Sketching from memories

Many of her books echo her childhood memories, including Where the Moon Goes, I Go.

"The girl picking the pomegranate in that book is me," she says with a broad smile. "It's easy to illustrate your own childhood. Art is not such a big deal for me because it is never far from life."

Graduating from Hunan First Normal School (now Hunan First Normal University), Cai began her career as a rural teacher. Despite the challenges of rural life, she found beauty in her surroundings and never abandoned her passion for art. Reflecting on her six years working and living in the countryside, she describes herself as a "Sunday artist", seizing any spare moment outside of her teaching duties to pick up her brush.

In 1982, at 36, Cai started working as an editor for children's books at Hunan Juvenile and Children's Publishing House in Changsha. This position allowed her to delve deeply into the world of picture books, both editing and illustrating. Her talent was internationally recognized in 1993 when her book, Bao'er, won the Golden Apple Award at the 14th Biennial of Illustration Bratislava, making her the first Chinese artist to receive this prestigious accolade.

The story of Bao'er is adapted from a tale by Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) novelist Pu Songling's masterpiece Liaozhai Zhiyi (Strange Tales from a Chinese Studio). Cai selected the only story featuring a child as the protagonist and reimagined it, focusing on a boy's love for his mother and his courage in confronting evil and darkness.

In Cai's book, when the boy focuses intensely, his eyes turn a clear blue, symbolizing his determination and insight. "Blue is the color of enchanting, clear water, with sunlight lingering deep inside," Cai explains. "Children's eyes are clear and innocent, allowing them to see through to the essence of things."