She confesses she learned a lot from them, but decided to encourage indigenous picture books.

Every child that turns over pages of that book embarks on an incredible journey of knowing oneself better.'īack then, there were many picture books from abroad that were translated and published in China, according to Cai. 'Gradually, the illustrations in the book become more mature in order to reflect the cat's growing courage. His drawings, which seemed childlike at first glance, wonderfully captured the sentiments of a cat that was too timid to start a new life,' says Cai, who's based in Changsha, Hunan province. 'Mathiesen had an active mind and a unique perspective. The Blue-Eyed Pussy, a book by Danish illustrator Egon Mathiesen, opened her eyes. Taking a trip down memory lane, Cai recalls one of the earliest picture books she was acquainted with at work. Her picture book journey began in 1982, when she was appointed an editor at Hunan Juvenile and Children's Publishing House. The artistic streak already in her genes, she published her first painting in a magazine during the time. Those happy days turned her into an inexhaustible powerhouse of ideas, and the illustrator has since devoted her life toward enriching the childhood of others.Ĭai spent nearly 12 years teaching in a remote village in Hunan province. So much so that we were content even when it was just bean sprouts for dinner,' the 76-year-old adds. 'We were of modest means, but grandma had the remarkable ability to make everything lavishly beautiful with her songs. I learned about folk tales because of this carefree habit of hers,' says Cai, the winner of several coveted awards. The book also includes an inspiring and helpful chapter on deliberate practice. All Sales fundraised go to Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park projects. 'When she'd do some house chores, such as peeling broad beans, she'd often sing softly to herself. In' Picture Perfect Practice, 'photographer Roberto Valenzuela breaks down the craft of photography into three key elements-locations, poses, and execution-that you can use to unlock the photographic opportunities lying beneath every challenging situation. Jat 11:02 am Pre-sale available NOW, Picture-Perfect Sleeping Bear: An Album of Shared Memories Celebrating the National Lakeshore Cover of the NEW Book, Picture Perfect Sleeping Bear, by the Friends of Sleeping Bear Dunes. The established illustrator and editor recalls with great fondness how her grandmother sang songs inspired by Chinese folklore, and how that became the never-ending source of her visual stories. Cai Gao, 76, shows her works at her home in Changsha, Hunan province.Ĭelebrated children's book illustrator Cai Gao, adored at home and abroad, draws inspiration for her creations from childhood, country life and travel anecdotes, Wang Ru reports.Ī memorable childhood spent in the endearing company of her grandmother is at the core of Cai Gao's most amazing picture books for children.

Picture perfect book