Chinese author Cao Wenxuan has received the so-called Nobel Prize for children's literature. (Photo : Getty Images)
Zhu, now semi-retired, still is involved the arts. The book, "New Year's Reunion" became well-known and awarded because of the artist's beautiful artistry on a subject close to many Chinese children.
The artist grew up in the 1950s in Jiangsu Province. There were no known artists in the area but admired He Youzhi and many "lianhuanhua" or hand-sized picture books.
He then when to Nanjing University as an oil painting major. The artist admits that he doesn't fall into a specific genre, as Northern and Southern Chinese art were similar.
He said, "It feels more familiar when I draw rural life subjects for my picture books, especially when it's about villages in the Jiangnan (south of the Yangtze River) regions. But the difference between South and North China artistic styles is not very obvious to the average reader, so I don't put myself in any specific category."
The book "New Year's Reunion" is well-liked and translated in many languages because of the theme cuts across all cultures, according to Zhu.
He said, "Because the warmth of human nature goes beyond national boundaries, regardless of ethnic groups."
Zhu explained that when he chooses the stories to illustrate, he makes sure that the story is well-written with having a "sense of painting."
"I use the content of the story to come up with different artistic techniques (e.g., wood engraving, watercolors or gouache). None look the same. I try to adapt to the evolving content. Being picturesque is very important to a narrative," said the illustrator.
At the rising popularity of e-books. Zhu believes that readers will always go back to the printed books because people would always look for the feel of a book in their hands.
The artist explained, "Printed picture books will always be popular. Parent-child reading begins with the picture books that they can hold in their hands. Every generation needs that and then passes it on to the next."
