Mariya Doneva (1974) is a highly acclaimed and beloved Bulgarian poet and author of children’s books. With a remarkable career, she has published more than twenty titles, including poetry collections, short stories and children’s books. In addition to her writing, Mariya has translated over 50 titles from English to Bulgarian, with a significant contribution to introducing Julia Donaldson’s works to the Bulgarian readership. In recognition of her exceptional contribution she was honored with the Knight of the Book award by the Bulgarian Booksellers Association in 2022. Her work, Mice Visit the Opera, was shortlisted for the Peroto award for contemporary children’s literature. Adding to her accolades, Mariya was named the most read children’s author by the Sofia City Library in January 2024. Her poems have been translated into English, Russian, Farsi. In 2005 the poetry collection The Emptiness Between Us was published in Macedonian (Macedonia Prima).