Marina Michaelidou-Kadi is a children’s book author and an advocate for peace, justice, and the enironment. She is also the mother of two children.

She was born in Limassol, Cyprus, in 1976. Her interest in understanding human behavior and her love for the natural world, led her to study psychology at Boston University and later receive a PhD in natural resources policy and management, with a minor in cultural anthropology, from Cornell University.

Today she is a leading voice in children’s literature in Cyprus, known for her short but powerful stories that promote peace, compassion, and environmental consciousness, inspiring children to become agents of change. Drawing from the volatile history of her own country, but also from other parts of the world, her books highlight the senselessness of war and conflict, touching upon themes of migration and uprooting, social isolation and loss, environmental degradation, and animal exploitation.

Her work has been honored with multiple awards and distinctions, including the National Literature Award for Young Children (2025, 2018, 2013), the Peter Pan Prize of Sweden 2016, the White Ravens Catalogue of the International Youth Library of Munich (2025, 2019, 2017, 2014), and the IBBY Honor List 2016. She was also nominated for the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award 2026.

Awards and Distinctions

• Nominated for the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award 2026.
• Cyprus National Literature Award for Young Children 2025, 2018, 2013.
• Selected for the White Ravens catalogue of the International Library of Munich 2025, 2019, 2017, 2014.
• International Limassol Book Fair Award 2023 (given to a Cypriot author for their significant contribution to children’s literature).
• Cyprus IBBY Honorary Award 2018 (given to female authors for their significant contribution to children’s literature).
• IBBY Honor List 2016.
• Peter Pan Prize of IBBY Sewden 2016 (given to a foreign/translated book for children with artistic and contextual qualities).
• Children’s Book Award by the Cyprus Bibliographical Society 2011.
• Shortlisted for the Cyprus National Literature Awards for Young Children 2021, 2019, 2018, 2015, 2012, 2011 and for the Greek IBBY Picture Book Awards 2016, 2015, 2013.