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.