Agnes Vahlund

Agnieszka Joanna Våhlund, professionally known as Agnes Våhlund, is a Polish-born Swedish illustrator, graphic designer, and children’s book creator. Born in 1985 in Warsaw, she began her career in graphic design and photo editing before dedicating herself full-time to book illustration in 2014. A lifelong enthusiast of comics and visual storytelling, Våhlund has developed a distinctive illustration style that combines dynamic action, expressive characters, and cinematic composition, making her one of Sweden’s most recognizable contemporary children’s illustrators.

Våhlund is best known as the illustrator and co-creator of the internationally acclaimed Handbook for Superheroes (Handbok för superhjältar) series, created with her husband, Elias Våhlund. While Elias writes the stories, the pair develop the series together, with Agnes bringing the characters and world to life through her vibrant illustrations. The books follow Lisa, a young girl who discovers a mysterious handbook that transforms her into the superhero Red Mask, exploring themes of bullying, courage, friendship, and self-confidence. The series has become a bestseller in Sweden, has been translated into numerous languages, and has received multiple awards, including recognition as Sweden’s Children’s Crime Book of the Year.

Beyond her illustration work, Våhlund has become an influential advocate for visual literacy and children’s reading. Through school visits, literary festivals, and public events, she encourages young readers to express themselves through art and storytelling. Her work demonstrates how illustrations can enrich narrative, foster empathy, and inspire confidence in children, securing her reputation as one of the leading illustrators in contemporary Scandinavian children’s literature.