Cara Knuutinen

Cara Knuutinen (b. 1965) is a Helsinki-based children’s book illustrator and Master of Arts (University of Art and Design Helsinki) who has worked as an illustrator for over 30 years. She has illustrated more than 20 children’s books, as well as numerous children’s nature books and textbooks, and has worked as an illustrator on two animated television series for children.

Knuutinen is also an author-illustrator and has created two of her own children’s books, Molly och Kelenken and Saparo Kärsämö. She has a long-standing collaboration with author Sanna Sofia Vuori.

Her work has been exhibited in both solo and group exhibitions. The illustrations in Piilolaakson talvi (2008) were nominated for the Rudolf Koivu illustration Prize. The picture book Leijona tulee (2022) was nominated for the Finlandia Junior Prize. Knuutinen’s warm, expressive, and narrative illustration style is rooted in strong visual storytelling.