Stories that inspire courage and imagination

Children to believe, be brave, and make a difference

Katya Carrington is an author and illustrator based in Abu Dhabi.

She creates stories and illustrations that help children see the magic in the world, believe in themselves, and feel inspired to take their own small, brave steps.

Her work is inspired by real life — real people, real moments, and the quiet, almost unnoticeable details that often hold the most meaning.

This is a space to explore her books, follow her journey, and step into the worlds she creates.

My Story

Katya Carrington grew up surrounded by nature — fields, quiet spaces, and the kind of stillness where nothing was overlooked and every small detail felt important.

From an early age, she was drawn to the idea that there is never just one world. She noticed the worlds of animals, the quiet life of insects, and the way everything around her was constantly moving with life. She would often sit and observe for long periods of time, simply watching, noticing, and……..

Katya Carrington outdoors in nature
Learn more
Woman sitting at a table outdoors with pamphlets titled 'Lucky', a small plant, and a candle holder. Behind her is a glass building with reflections of trees and a painting inside.
A collection of watercolor-style illustrations on paper depicting people and animals, including a woman with cats, a man with a cat, a woman and a woman, and various cats in different poses.
A white and orange kitten crouching behind a rusty metal wheel and pipes, peeking out from behind a cardboard box, on dirt ground.
Two orange and white kittens lying on a gray and black striped blanket inside a white foam box, with green ivy leaves and wooden slats in the background.
A watercolor drawing of a cardboard box with a white and orange cat resting inside, next to a handwritten note saying 'Lucky' with hearts. The box has black wheels at the bottom and a yellow object at the corner.
Watercolor painting of a fox walking through a landscape with trees and a sky, with the title 'Lucky' by Katya Carrington on the cover.
A woman holding a book titled 'Lucky' with a cover illustration of a red fox and a village scene, standing in front of a background of stacked books. The image includes text about a friend who wrote and illustrated her own book inspired by a rescued
Painting of a fox lying in the grass among green leaves, with detailed fur and expressive eyes.
A watercolor painting of a cat's face with large ears, nestled in green grass with a light background.
Colored pencil drawing of two cats, one larger orange tabby with green eyes holding a tennis ball, and a smaller orange and white kitten with blue eyes, along with a blue paw print.
A person holding a small canvas painting of a fox with a background of trees and purple flowers, outdoors in a garden with green bushes and grass.
A small ginger cat sitting among green leafy plants and bushes on a patio, with a barbecue grill and a cardboard box nearby.

Client Reviews

There are few books in this modern age that can truly gather a family as in days of old; but Lucky has done just that in our home. From the very first pages, Katya Carrington’s storytelling cast a gentle spell over our household, drawing in all five of our children, from the tender age of four to our eldest at sixteen. Each evening, without fail, we found ourselves nestled together, reading two chapters aloud, utterly captivated…

— Samir

We’ve read Lucky a few times now and really love it. Finley connected with it straight away — such a gentle story with a strong message about kindness to stray cats in the Middle East. The fact that Katya Carrington wrote and illustrated it makes it even more special. Beautifully done ❤️

Kathryn

Lucky is a simple but heartwarming emotional story about rescue, trust and second chances. Through patience and compassion, the story shows how a single act of kindness can completely change a life, creating a deep and lasting bond between human and animal. A warm, uplifting read for anyone who loves animals.

— Irina

Fresh on my Instagram

I believe in doing things differently—with intention, with passion, and with people at the center of it all. Every detail here reflects that mindset.