This is a poetry collection inspired by various sounds.

Unlike other common poetry books—where each poem stands alone and parallel to the others— Little Beasts Dwell in the Sounds carries an implicit narrative that weaves through its verses. After reading the poems, Thea quickly realized that she should let the images become part of the narration rather than being decorations, allowing them to gradually reveal the hidden narrative along with the text. When you read this book, you may find that it unfolds like a three-act play composed of both visuals and words. With each page turn, one act fades down, and another begins.

Xiangmei LONG (writer): a writer from Hunan province, China. Her works are filled with vivid imagination inspired by her childhood memories. Xiangmei also captures the nostalgia of growing up in the countryside of central China, and the connection between humans and nature. She has been awarded in multiple awards and competitions, including the Chen Bochui Children’s Literature Award and the Octoberkids Literature Award.

Thea LU (illustrator): a talented illustrator and picturebook maker from Shanghai, China. She graduated from Tsinghua University with an MA in design strategy in 2015, then completed the MA in children’s book illustration at Cambridge School of Art, UK in 2021. Her work is often poetic, metaphorical, subtly humorous, and brimming with rich details and textures. Thea loves to explore new possibilities in visual expression and interaction. Her artworks have won numerous awards, including the Bologna Illustrator Exhibition winner, and the Golden Pinwheel Illustration Young Illustrator Competition finalist. Multiple projects were selected for dPICTUS Unpublished Picturebook Showcase jury’s favourites. Her picturebook, Here & There, was awarded as the New York Times Best Illustrated Children’s Book 2024. Another picturebook Dive, Dive into the Night Sea was selected into the longlist of the Carnegies Medal for Illustration 2025.

Publishing Time: Dec 2024

Dimension: 168 pages, 141×210mm

Age Group:

Rights sold: All rights available