Exhibition tells rural China's reading stories to the world

The event also highlighted the story of Chinese illustrator Cai Gao, winner of the 2026 Hans Christian Andersen Award. Cai shared how teaching in a village in Central China's Hunan province shaped her artistic vision and strengthened her lifelong commitment to children's reading.

"Art is warm and powerful only when it is deeply rooted in real life," Cai said. "Rural reading connects people with nature and childhood innocence."

Held as an official event of the 40th IBBY World Congress, the exhibition was jointly hosted by the National Press and Publication Administration of China and the Chinese Board on Books for Young People.