Bilingual reading instructions: The Chinese text is the original expression, and the English translation is placed at the end of the text. Bilingual Note: Chinese first, English follows below.

Original children's literature exchange platform 789 Children's Literature Talk March 14, 2026, 08:55

“二月东风来：2026中文原创图画书美国巡展”再迎重磅篇章，巡展将落地美国马萨诸塞州北安普顿市Northampton，带来5月8日、9日双站精彩联动，中文原创图画书佳作将接连亮顶级知名艺术画廊与百年文化地标图书馆，深度融入当地社区艺术与公共文化生活，持续推动 中美文化交流 。

Interior of R. Michelson Gallery

继R. Michelson Gallery had previously expressed interest in collaborating.Subsequently, both parties have finalized the timing for the collaborative exhibition.On May 8th, coinciding with Northampton's iconic community arts event, Arts Night Out, thousands of local artists, students, and residents will gather to participate.At that time, selected outstanding original Chinese picture books from the submissions to this touring exhibition will be displayed at this renowned American children's book illustration gallery.Showcasing works alongside those of renowned Chinese-American creators such as Ed Young, Grace Lin, and Jason Chin，让中文图画书艺术与国际优秀童书创作同台绽放，推动 中美文化交流 。

Forbes Library exterior

Following the highlights of the gallery art night,5月9日上午11点，中文原创图画书精品将落地北安普顿百年文化地标福布斯图书馆Forbes Library，This exhibition will be held in the library's newly opened youth activity room, which will open in April 2026.By precisely targeting the local young readership, Chinese children's stories are brought to life in the vibrant new space of this century-old museum.，与美国青少年展开近距离对话，为当地青少年打开了解中华文化的童趣窗口，推动 中美文化交流 。

自2026年2Since its official launch in Pittsburgh, the Moon Chinese Original Picture Book US Tour has completed three large-scale public cultural events in the city, attracting a total of [number missing] visitors.5000Many local families, educators and cultural institutions participated, and the event received a warm response.The three events were the Pittsburgh Chinese Cultural Center (PCCC) Spring Festival Gala Cultural Exhibition, the Pittsburgh International Mother Language Day, and the Spring Festival Cultural Fair co-organized by CASTP (Chinese Association for Science and Technology in the United States, Pittsburgh Chapter) and Phipps Greenhouse and Botanical Garden.

The book fair showcased several notable features: original Chinese picture books garnered significant attention from Chinese-American families, becoming an important vehicle for them to pass on Chinese culture; non-Chinese-American readers were drawn to the books' unique design and diverse artistic expressions, actively browsing and exchanging ideas with staff about the Chinese stories; several local libraries, educational and cultural institutions expressed interest in future collaborations, hoping to continue introducing original Chinese picture book resources; and picture books, with their vivid illustrations and easy-to-understand language, have become an important medium for the overseas dissemination of Chinese culture, allowing Chinese culture to enter the hearts of the American people in a more gentle way.

🏛️About Forbes Library: A century-old cultural landmark in Northampton

Forbes Library is the core public library of Northampton, Massachusetts, and a prominent cultural landmark in the city, with a history dating back to the late 19th century.By local judgeCharles Edward ForbesThe bequest was completed.1894Officially opened in [year], and after a century of development, it has long been a multi-functional space integrating public reading, cultural activities, and community exchange.。

This classic Richardson Romanesque building is not only a site for the practice of classic library classification, but also houses unique collections such as archives related to former US President Calvin Coolidge and a local historical archive area. Furthermore, it regularly hosts events such as author lectures, children's story time, and art performances, deeply integrating itself into the cultural life of the local community.。2025年图书馆启动青少年活动室打造计划，全新空间于2026年4月正式投用，为当地青少年打造了专属的阅读、交流与活动阵地，本次中文原创图画书展也将成为该新空间的特色文化活动之一，推动 中美文化交流 。

“February East Wind”: 2026 US Tour of Original Chinese Picture Books Expands to Northampton, Massachusetts

The “February East Wind: 2026 US Tour of Original Chinese Picture Books” is entering another exciting chapter. The exhibition will arrive in Northampton, Massachusetts, with two special events scheduled for May 8 and May 9.

Selected works of original Chinese picture books will be presented in two prestigious local cultural venues—a renowned art gallery and a historic public library—bringing Chinese children's literature and illustration into the heart of the local arts community and public cultural life. The tour continues to promote two-way cultural exchange between Chinese and American children's literature communities.

R. Michelson Gallery Interior

Following earlier expressions of interest from R. Michelson Gallery, both sides have now confirmed May 8 as the official exhibition date.

The event will coincide with Northampton's well-known community art celebration, Arts Night Out, when thousands of local artists, students, and residents gather to participate in the city's vibrant cultural festivities.

On this evening, selected works from the tour's submissions of original Chinese picture books will be showcased at this prominent American gallery dedicated to children's book illustration. The exhibition will appear alongside works by renowned creators such as Ed Young, Grace Lin, and Jason Chin, allowing Chinese picture-book art to shine on the same stage as internationally recognized children's literature.

Exterior of Forbes Library

Following the gallery's Arts Night Out celebration, the exhibition will continue on May 9 at 11:00 AM, when the Chinese picture-book collection will be presented at the historic Forbes Library, a major cultural landmark in Northampton.

This display will take place in the library's new Youth Activity Room, scheduled to open in April 2026. The venue provides an ideal space for engaging young readers and connecting with the local youth community.

Through this exhibition, Chinese picture-book stories will enter a newly revitalized cultural space within this century-old institution, offering American children and teenagers an opportunity to explore Chinese culture through imaginative storytelling and vibrant visual art.

Growing Impact Since the Pittsburgh Launch

Since the launch of the 2026 US Tour of Original Chinese Picture Books in Pittsburgh in February 2026, the collection has been showcased at three major public cultural events, attracting over 5,000 local families, educators, and cultural professionals.

These events included:

  • The Chinese New Year Cultural Showcase at the Pittsburgh Chinese Cultural Center (PCCC)
  • The International Mother Language Day celebration in Pittsburgh
  • The Chinese New Year Cultural Fair jointly organized by CASTP (Chinese Association for Science and Technology Professionals – Pittsburgh Chapter) and Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens

Audience Response and Cultural Significance

The exhibitions have demonstrated several significant trends:

  • Chinese American families show strong interest in original Chinese picture books as important tools for passing on Chinese language and cultural heritage to younger generations.
  • Non-Chinese readers are drawn to the books' distinctive design, artistic diversity, and visual storytelling, often engaging with the stories and speaking with exhibition staff about Chinese culture.
  • Several local libraries, schools, and cultural organizations have expressed interest in future collaborations to introduce more Chinese picture-book resources.
  • With their vivid illustrations and accessible storytelling, picture books have become an effective medium for sharing Chinese culture abroad, allowing it to reach American audiences in a warm and approachable way.

About Forbes Library: A Cultural Landmark in Northampton

Forbes Library is the central public library of Northampton, Massachusetts, and one of the city's most recognizable cultural institutions.

Its history dates back to the late 19th century. The library was established through a bequest from local judge Charles Edward Forbes and officially opened in 1894. Over more than a century, it has developed into a vibrant center for public reading, cultural events, and community engagement.

The library's building, designed in the Richardsonian Romanesque architectural style, is not only an architectural landmark but also houses notable collections, including materials related to US President Calvin Coolidge, as well as local historical archives.

The library regularly hosts author talks, children's storytelling sessions, exhibitions, and cultural programs, making it deeply integrated into the cultural life of Northampton.

In 2025, the library launched a project to build a dedicated youth activity space, scheduled to open in April 2026, providing a vibrant new hub for reading, learning, and community interaction. The Original Chinese Picture Book Exhibition will be one of the featured cultural programs in this newly created space.