In Time

Written and Illustrated by Marina Ruiz
Published by Frances Lincoln Children’s Books, 2024

Follow the story of a little girl as she learns to slow down, be patient and appreciate that some things in life are worth waiting for.

When you’re little, the world can seem like a truly slow-moving place. Waiting for school to finish, staring at the clock, wishing it would move. Joining seemingly never-ending queues, urging them to speed up. Staring longingly at a hot cake baking in the oven. Jumping into bed, lying down and drifting off to sleep. Waiting can seem to last a lifetime.

As she slowly opens her eyes to the wonder of nature, she uncovers that some things are really worth waiting for. Animals wake from hibernation, seeds bloom into flowers, trees turn into forests and snails form beautiful, glittering trails.

Let’s Play Football!

Written by Ben Lerwill and illustrated by Marina Ruiz
Published by Welbeck Children’s Books, 2023

This lyrical non-fiction picture book celebrates the simple joys of football, whatever your background or ability. Rather than focusing on rules, skills, superstars, big clubs and record-breaking feats, this uplifting book for young children celebrates the planet's best-loved sport and shows how the world's most accessible game – where the only equipment needed is something that rolls – has evolved into a force for unity, and a sport for absolutely everyone. Spreads cover how football can be played by all ages, genders, and abilities, whatever your racial, cultural or economic background, and whether you’re in a state-of-the-art stadium or just a simple patch of scrubland.

Let’s go outside!

Written by Ben Lerwill and illustrated by Marina Ruiz
Published by Welbeck Children’s Books, 2022

The great outdoors are waiting, ready to be filled with excitement and imagination. Explore the fun that can be had outdoors in all weathers and count how many children have gone outside to play in this joyful celebration of imaginative play and the simple pleasure of spending time outside everyday... and cosying up indoors at the end of the day.

At the end of this simple and lyrical picture book are discussion prompts and outdoor activity suggestions, all ready for parents and children to say... LET'S GO OUTSIDE!

My Dad

Written by Susan Quinn and illustrated by Marina Ruiz
Published by Words and Pictures (Quarto), 2024

My Dad is a beautifully illustrated, stereotype-busting celebration of all the everyday things one child's dad does to make him so wonderfully, daddish-ly awesome!

He may not be a superhero, or an astronaut, or a secret agent… but my dad is still the best dad in the world!

From baking cookies and gardening to playing make-believe and watching the sunset, a child reveals all the simple yet wonderful things he loves to do with his dad.

With lyrical rhyming text and gentle illustrations, this is a joyous celebration of fatherhood which creates a special reading experience between a child and their father.

Hi there, Marina here, so lovely to meet you!

I am a Spanish illustrator based in Cambridge, UK. I moved here to join the MA in Children’s Book Illustration at Cambridge School of Art, which was such a dreamy life-changing experience! That was a few years ago, but I decided to stay here.

I love noticing the little moments and interactions that happen in everyday life and creating small narratives around them. I really enjoy working with lyrical and abstract narratives and my ideas often take this shape naturally.

I LOVE printmaking, and I always try to bring those magic textures and yummy colour overlaps into my illustration work.

In my free time, I’m happiest outdoors surrounded by nature and if you know some riddles you can keep me entertained for hours! Also, I think that there isn’t anything quite as magical as listening to live music!


Say hi at marinaruiz.illustration@gmail.com

Represented by Claire Cartey from HolroydeCartey.

Say hi!

marinaruiz.illustration@gmail.com