Chinese picture books are still relatively new, yet are developing quickly. They illustrate stories, classic literature and memories through traditional Chinese ink paintings and in pencil, water color and wood cut pictures.
The year 2016 saw the coming of a new series of Chinese picture books. Here are nine that were popular among readers.
Flowers Handbook. [Photo/amazon.cn]
Flowers Handbook
Have you ever noticed the plants on your way home or to work every day? Do you know their names? The flowers you overlooked bloom and wither silently. If you want to know more about them, here is a little book that could lead you to their world.
Flowers Handbook is a collection of watercolor flowers with information about them. If you need some peace and quiet and enjoy solitude, this book could be a nice companion.
A New Account of the Tales of the World, Six Dynasties 2. [Photo/amazon.cn]
A New Account of the Tales of the World, Six Dynasties 2
With long hair and fair skins and wearing somewhat revealing clothes, the men in the pictures all wear an air of aloofness and casualness. They are the legendary "Seven Worthies of Bamboo Grove" from the Wei and Jin dynasties (220-420) in Chinese history.
Picturing their stories, the 2016 published book is one of the comic series adapted from the classic, A New Account of the Tales of the World. In the stories, the seven worthies are big-hearted yet lonely. And cultural customs and social conventions in the Wei and Jin dynasties were humorously pictured.
The Song of Memory. [Photo/dangdang.com]
The Song of Memory
This book features a wandering little man named Oowa who decides to settle down in a forest where people can exchange their memories for what they want. Oowa exchanges his best memories for smiles. One day, he finds all his good memories have run out and he also has missed many things that are more important than the smiles that never last for long.
The book is illustrated by a post-80s woman, Jeanie Leung from Hong Kong, and echoes one of the key phrases of 2016: stay true to the original self.
Mountain, Twelve Records. [Photo/amazon.cn]
Mountain, Twelve Records
Once you open the book, exquisite ink paintings in a strong Chinese style will catch your eye. The aesthetic pictures illustrate 12 magic or mythical plants and animals that changed a group of people's fate and destiny. In contrast to the beautiful paintings, human nature is seen as complex and sometimes evil in the book. Half real and half illusory, the 12 stories will bring readers to a fairy land.
"I like each picture in the book and want to hang them on the wall," an anonymous user commented on Amazon.
The Fairy Tale in Hutong. [Photo/amazon.cn]
The Fairy Tale in Hutong
The book got 9.5 points out of 10 on Douban, a Chinese popular review site, and five stars on Amazon with its amazing water color paintings of Beijing. Life in a hutong was illustrated with smooth lines and bright colors. It tells a story about wishes and hopes shared by three generations of people, which conveys a message that love will be eternal despite the changing outside world.
"The book bears a style that all Chinese picture books should have, and we still have our dreams and hopes," user MuzijiadexiaoVV commented on Amazon.
Meet Craftsmen in Beijing. [Photo/amazon.cn]
Meet Craftsmen in Beijing
He Siqian, the author of the book, illustrated a series of craftsmen in Beijing. She tried to let people know more about traditional handicrafts, especially those rarely seen by the public, through her illustrations. The book records stories and works from 19 craftsmen and craftswomen.
A Tsinghua University graduate, He Siqian once created many commercial illustrations. She wanted to slow down to enjoy life and care more about the city where she lives.
"I was born in Beijing and this book lets me know a Beijing that I did not know before," a Douban user, Delete, said.
The Only Child. [Photo/amazon.cn]
The Only Child
This 100-page book of pencil illustrations was listed as one of the 2015 New York Times Best Illustrated Books and also the Publishers Weekly Book of 2015. It tells the story from the perspective of a six-year-old. There are no words, only pictures to present the story.
Born in Shanxi province in 1983, the book's author, Guo Jing, also an only child, often read books and played games alone during her childhood. The book was inspired by her haunting memories: a six or seven year-old Guo once mistakenly got off a bus at the wrong stop and lost her way in the woods.
The Universe Lost a Tooth. [Photo/amazon.cn]
The Universe Lost a Tooth
Picture books are often colorful, yet this one can only use one color to describe it: blue. The color of each page is like a spoonful of deep sea water. And the story in the book is based on the author's memory about his baby tooth and Halley's Comet that appeared in 1986 when he was seven years old.
This is another book about commitment and family, and also a fantasy about the universe, which will help readers recall their own experiences.
"Those people who like blue can't miss this book. It has very nice pictures and high quality stories, plus a good design. I like those pages about dreams. Guess children will like the book too," user Hongkouyitiaolong commented on Douban.
Olly Talks about Coffee. [Photo/amazon.cn]
Olly Talks about Coffee
For those who love coffee, the book is good guide to coffee from all over the world. Aside from introducing coffee from the perspective of an owl named Olly, coffee machines, cups, jars and anything that is related to coffee are illustrated in the book. Olly answers many questions readers might want to ask, such as the difference between black coffee and white coffee.
