Overseas illustrators help Chinese literature to spread its wings

The cover for "A One Person Town" by Bai Bing, a renowned Chinese author of children's literature. [Photo Provided to China Plus]

Most of illustrated books on sale in China are imported from overseas. But one domestic publishing house is collaborating with illustrators from overseas in an effort to bring illustrated Chinese stories to audiences both in China and overseas.

At one time, up to 90 percent of the illustrated books on sale in China were imported from overseas. As a result, children have been largely unable to read high-quality original illustrated books that tell Chinese stories.

But the China Children's Press and Publication Group is determined to turn this situation around. Shen Lina is a director of international cooperation with the publisher. She believes that Chinese authors can write well, but that they lack the know-how to turn these original Chinese stories into well-illustrated books.

One of the ways the China Children's Press and Publication Group is tackling this problem is through cooperation with illustrators overseas. The result is that domestic readers get access to books that tell fresh stories that are culturally relevant. But more than that, these collaborations see Chinese stories published overseas. This brings original Chinese stories to a new global market of readers.

An example of this new approach can be seen in the spread of books written by Bai Bing, a renowned Chinese author of children's literature. Bai Bing is well-known for his titles such as "A Flight of a Bullet", "Daddy Don't Be Afraid", and "Baby Mouse". Now, his stories are being given a new lease on life thanks to illustrations by international artists.

The cover for "Big Uncle's Savage Island: by Bai Bing, a renowned Chinese author of children's literature. [Photo Provided to China Plus]

Several Iranian artists have teamed up with Bai Bing in an effort to tell his stories through the medium of graphic arts. These artists include Amin Hassanzadeh Sharif, who worked on "Big Uncle's Savage Island", and Pejman Rahimizadeh, who drew for "A One Person Town".

China Children's Press and Publication Group have so far published eight of Bai Bing's illustrated books as part of their Sunshine Library series. These books, including "The Elephant that Ate the Night", are now on sale for readers in the United States, Britain, and Ireland.