Illustration has the power to transport us into different worlds, and for Princess Kabeya, a talented motion graphic designer and illustrator, it’s an opportunity to create meaningful connections.

Princess was recently commissioned to illustrate one of Mikhulu Trust’s newest wordless picture books, A Walk in the Park. Spotted through her work with Book Dash, she brings a dynamic and adaptable artistic style that perfectly captures the expressive storytelling needed for a book without words.

Princess’s love for art began at an early age. “I’ve been drawing since I was a child,” she shares. “My mom would drop me at my best friend’s house, and they’d find me with paint all over the walls!”

Originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Princess moved to Cape Town at 18, where she faced the challenge of learning English while adjusting to a new education system, and yet, she excelled. She completed high school at Abbott’s College before earning a graphic design degree at AAA School of Advertising. Later, she pursued her growing interest in animation, balancing work and studies to refine her craft.

A Walk in the Park is a delightful story about four moms and their children enjoying a day out at the park. The group starts with a picnic before the children explore the slides, jungle gym, swings, and seesaw. Each child is different—one is shy, while others are adventurous and want to play independently, without their moms being too involved. The moms are present and engaged, but give their children the freedom to explore and have fun.

The book is targeted at children aged 1-3, who are in the midst of learning many new words. The book helps parents introduce words for a range of new items, actions and emotions experienced by the moms and toddlers in the book.

For Princess, illustrating A Walk in the Park brought back reflections of her own childhood.

“What inspired me most is seeing kids spending time with their moms in a safe space,” she shares. “Growing up in Congo, we didn’t have local parks – we mostly played at home, where it felt safer. That’s why illustrating a setting like this felt really special. It shows what it’s like to feel safe outside, with your parents close by and your friends around you, just enjoying the day.  I love seeing kids in spaces where they can just be themselves, surrounded by people they trust.”

Unlike many illustrators who develop a signature style, Princess thrives on versatility. “I don’t have one set style—I can do everything,” she explains. “I adapt my illustrations based on what fits the story best.” Whether it’s abstract, geometric, or a fusion of multiple styles, she tailors her approach to the needs of each project.

Her favourite mediums include digital illustration, pencil drawing, and gouache, though digital remains her go-to for most projects.

Illustrating a wordless picture book like A Walk in the Park requires a different approach compared to books with text. “With words, the text helps guide the story, and illustrations can be more abstract or even unrelated at times,” Princess explains. “But in wordless books, the illustration does all the storytelling. Every image needs to be expressive and clearly communicate what’s happening.”

Princess’s artistic journey has been fuelled by her deep love for storytelling in all forms—from film, anime and cartoons to the locally illustrated books that captivated her as a child. Today, through book illustration, she brings the same magic to young children, helping them experience the wonder of stories without words.

As A Walk in the Park makes its way into homes and book-sharing sessions, her work will play a crucial role in helping children develop language, curiosity, and creativity—all while strengthening bonds with their caregivers.

Mikhulu Trust is proud to have partnered with such an inspiring and talented illustrator to bring this book to life!

We would like to thank Adrie Haese from the University of Pretoria’s Department of Information Design for her assistance in managing the illustration process.