary "Return to Childhood," which focuses on creators of children's books, with Mikhail Bychkov as one of the key figures!
In 2021, Mikhail Bychkov was awarded the Gold Medal—the highest honor for artistic achievement in book illustration—by the Union of Artists of Russia!
In 2020 and 2021, he was nominated as a candidate for the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, an award in the field of children's literature that is considered on par with the Hans Christian Andersen Award!
From April 12 to May 20, 2023, the exhibition "Mikhail Bychkov: Illustrations and Books" was grandly held at the Russian State Children's Library, featuring several top Russian artists, including Igor Oleynikov, winner of the Hans Christian Andersen Award for Illustration!

Mikhail Bychkov was born in 1951 and graduated from the Secondary Art School affiliated with the I.E. Repin Academy of Arts in 1969. From 1970 to 1973, he studied in the mural studio of the I.E. Repin Academy of Arts under Professor A.A. Mylnikov. In 1975, he graduated from the Book Graphics Department of the Leningrad Branch of the Moscow Polygraph Institute. Since 1982, he has been a member of the Union of Artists of Russia. Since 2011, he has served as the chairman of the IBBY jury for the St. Petersburg branch of the BIB International Children's Illustration Biennial.

Bychkov's illustrative style is typically characterized by its meticulous attention to detail and vivid expressiveness, bringing the plots and characters in texts to life for readers. Having grown up reading classic works, he approaches creating illustrations for these classics with both reverence and trepidation, producing page after page of artistic masterpieces. Before creating his works, he not only carefully reads the original texts but also delves into the literary and historical contexts, studying even the smallest details before picking up his brush. Bychkov respects tradition while daring to innovate; his illustrations are delicate, refined, and beautiful. The timeless exotic charm in his oil paintings seems to leap off the canvas, perfectly blending art with literature. This not only enriches readers' sensory experience but also deepens their understanding of the emotional, cultural, and historical backgrounds of literary works, greatly influencing how readers perceive and appreciate these works as a whole. Mikhail Bychkov is committed to creating illustrations that possess literary value. He believes that in children's books, the artist's task is to create a world filled with kindness, love, and confidence, showcasing the beauty of the material world created by human hands, and fostering children's love for books, beauty, and the diversity of nature.

Bychkov's work is not limited to book illustration; he has also participated in numerous art projects and exhibitions, theatrical productions, museum exhibitions, educational programs, and various cultural and artistic activities. His artistic style and techniques have earned widespread acclaim and recognition both domestically and internationally, making significant contributions to contemporary Russian art. Several of his works, including "Diving•Rescue Dog•Shark," "The Sea," "Childhood," and "The Silver-Hoofed Goat," have already been licensed for publication in China!

[Awards and Honors]
1997—Silver Medal for Illustration at the Moscow International Book Fair!
2002—Honorary Certificate from the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY)!
2002—Included in IBBY's list of the world's best illustrators!
2003—Awarded the "Book of the Year" prize at the All-Russia "Illustrator Writer Competition"!
2004—Awarded the Annual Book Prize by the Russian Publishers Association!
2004—Awarded the Honorary Medal at the 2nd Independent Graphic Biennial in St. Petersburg!
2005—Awarded an Honorary Certificate by the Russian Academy of Arts!
2006—Winner of the "Best Book of the Year" competition by the Russian Publishers Association!
2006—First Prize in the International Art Competition for Books among CIS Countries!
2008—Awarded the Literature and Arts Prize by the St. Petersburg Government!
2013—First Prize in the "Image of the Book" category ("Best Illustration for Children and Adolescents") at the Russian International Illustration and Book Design Competition!
2013—Awarded the Certificate for the Best Book of the Year by the Jury of the Leningrad Children's Reading Club!
2014—Awarded the Marshak Literary Prize—“Artist of the Decade”!
2015—Awarded the Certificate for the Best Book of the Year by the Jury of the Leningrad Children's Reading Club!
2015—Grandly honored by the St. Petersburg State Academic Institute of Fine Arts!
2016—Awarded the Certificate for the Best Book of the Year by the Jury of the Leningrad Children's Reading Club!
2020—Nominated for the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award—one of the world's largest awards in children's and teenagers literature!
2021—Awarded the Gold Medal for Achievement in Book Illustration by the Union of Artists of Russia!
2022—Nominated for the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award—an award in children's literature considered on par with the Hans Christian Andersen Award!
April 2025—Mikhail Bychkov will be awarded the Silver Medal of the "Outstanding Figure" by the Russian Federal Academy of Arts for his book illustrations! This medal is awarded to individuals who have achieved outstanding accomplishments in the field of Russian art!