We believe: children’s books can make the world a better place.
who we are…
Yan Chang Agency is a Shanghai-based children's book rights agency specializing in promoting diverse Asian children's literature globally through its "Pictures and Words from the East" initiative, with a particular focus on China. Founded by Solene (Fengbei) Xie, an accomplished professional with over 18 years of experience.
We connect creative minds globally by providing tailored publishing resources and dedicated rights management, fostering international collaboration in children’s literature.
What we do…
Project “Pictures and Words from the East”
Represents selected authors' and illustrators’ works from China and other Asian countries by attending international book fairs and curating events to showcase books at fairs, libraries, bookshops, etc., to promote the overseas copyright sales of the represented works.
Consulting & Curating Events
Providing expertise for the Shanghai International Children’s Book Fair (CCBF) since 2018, organizing children’s book salons for the Shanghai Children’s Library since 2023, and co-curating the Masterclass for Children’s Book Illustration with Pro Helvetia (2025-2026).
Rights Acquisition & Translation
Engaging in rights acquisition, translation with a strong emphasis on French children's literature and illustrators. Over 30 titles have been translated for the Chinese market since 2021.
Licensing & Exhibitions
Managing licensing for international illustrators, including exhibitions by acclaimed French illustrator Serge Bloch in China.
mEET OUR TEAM
SOLENE (FENGBEI) XIE
Founder/Foreign Rights Agent
Solene has more than 14 years of experience in the Children’s book industry. Among taking the lead in the Rights team at Jieli Publishing House (2008-2018), she has been a consultant for the Shanghai International Children's Book Fair since 2018 and has also translated many French picture books into Chinese. (For example, the "Babapapa” series.) Beyond dealing with book rights, she is an exclusive agent of French artist Serge Bloch’s exhibition and its merchandising rights in Mainland China.
Solene is fluent in English and French. She enjoys translating, gourmet food, and film.
helen wang
Translator/Consultant
Helen is a UK-based translator, editor, and consultant, focusing on Chinese children’s picture books, youth non-fiction, and fiction. She has translated Chinese children’s literature authors, including Wenxuan CAO, Beijia HUANG, Shixi SHEN, Haiqi LIU, and Wenjun QIN. In 2017, she won the Marsh Award for Translating Children’s Literature Award (UK) and Chen Bochui Special Contribution Award (China).
Christy Cho Kiu Fung
Associated Designer
Vena ouyang
Commissioning Editor
Vena enjoys reading picture books from a variety of cultures.
She graduated in Children’s Literature: Children’s Book Illustration from Goldsmiths, University of London in 2021. She is also an illustrator and picture book creator, who is curious and enthusiastic about the mysteries of nature. She loves to collect and make funny and fluffy stuffed creatures.
Christy is an illustrator and picturebook maker from Hong Kong, China, based in Guangzhou, China. She loves reading and creating picture books, as well as exploring nature and doing handcraft. She can speak fluently in English, Mandarin, and Cantonese.
She graduated from the University of British Columbia (Vancouver, Canada) in 2019 with a BFA degree, majored in visual art, and minored in Biology. After graduation, she attended illustration courses at Emily Carr University of Art and Design in 2019 and 2020. She also finished a certificate in Biomedical Visualization and Communication in 2021.
Contact us.
We’d love to hear from you.
Email: solene.xie@outlooks.com
Instagram: pictures.words.china