The Unpublished Picturebook from the east

* Illustration from “Fantasy Musuem” by LIN Zhiqian

The Unpublished Picturebook from the east project, initiated by the Yan Chang Literary Agency, is a groundbreaking initiative dedicated to discovering exceptional unpublished works and talented picture book creators in China. Ultimately, our goal is to bring extraordinary stories to young readers worldwide.

regulations

We accept unpublished picturebook projects, including fiction and nonfiction picturebook, graphic novels, and comics. The submitted project must not have been published in any format. All submitted works will then undergo TWO rounds of selection run by the jury team.

The selected projects will be showcased at international book fairs and featured on our official website. They will have the opportunity to receive valuable feedback, as well as the potential to be translated and published. Additionally, these projects will be included in the latest Pictures and Words from the East catalogue for further promotion.

The Jury Team

This year, our jury team includes 10 overseas publishers and editors, one specialist in children’s literature from France, and one specialist in children’s picturebooks from China.

FEI Jia (China)

Sophie Van Der Linden (France)

First-Round Selected Projects

Moving House, 101 Times

  • Miss Snail and Mr. Rabbit are moving—again. Some seek new adventures, others flee old troubles. But why do these unlikely neighbors keep relocating? Through whimsical boxes and tangled paths, their journey reveals what "home" truly means. A tender tale about belonging, change, and the treasures we carry within.

  • YAO Dan, a full-time mom based in Guangzhou, creates art in her spare time to capture life's fleeting moments. Her work was shortlisted for the 57th Bologna Children's Book Fair Illustrators Exhibition.

A Tree Called Michael

  • This book tells the story of Michael, a tree who longs to be like the others—stronger, taller, more beautiful. But as the seasons pass, he slowly learns to appreciate his own worth. Like all trees, he remains rooted and patient, waiting for his moment to bloom. Through doubt and struggle, Michael eventually discovers that his true beauty comes from embracing himself.

  • YAN Meng is a Chinese picture book author and illustrator. She graduated from the Cambridge School of Art (2021) in Children's Book Illustration. She has published Happy Chinese New Year! (Lelequ, 2021), Mid-Autumn Festival (Lelequ, 2022), and Si yo fuera escritora...... (Editorial Destellos, 2024). Driven by a passion for storytelling, she aims to push the boundaries of picture books and create magical, unforgettable worlds.

The dOG cOUNTRY

  • The work attempts to tell the story, in the form of a poetry picture book, of the last four dogs on a planet embarking on a journey to find their utopia. Along the way, they pass through various nations and face one turmoil after another, responding to each in ways that are both absurd and heartwarming. Amidst a journey that is both lively and lonely, they search for their own way to survive.

  • LU Ya Jau is a writer and screenwriter for comics, graphic novels, and picture books. Co-published the book "Lu Hua and the Raven Forest" with partner Amber Ma. Believes that only by delving into social life can one create imaginative works that are grounded and not detached from reality.

    Amber Ma is an illustrator for comics, graphic novels, and picture books. Co-published the book "Lu Hua and the Raven Forest" with partner Ya Jau Lu. Believes that every stroke of hand-drawn art carries a story, and that every character created comes to life.

Sprout, Grown Out!

  • From the unique perspective of "sprouting," the book explores the free growth and transformation of seeds, rivers, stones, and paths. Ultimately, it tells the story of how the heart "sprouts" and thoughts grow wildly, potentially creating a new world. It presents the idea that everything can be created by the heart and that anything is possible.

  • GUO Li is an illustrator who studied fashion design at Guangxi University of Arts before transitioning to illustration. Her picture book Wait a Moment was shortlisted for several awards in 2022 and 2023, including the 14th Xinyi Picture Book Award, the 4th Golden Key Picture Book Creation Competition, and multiple prestigious picture book awards.

The Boy Who Lives In Stamp

  • The boy lingered for a long time on an ancient yet never-used stamp. One day, he finally grew tired of his surroundings and decided to venture out to seek his own worth, to explore the world beyond. Thus, he embarked on a journey, experiencing many things along the way. In the end, where will he go?

  • CHENG YuFei graduated with a bachelor's degree from the Picture Book Studio of the Central Academy of Fine Arts. She is passionate about expressing her inner perceptions through images and books. She has published Three Sisters and illustrated the Big Front Teeth and Little Black Nose series, with collaborations on various projects.

12 Chinese Zodiacs

  • Inspired by the traditional Chinese legend of the zodiac, The twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac tells the story of the Jade Emperor, who wanted to select twelve animals as zodiac signs through a race, to help people remember their birth years. The book employs the form of nursery rhymes to enhance the rhythm of the story and chooses a contemporary interpretation of Chinese paper-cutting as the visual presentation for the picture book.

  • Guituzi is an illustrator and artist who continuously explores the connotations and boundaries of visual storytelling and communication. . Over the past decade, she has created more than ten picture books, including The Big Ship, The Story of the Morin Khuur, and Not Big, Not Too Big. These works have garnered numerous domestic and international accolades, including the Bologna Illustrators Exhibition 2024, inclusion in the White Ravens Catalogue, and the longlist for the Chinese Excellence in Children's Illustration 2024 & 2025. Her books have been published in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Italy.

Fantasy Musuem

  • Follow the cat, what did you see in the museum? Inspired by nature museums and art museums, these are illustrations about museums and insects with more fantasy and innovation. Readers are able to follow the kitten as it searches for insects and artefacts, encouraging readers to explore the world of beauty.

  • LIN Zhiqian is an illustrator and artist with an MA from the Cambridge School of Art. She loves to make observation drawings in her sketchbook while traveling. She has received numerous awards, including the 2024 3x3 International Illustration Silver Medal, the 2024 JIA Illustration Bronze, and the 2024 AOI World Illustration Award. She also won the 2024 CA Illustration Competition and the 2023 CCBF Golden Pinwheel Young Illustrators Competition.

Little Mountain Spirit

  • This children's book is inspired by the classical Chinese literature "Nine Songs—Mountain Spirit." It depicts how God created Little Mountain Spirit at the beginning of creation and granted her a marvellous heart to control all things in the mountains and forests. However, her kindness led her to be tricked by a devil, causing her to lose her magic heart. Yet, her friends were always there to support her, and the devil was redeemed in the end. The story shows that kindness and sincerity are never wrong; only unconditional love can heal trauma.

  • LI Caicai graduated with a master's degree in children's book illustration from Cambridge School of Art, UK. Her work is dedicated to bringing healing through painting to children and disadvantaged communities worldwide. She believes painting can heal heart—whether as a source of inspiration or a calling. She was also a 2025 Finalist in the Bologna Children's Book Illustration Competition; the 2024 Merit Awards, iJungle International Illustration Competition; the 2024 Christmas Card Illustrator for Kettle's Yard Gallery, Cambridge University; 2024 Bronze Medal, JIA International Illustration Competition.

If You Want To Make A Wish

  • Everyone carries wishes, big and small, shining like stars. People express hopes through rituals—flickering birthday candles, fireworks lighting the night, wish bottles drifting in the ocean, and dandelions floating in the wind… The author hopes to compile these into a special gift, delivering heartfelt blessings to every reader.

  • OU Shiyu is a Chinese picture book creator and illustrator specializing in mixed-media collage and hand-drawn techniques. Inspired by nature and everyday life, she creates warm and imaginative visuals, aiming to portray a delicate and heartwarming world while highlighting the often-overlooked beauty in life’s details.  

TRADITIONAL CHINESE RESIDENCE ON THE MAP

  • This book showcases thirty unique traditional residences from various regions of China. Different ethnic groups have used their wisdom to create one-of-a-kind homes, which have gained even more charm over time. Through reading, young readers can not only appreciate the diverse architectural art but also gain a deeper understanding of China's rich cultural heritage. Additionally, the book features two engaging characters, Little Swallow and River Otter, whose lively dialogues spark children's curiosity and interest in reading.

  • FEI Xiaofu was born in Shanghai in 1985 and graduated from the School of Fine Arts at Shanghai University with a degree in architecture. He later pursued further studies in Paris, where he earned a master's degree in architecture. Now residing in Paris, he works as an architect at Ateliers Jean Nouvel. In addition to his architectural career, he is also an illustrator, contributing to children's books and magazines while creating his own picture books. He previously published The Power of Shapes, a volume from the 10000 Whys series. 

I Am Black

  • Black, a color that is disliked and mysterious, begins to transform when it hears praise from humans and birds. It creates silver rain when it dances within the clouds, dressing the earth in gold. It becomes the perfect stage for the stars to shine and glow. It inspires the poet to create a song for black… Black gradually finds its worth, and when the sun shines on the earth, it no longer decides to hide.

  • WU Xulan is a children's literature author based in Hangzhou. Her stories and poems have been published in renowned journals such as Good Children's Pictorial, Youth Poetry, and October Children's Literature. She is also the author of several picture books, including Good Friends, Whale Rescue, and Search and Find. Her work has garnered multiple awards in China, including the "Shanghai Best Children's Poem" award and first prize in the "Little Hundred Flowers" Original Children's Literature Competition.

     

    LIN Zhiqian is an illustrator and artist with an MA from the Cambridge School of Art. She loves to make observation drawings in her sketchbook while traveling. She has received numerous awards, including the 2024 3x3 International Illustration Silver Medal, the 2024 JIA Illustration Bronze, and the 2024 AOI World Illustration Award. She was also shortlisted for the 2024 CA Illustration Competition and won the 2023 CCBF Golden Pinwheel Young Illustrators Competition.

The Thickest Book On the Earth

  • This book tells the story of the Earth's evolutionary journey from the Earth's first-person perspective. It is bound in an accordion-style format, which is read from bottom to top. This unique structure reflects the chronological order of the formation of ancient geological ages and the process of animal evolution. Let us step into this "thickest book," the Earth, and experience the long journey of life that started from a single cell. We come from stardust and will also head towards the galaxy.

  • GAO Di, a Chinese picture book creator, studied at Tianjin Academy of Fine Arts and is now a third-year graduate student majoring in watercolor.

Companion

  • This wordless picture book tells the story of a little boy who, tired of being alone at home, decides to go out and play. He meets a butterfly, and together they embark on an imaginative journey. The illustrations blend reality and dreams, reflecting the boy's shifting emotions and symbolizing the harmony and friendship between humans and nature.

  • WANG Xiaoxu is an illustrator and picture book author who graduated from Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts. Her works were shortlisted for the Golden Pinwheel Young Illustrators Competition and included in both the Longlist of Outstanding Masters·Chinese Illustrators for 2025 and Bologna Illustrators Exhibition Longlist for 2025. Published picture books include: The Stubborn Snail, Star's Good Friend, Wobbling Tail and Chang'e Explores the Moon Pop-up Book.

cHINESE fOLK mASKS (POP-UP)

  • This handmade pop-up book features traditional folk masks from regions like Yunnan, Sichuan, and Shanxi in China. These masks, with a history dating back to ancient times, are closely related to the "Nuo" dance and were used in rituals for blessings and protection. They are not only essential props in religious and cultural activities but also treasures of traditional Chinese art and symbols of spiritual significance. 

  • WANG Xiaoxu is an illustrator and picture book author who graduated from Guangzhou Academy of Fine Arts. Her works were shortlisted for the Golden Pinwheel Young Illustrators Competition and included in both the Longlist of Outstanding Masters·Chinese Illustrators for 2025 and Bologna Illustrators Exhibition Longlist for 2025. Published picture books include: The Stubborn Snail, Star's Good Friend, Wobbling Tail and Chang'e Explores the Moon Pop-up Book.

Little Us

  • This creation centers on the theme of "Love," using simple brushstrokes to depict the story of a couple‘s journey from playful innocence, through youth, to sharing life together. Their love crystallizes, and their story continues through their child, echoing the reincarnation of parental love. The picture book abandons traditional binding methods, seeking new possibilities in combining picture books with products through content fusion.

  • HAN Yijia was born in 1992 in Anshan City, Liaoning Province, majoring in household product design as an undergraduate of the Central Academy of Fine Arts in 2016. He is now studying for a master's degree in Product design research direction of the Central Academy of Fine Arts.

All selected projects will be showcased at Yan Chang Culture Stand (Hall 26, B147) at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair from March 31st to April 3rd. If you are interested in any projects and want to acquire more details, please contact us via email to schedule an appointment or visit our stand during BCBF. We are looking forward to seeing you there!