Illustrator's cutting-edge ambition

The draw toward China in Shu Lin's Grandpa was Yu's "deliberate" design, but the inclusion of Chinese elements in her creations is "unconscious".

"They are kept in my inner drawer, which I pull open from time to time and use them," she says.

Yu has also set her heart on promoting authentic Chinese stories to global readers. The Visible Sounds, a collaboration with Chinese author Yin Jianling, is based on the childhood story of Tai Lihua, a deaf Chinese dancer. The book tells how the fictional Xiao Mi, who became deaf at the age of 2 because of illness, perceives sound through vibrations and, through her efforts, grows up to become a dancer.

Through the book, young readers have a chance to reach the world of people with disabilities, who may be a little different to them. The story of Xiao Mi originates from China and has found its way into the classrooms, libraries, and homes of Western countries, which has filled Yu with pride.

"Xiao Mi's story also belongs to the world. It could happen in every corner of every country," Yu points out.

She says the girl's resilience is a shared personality of mankind, which transcends language and cultural barriers.

"The fact that this book has been introduced to the UK and has been shortlisted by the Yoto Carnegie Medal for Illustration judges is an indication of the importance of diversity to human society today," she says.

"I used to only think of bringing out talent during my creation, instead of realizing that the human knowledge and affections, or the epitome of families and societies, would all be condensed in a book," says Yu.

From Shu Lin's Grandpa and The Visible Sounds to Yu's recently completed work on autistic children, she has increasingly dabbled in themes related to humanistic care.