Instituto Cervantes Library in colaboration with the Embassy of Chile presents the launch of Fantastic Forest by Sebastián Ilbaca.
Fantastic Forest, published in the UK by independent children’s publisher Book Island and originally in Chile by Ediciones Liebre, is a three-metre-long concertina picture book that invites readers into a richly detailed, wordless visual journey.
The London launch event, organised in collaboration with the Embassy of Chile and Instituto Cervantes, celebrates Chilean creativity and the growing cultural exchange between Chile and the UK, highlighting institutional support for Chilean artists abroad.
The evening will include an interactive storytelling experience for children, insights into Sebastián Ilabaca’s creative process, and a hands-on family workshop. The event will conclude with book sales featuring a special launch edition.
More than a book launch, the event represents a celebration of contemporary Chilean illustration, international collaboration, and the power of visual storytelling, while strengthening the cultural visibility of Chilean talent in the UK.
Sebastián Ilabaca is a self-taught illustrator and paper engineer, known for creating Chile’s first pop-up book and for his experimental approach to children’s illustration. Book Island is a UK-based independent picture book publisher specialising in international titles, and Ediciones Liebre is an award-recognised Chilean children’s publisher focused on early childhood literature.