Once upon a time, a magical elephant traveled around the Earth, taking on the characteristics of everything it encountered―sand, trees, clouds, and even a teacup. At the end of the elephant’s long journey, it transforms one final time into a colorful village where today life is quiet and wonderful.

Author

Shige Chen is a member of the Committee on Children's Literature for the China Writers Association and is one of the Ten Excellent Young Writers selected by the Children's Literature magazine. He has received many awards including the National Outstanding Children's Literature Award, Bing Xin Children's Literature Award, and the Shanghai Excellent Children's Book Prize.

Illustrator

Yinzhi Qin is a graduate of the Academy of Fine Arts at Shanghai University and has created illustrations for many picture books and children's magazines. Her works have won the National Illustration Award, Bing Xin Children's Literature Book Award, and many others.

The story depicts a little elf who lives in the mountains and bravely fights fire-breathing monsters in order to protect her little animal friends, and uses the power of jewels and love to restore the burned forest to its beautiful appearance.

Author

Li Yao, Silence Book Contest Winner, which comprises five manga, each depicting children's profound encounters with nature. These narratives are imbued with a touch of autobiography, reflecting the illustrator's own childhood, steeped in a deep admiration for the natural world and artistic expression. Through traditional Chinese ink art, the illustrator captures the sublime and enchanting essence of Mother Nature, painting vivid landscapes of mountains, trees, the sun, and the sky that come alive on every page.

"Flying" tells the story of a young boy named Xiao Tu, who dreams of flying like variousobjects and imagines encounters with characters like Sun Wukong, dragons, and immortalsIn one such fantasy, a dragon's breath soaks his sister returning from school, the clothes hismother dried, and even his father. With the help of Sun Wukong, the boy pushes away the darkclouds, bringing smiles to everyone's faces...

Author

Li Yao, Silence Book Contest Winner, which comprises five manga, each depicting children's profound encounters with nature. These narratives are imbued with a touch of autobiography, reflecting the illustrator's own childhood, steeped in a deep admiration for the natural world and artistic expression. Through traditional Chinese ink art, the illustrator captures the sublime and enchanting essence of Mother Nature, painting vivid landscapes of mountains, trees, the sun, and the sky that come alive on every page.

Summary

This story is about a six-year-old human girl's adventure in a magical forest as she searches for her younger brother. Along her journey, she meets enchanting creatures like the Multi-eyed Dog Sun, Meteor Cat Ika, and Pink Dolphin Philo, who become her friends and help her in the quest.

As the girl delves deeper into the Raven Forest, she encounters the strange little creatures that inhabit this fantastical realm. Each encounter leads her closer to her brother, and she learns valuable lessons about friendship, courage, and determination.

Finally, after a series of exciting and heartwarming adventures, the girl Luhua and her newfound friends locate her brother Lucao. With a joyful reunion, the children realize the magical forest has taught them unforgettable memories and has left an everlasting mark on their hearts.

However, leaving the forest was not as simple as it seemed. Finally, with the assistance of their companions, the human children departed from the enchanting Raven Forest.

Author: Lu Yizhou

Illustrator: An Bu Lu Ma

Selected in dPICTUS 100 outstanding picturebooks 2023

Summary

The series of 3 books consists of minimalistic illustrations that all work in pairs, and readers have to do just two things: breathe un, and breathe out.  Through this breathing process, children and readers of all ages will feel  　– blowing out candles on a birthday cake, watching fireworks, a rabbit hop, and other small (or not so small) activities in their daily lives.  

This is a very unique wordless picture book that is ingeniously simple and therapeutic. 

Author

Hu Yifan is a picture book artist and visual designer. She earned a MA in picture book design from the Central Academy of Fine Arts. Breathe In, Breathe Out, was her award winning graduation project, earning a place at the museum at the academy. Breathe In, Breathe Out has continued to win many awards domestically, such as the BIBF Ananas International Illustration Exhibition.

Summary

Once upon a time, a child was born with skin as white as snow, lips as red as blood, and hair as black as ebony: the princess Snow White. She is the representation of beauty and innocence…

BUT,

What would the acclaimed artist Tian Ziqian create when subverting the classic visual image of “Snow White”? What would happen if the “Princess” figure is freed from the societal definition of femininity?

These are exactly the questions the artist wished to explore through the book The Hundred Faces of Snow White, a story of a girl possessing boundless vitality and potential, and because of her uniqueness and courage, SHE IS A PRINCESS!

Rights Sold: Japan, Singapore, France

Author and illustrator

Tian Ziqian, a picture book artist who is from Chongqing, China. She graduated from the Picture Book Creative Studio at the China Central Academy of Fine Arts in 2020. In 2021, she was admitted to the Illustration Department of Tama Art University in Japan for postgraduate studies.

Color is synonymous with her. In her daily life, she enjoys wearing clothes of various colors; in her artistic creations, she likes to use a vibrant palette. Through the bold use of color, she conveys optimism and passion for life to everyone.

Description

Stay here, with nature; Stay here, with everyone; Stay here, with you and me!

The author describes the public area in three separate scenes: the lawn, the ski resort, and the walking path, providing readers with a series of fascinating images of human life. This collection of books introduces children to public spaces and helps them develop public awareness.

Author and illustrator

Tian Ziqian graduated from the Picture Book Studio program at the Central Academy of Fine Arts in 2020. She then continued her studies at Tama Art University, one of the top art universities in Japan. Her picture book “Mr. Sun's Shop” was shortlisted for the Xinyi Picture Book Award in 2020, and also won an Excellence Award at the Japan Children's Illustration Award in 2022

Once upon a time, there was a king who lost a finger while hunting. When his minister consoled him by saying, "Everything happens for the best," the king, irritated by this, had the minister thrown into prison. Shortly after, the king went hunting again, and it was during this trip that his missing finger ended up saving his life. This experience made the king realize the unpredictability of life and the truth in his minister's words: "Everything is the best arrangement."

The use of watercolours and ink in the artwork harmoniously blends to create a fresh, elegant, and understated style. This complements the central theme of accepting life as it comes and finding peace in every situation.

Summary

In a small town named Chimney Town, each resident has a chimney atop their head, from which yellow smoke emerges when they're happy and blue smoke when they're sad, painting the sky above the town in vibrant colors. One day, a bird egg accidentally falls into the chimney of a little girl named Congcong. To protect the egg, Congcong even held back her own smoke, but her face kept getting redder and bigger! Can Congcong keep her emotions in check to safeguard the egg? This narrative explores a child's innocent clumsiness and brave perseverance in protecting a bird egg, while metaphorically comparing chimneys to emotional outlets, conveying to children the importance of expressing and releasing their feelings.

Author

Lin Yaqi, a graduate of the 2023 Central Academy of Fine Arts Picture Book Studio, won the first prize for her work “Chimney City” in the Central Academy of Fine Arts graduation design competition. Her other design works have previously received the first prize in the Central Academy of Fine Arts and Lenovo IP Design Competition. Her words include “Oracle Bone Inscriptions Picture BookL Matters on the Face“.

Summary

This is a story with a big ship as the protagonist. From the past to the present, from spring to winter, the big boat that used to be the pride of the fishing village is now docked at the port and watching the change of seasons and times in silence.

The story cleverly designs the big boat as a witness of the small fishing village that has been transforming into a modern metropolis, and the development of people’s lives. That is, until,one day a typhoon hits the city and the Big Ship finds itself crucial to the residents again...

Author and Illustrator

Huang Xiaoheng is an author of children’s book, Superintendent of Primary School Attached to First Normal University; Senior Teaching and Researcher of Qingmiaohui Education Group.

Gui Tuzi, illustrator, artist, who is a winner of the Golden Pinwheel Young Illustrators Award in 2019. She formerly studied animation, then gradually shifted her focus towards illustrating for magazines and picture books.

Product Details:

48 pages - Nov 2019 285 x 285 mm Ages 3+ Rights Sold: Italian Language

In Mr. Bear’s class, everyone learns to write 1. Crab writes a horizontal 1, and Mr. Bear says it’s sleeping. Ant writes a tiny 1, and Mr. Bear says it’s playing hide-and-seek. Turtle writes very slowly, and Mr. Bear says don’t worry, it’s growing! Everyone writes 1 in their own way, and Mr. Bear likes them all!

Selected in 2022 Bologna Illustrators’ Exhibition 2022 Chen Bochui Children's Literature Award (Illustration)

White Raven 2022 Award (Part of the 2022 Catalogue!)

Summary

The young animals living in a dark mushroom forest are all scared of the night.

Whenever night falls, their cries can be heard throughout the forest. One day, upon hearing that a famous elephant, Ah-Whoo, who can eat absolutely anything is nearby, Mama Bear requests him to swallow the entire night. The forest becomes immediately bright as day, much to the animals’ joy. However, without the night, the animals become tired without sleep and end up yawning all day long in the forest. What should they do then?

The wild idea of this book, along with the looseness, vivid colors and textures will be sure to thrill its young readers.

Author and Illustrator

Bai Bing is a famous children's literature writer, editor-in-chief of Jieli Publishing House. His works have won many awards, such as Book Award of Chinese Government for Publication, National Award for Outstanding Children's Literature, Bing Xin's Children's Literature New Book Award and Chen Bochui Award for Children's Literature,etc. His works If and Writing to the Clouds, published by The People's Education Press, has been selected into the Chinese language textbooks for primary and middle schools.

Shen Yuanyuan, a famous children's book illustrator, graduated from the China Academy of Art in 1982. She was awarded the Small Pine Tree Prize for illustrations for Abraham's Cherry Class by CBBY and the Best Picture Prize for her pictures in The Blue Rabbit at the 7th National Exhibition of Book Design. She has also won the Award of the Best Children's Book in Bologna Children's Book Fair for twice and Golden Apple Award BIB in 2015.

Product Details:

32 pages - May 2018 250 x 230mm Hardcover Age: 3 - 6 Rights Sold: English (North America and UK) , South America, Nepal, Taiwan, UK

Summary

There are all kinds of monsters living on Monster Mountain, including a monster whose feet are very smelly. He often takes out his feet to let other monsters smell, and upon doing so, a big headed monster comes up with a good idea. What if they collect different odors using socks and sell it to the human kids living at the bottom of the mountain? After all, they like strange things. Read to see how the monsters' new business will turn out!

Author and Illustrator

Sun Yu Born in Zhoushan, Zhejiang Province, now lives in Hangzhou. She graduated from Zhejiang Normal University, majoring in world literature and comparative literature. She has a master of Arts in children's literature, and won Bingxin Children's Literature New Work Award, Bingxin Children's Picture Book Award. Her works include children's novels and picture books.

Zhong Yu Zhong Yu loved painting since her childhood and now lives in Hangzhou. She is engaged in children's illustration and writing sometimes. More than ten picture books have been published.

Product Details:

40 pages - Oct 2019 206 x 181mm Hardcover Ages 3-6 Rights Sold: Korea

Summary

On May 5th of the Lunar Year, a girl receives a lantern from her uncle and in the evening she plays it together with their friends. This is the last night the friends go out to play with their lanterns.

Lantern-playing is a custom in Shanxi Province of China. This book depicts the girl looking forward to selecting her own lantern　– to light it up, burn it, extinguish it, back to the renewed expectation of next year, what expresses a disinclination for the loss of tradition. Snow, village, lantern, child, joy are painted in the picture, and the smell of the year flashes in the lantern. It is a Chinese - style New Year's wish to everyone!

Author and Illustrator

Wang Yage was born in Shaanxi, a central and historical province of China, where the custom of playing with lanterns was once a popular Chinese New Year tradition. A doctor of classical Chinese literature, she teaches at the University of Tibet and also writes for children. Playing with Lanterns is her first picture book. First published in China, the book made the prestigious White Ravens international book list.

Product Details:

40 pages - Apr 2020 241 x 241mm Hardcover Ages: 3+ Rights Sold: English Worldwide, Korea, France, and Brazil

Yulu (Rain Dew) is a girl who loves painting. When she paints on a canvas originally meant for a famous painter, her self-portraits keep melting. However, Yulu preservers, and after numerous attempts, she finally receives the approval of the canvas. This book depicts metaphorically the struggle and reconciliation between the little girl and the canvas, and her ultimate breakthrough as a talented painter.

Fiction, 3+

Format: 217 x 308 1mm

Pages: 48

Published: 2020

First edition simultaneously published in Mandarin, Korean and Japanese.

English & French, (Worldwide), Spanish (Chile), Portuguese (Brazil) rights sold, all other rights available.

The Yulu Linen is dedicated to all children who persist in their dreams.

Reference

Summary

Your hand , My hand , Their hand tells a story about an ordinary family, who are skilled uniquely in some works, such as traditional farming, haircutting, computer programming, etc.

They keep creating a happy life with hands, no matter in the past or present. Through depicting the life of ordinary people, the author tells children to face themselves in earnest and inspire a strength what promotes them to establish a beautiful life attentively.

Author and Illustrator

Liu Ben was born in the 1980s. He has worked as a picture book author and editor since graduated.

The illustrator He Qian depicts China's beautiful countryside and various workers with rich colors and shapes. Under his brushstrokes, every figure is full of personality and display a lovely sense of well-being that is achieved by their tool of trade — their hands.

Product Details:

32 pages Nov 2017 198 x 274mm Hardcover Age: 3+ Rights Sold: All rights available

Summary

This story is an adaptation of literature Nobel laureate Mo Yan's short novel 'Da Feng'. In order to supplement the family income, a young boy, Star, wakes up before dawn and goes with his grandfather to the meadow a few miles away to cut the thatch there. After a day's hard work, his grandfather has cut enough grass to fill a cart. But on the way back home that evening, Star and his grandpa run into a violent gale. They fight against the gale, but eventually the force of the wind blows the cart clean of all its grass, leaving only one blade left stuck by the axle. Star picks it up and throws it into the twilight.

The Gale is a vivid portrayal of Chinese rural scenery. It illustrates the day from dawn to night with all the subtle changes. Readers will feel the vigor and power of wilderness even if they have not actually walked into this lush meadow.

Author:

Mo Yan is the winner of Nobel Prize in Literature 2012. His first piece of work was published in 1981. His novel, Red Sorghum Clan, had published in 1986, later been made into a film and won the Golden Bear at the Berlin Film Festival. He is also the first and only Chinese writer to win Nobel Prize in Literature. In addition, he has also won the French Knights of Art and Literature and many other awards.

Mo Yan is the vice president of China Writers Association, and the winner of Nobel Prize in Literature in 2012. His first piece of work was published in 1981. His novel, Red Sorghum Clan, published in 1986 created a sensation in Chinese literature. This novel was then made into a film called Red Sorghum, and won the Golden Bear at the Berlin Film Festival. His work has garnered him multiple awards such as the Nobel Prize in Literature, Mao Dun Literature Prize, Newman Prize for Chinese Literature, Prix Laure-Bataillon etc.

Illustrator

Zhu Cheng Liang has been nominated twice for the the Illustrator Award of Andersen Award, a winner of the Bologna Children's Book Fair, and he's the first Chinese picture book to be distinguished in the prestigious “Best Picture Books” list issues by the New York Times (2008).His work "Reunion" has won the first prize of Feng Zikai Children's Picture Book Award. At the end of the same year, English rights was sold to Walker Books UK.

His picture book A New Year’s Reunion was included in the New York Times Best Illustrated Children’s Books of 2011.

Product Details:

44 pages - Mar 2021 210 × 285mm Hardcover Age: 4 - 8 Rights Sold: English Worldwide

Summary

The protagonist, a small tree, grows into a big tree. This big tree grows even bigger and earns its title, "The King of the Trees." "The King of Trees" attracts more and more tourists, and the small town eventually becomes a large city. However, one day, the tree's roots start to destroy the houses. The citizens begin to fear how big “The King of Trees” will become...

With the tree as our protagonist, the story tells the struggles between human and nature, as well as reflections on industrialization and urbanization.

Author and Illustrator

For more of Dawu’s works, click here to visit his author page.

Product Details:

44 pages - Sept 2019 240 × 240mm Hardcover Age: 3+ Rights Sold: Mexico (Spanish)

Summary

There are 20 birds on the tree, five birds fly away at first, and then four birds fly away aher... Why does this father take himself as a bird and try to fly like the birds for his son over and over again? In this simple story picture book, the father's immense love and paience for his son will deeply impress readers.

Author and Illustrator

Wei jie is an award-winning poet. Being one of the most important children’s poet in China, she has published more than 30 picture books. In 2011, her comprehensive poetry brought her China’s major award on Children’s literature, The Chen Bochui Children’s Literature Award.

He Yunzhi was born in Taipei in 1962. She began to illustrate children’s picture book from 1984.

Product Details:

40 pages - Feb 2012 210 x 285mm Hardcover Ages 3-6 Rights Sold: Korea

From the Strolling Triology series: “© by Da Wu & Beijing Poplar Culture Project Co., Ltd.”