★ Russian renowned artist Mikhail Bychkov, honored by IBBY as one of the world's best illustrators, presents a fresh rendering of world fairy tales and literary classics! The exquisite illustrations full of imagination and artistic accomplishment are the highlight of this series!
★ Winner of the first prize in the “Image of the Book” International Illustration and Book Design Competition in Russia (category: “Best Illustration for Children and Teenagers”)!
★ Recipient of the Leningrad Children’s Reading Club Jury’s Annual Best Book Certificate!
★ Multiple works by Mikhail Bychkov have been licensed for publication in China!

“Silver Hoof Goat” is a classic Russian folk tale from the former Soviet writer Pavel Bazhov. The Silver Hoof Goat is mysterious in its whereabouts, standing no taller than a table, with a small head and slender legs, and each of its horns has five branches. On its right front hoof, there is a silver hoof, and wherever it steps, gems appear. With one step, one gem appears; with two steps, two gems appear; and if it keeps stepping, then gems will pile up from under the silver hoof...
Many art award winner, renowned classic illustrator Mikhail Bychkov has created new illustrations for this book!

Mikhail Bychkov

One of the most outstanding contemporary Russian illustrators and artists, renowned for his exquisite artistic works, particularly for his prominent contributions in the field of book illustration, and a recipient of many domestic and international awards!
He has participated multiple times in the International Biennial of Illustration Bratislava (BIB), and for over a decade, he has served as the chairman of the IBBY jury for the Saint Petersburg section of the Biennial of Illustrations Bratislava (BIB)!
His works are regularly exhibited in museums and libraries, preserved in the Russian Museum, Dostoevsky Museum, Tolstoy Museum, other Russian museums and private collections, as well as in foreign collections.
In 2020, renowned Russian documentary filmmaker Evgeny Gorinkin filmed “Return to Childhood,” a documentary about creators of children’s books, in which Mikhail Bychkov was one of the key figures!
In 2021, Mikhail Bychkov received the Gold Medal, the highest achievement award in book illustration art, issued by the Russian Union of Artists!
In 2020 and 2021, he was nominated as a candidate for the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, which is considered in the children’s literature world to be on par with the International Hans Christian Andersen Award!
From April 12 to May 20, 2023, the “Mikhail Bychkov: Illustration and Books” exhibition was grandly held at the Russian State Children’s Library, with participation from multiple top Russian artists, including International Hans Christian Andersen Award-winning illustrator Igor Oleynikov!

Mikhail Bychkov was born in 1951 and graduated in 1969 from the Secondary Art School affiliated with the I.E. Repin Institute of Arts. From 1970 to 1973, he studied in the mural painting studio at the I.E. Repin Institute 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 Russian Union of Artists. Since 2011, he has served as the chairman of the IBBY jury for the Saint Petersburg section of the Biennial of Illustrations Bratislava (BIB).
Bychkov’s illustration style is often characterized by intricate details and vivid expressiveness, capable of bringing the plots and characters from the text to life for readers. He grew up reading classics and, when creating pictures for them, approached the task with reverence and trepidation, completing page after page of artistic works. Before starting his creations, he not only reads the original texts carefully but also studies the ethnic history in the literature, researching minute details before picking up his brush to begin. Bychkov respects tradition while daring to innovate in his creations. His illustration techniques are delicate, exquisite, and elegant, with the exotic charm of bygone eras vividly emerging from his oil paintings, perfectly combining art and literature. This not only enriches readers’ sensory experiences but also deepens their understanding of the emotional, cultural, and historical contexts of literary works, thereby greatly influencing readers’ overall grasp and perception of the literature. Mikhail Bychkov is dedicated to creating illustration works with literary value. He believes that in children's books, the artist’s task is to create a world of kindness, love, and confidence, to showcase the beauty of the material world created by human hands, to cultivate children’s love for books, and to foster admiration for beauty and the diversity of nature.
Bychkov’s works are not limited to book illustrations; he has also participated in multiple art projects and exhibitions, theater productions, museum exhibitions, educational programs, and cultural and artistic activities. His artistic style and techniques have received widespread acclaim and recognition domestically and internationally, making significant contributions to the contemporary Russian art world. Many of his works, such as “Diving·Rescue Dog·Shark,” “The Sea,” “Childhood,” and “Silver Hoof Goat,” have been licensed for publication in China!

[Awards and Honors]
1997 – Silver Award for illustration works at the Moscow International Book Fair!
2002 – IBBY Honor Certificate from the International Board on Books for Young People!
2002 – Included in the IBBY Honor List of the world’s best illustrators!
2003 – “Book of the Year” award in the All-Russian “Illustrator Competition”!
2004 – Annual Book Award from the Russian Book Publishers Association!
2004 – Honorary Medal at the Second Independent Graphics Biennale in Saint Petersburg!
2005 – Honor Certificate from the Russian Academy of Arts!
2006 – Winner of the “Book of the Year” competition by the Russian Book Publishers Association!
2006 – First prize in the International Art Competition for Books in CIS Countries!
2008 – Literary and Art Award issued by the Saint Petersburg Government!
2013 – First prize in the “Image of the Book” International Illustration and Book Design Competition in Russia (category: “Best Illustration for Children and Teenagers”)!
2013 – Recipient of the Leningrad Children’s Reading Club Jury’s Annual Best Book Certificate!
2014 – S. Marshak Literary Award – “Best Artist of the Decade”!
2015 – Recipient of the Leningrad Children’s Reading Club Jury’s Annual Best Book Certificate!
2015 – Solemn recognition from the Saint Petersburg State Academy of Art and Industry.
2016 – Recipient of the Leningrad Children’s Reading Club Jury’s Annual Best Book Certificate!
2020 – Nominated for the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award (one of the world’s largest awards for children’s and young adult literature)!
2021 – Gold Medal achievement award in book illustration art issued by the Russian Union of Artists!
2022 – Nominated for the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award (considered in the children’s literature world to be on par with the International Hans Christian Andersen Award)!