Zhang Leping wins special honor of intl book contest

Award certificate for Zhang Leping, March 26, 2018. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The late Chinese comic artist Zhang Leping (1910-1992), author of the San Mao comics, was given the "Special Honor" of the 2018 Silent Book Contest on Monday. He is the first Chinese caricaturist to ever receive this prize.

The Silent Book Contest is an annual event exclusively set up for unpublished wordless picture books from around the globe. Zhang, as the creator of San Mao, has enjoyed an international reputation for his authentic style and superb artistic achievement.

Sunflower from The Diary of Sanmao in the 1960s. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

San Mao is one of the world's longest-running cartoon characters, and remains a cultural landmark as one of the most adored artistic figures in contemporary China.

His name means "three hairs" in Chinese, which implies malnutrition due to childhood poverty.The story depicts the struggle of an orphan named San Mao during the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression (1931-45)

San Mao Joins the Army by Zhang Leping. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

A Clever Way to Read Books by Zhang Leping. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Through his works, Zhang intended to express concern for the young victims, particularly orphans living on the streets, and also to highlight important qualities embodied in San Mao, such as optimism and the willingness to help others.

Zhang Weijun, left, son of Zhang Leping, together with Chinese illustrator Xiong Liang, center, and Wang Lijun, general secretary of the Cartoon Arts Committee of the China Artists Association, attend the awarding ceremony at the Bologna Convention and Exhibition Centre in Italy on March 26. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

Selling over 10 million copies since its first publication in the 1930s, the book The Winter Story of San Mao is listed as one of 100 must-read books by China's Ministry of Education. It has been introduced to many countries and adapted into films and plays.

The earliest publication of the San Mao comic series from 1935. [Photo provided to chinadaily.com.cn]

The organizing committee of the Silent Book Contest wishes to take this opportunity to let the world learn more about Zhang Leping and his art, to know more about China and Chinese history. Through this platform, they hope more excellent Chinese illustrated books can be known to an international readership.