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In the global landscape of children's literature, original Chinese picture books are ushering in new possibilities. More and more excellent works are being created, yet a large number of good books still cannot reach overseas families, schools, and libraries.
In 2026, we decided to launch a truly cross-cultural initiative in the United States: "The East Wind Blows in February: 2026 China Original Picture Books US Tour Exhibition". We hope that through professional and systematic cross-cultural initiatives, American readers can truly "see" Chinese picture books and promote the integration of Chinese stories into overseas daily reading, classroom teaching and cultural exchange scenarios.
Focusing on the internationalization of children's literature! This 2026 China Original Picture Book US Tour is jointly initiated by three parties:789 Children's Literature Talk(A professional platform deeply involved in the exchange of children's literature between China and other countries)CVA Chinese Language Expression Alliance(An organization that promotes Chinese culture in the United States on a non-profit basis)TVOW World Sound Media Group(An organization that provides independent Chinese-language media and international publishing services).
This project will be a key step in bringing original Chinese picture books into the US public reading system.
Project Mission
Using picture books as a bridge for cultural exchange, we aim to enable more American audiences to truly understand and appreciate the unique power of Chinese children's literature, and to bring Chinese stories to the United States.Home, school, library, community cultural center, art gallery, reading organizationThe integration of diverse scenarios promotes in-depth cross-cultural reading and dialogue.
Project Vision
Helping original Chinese picture books achieve success in the United StatesContinuous exposure、Systematic display、Public Reading Participation、Professional international reviewand Chinese picture booksOverseas Copyright PromotionOpportunity. To enable high-quality works to achieve comprehensive overseas implementation, including being seen, read, collected, studied, and incorporated into courses.
Project Overview
“"The East Wind Blows in February: 2026 China Original Picture Book US Tour Exhibition" will be held with...Exhibition + Tour + International Jury + Copyright Promotion + Educational ActivitiesWith this as its core structure, the event will run throughout 2026 and will be a cross-regional, cross-institutional, and cross-cultural international exchange and collaboration in children's literature. It will become an important window for overseas readers to understand Chinese children's literature.
Exhibition & Tour Plan
Phase 1 |2026 Spring Festival · Pittsburgh First Exhibition(Starting February 7, 2026)
The first stop of the tour has been launched.Pittsburgh Chinese Cultural CenterDuring the Spring Festival, representative original picture books from China will be exhibited and opened to the American public. A series of supporting activities will also be held concurrently in collaboration with local cultural institutions.
February 7: Chinese Cultural Center Spring Festival Gala (Inaugural Ceremony of the Touring Exhibition)
February 21: CASTP Technology Association Spring Festival Gala Joint Exhibition
February (tentative): Multilingual and cultural themed activities for International Mother Language Day
This stage marks the official launch of the tour, and will be the first time that Chinese picture books have been showcased in a concentrated manner in overseas Chinese New Year cultural settings.
Phase Two | 2026 US Roadshow (May–October)
The selected books will be successively published in major US cities such as New York, Boston, Chicago, Washington D.C., and Philadelphia. Confirmed collaborating institutions include...
R. Michelson Gallery, a top American gallery
The Center for Children's Literature Studies (CSCL) at Simmons University, USA
Fish and Bird Collection, a non-profit organization in Princeton, New Jersey, USA
Other proposed partners includePublic libraries, K-12 schools, university education departments, community cultural centers, art galleries and museums, children's reading promotion organizationsThis will become a large-scale initiative to bring Chinese stories into the American public reading space.
Phase Three | Online Showcase & US Reader Voting
All selected works will be displayed online on the official website for an extended period, while a voting channel exclusively for American readers will be opened, allowing overseas readers to participate deeply in "choosing Chinese stories" and strengthening the interaction and connection between the works and local readers.
Phase 4 | International Expert Review at the End of 2026
The project will establish a panel of experts from China, the United States, and the United Kingdom (partial list of invitees is below) to provide professional academic endorsement and international communication guidance for selected works.
• Tan Fengxia (Judge of the Hans Christian Andersen Award)
• A-Jia (Bridge Prize winner, picture book researcher)
• Cathryn Mercier (former Newbery Medal and Caldecott Medal judge)
• Leonard Marcus (authoritative historian of American children's literature)
Submissions
welcomePublishers, book studios, picture book authors/illustratorsOrganizations and individuals actively submitted articles.
Submission requirements:
• Works published in Chinese for the first time (including Sino-foreign co-authored picture books)
• For sold overseas copyrights, the region and term must be indicated.
• Priority given to publication years: 2019–2026
Submission MaterialsSubmission Materials
Paper and electronic materials (both are required)
1. Printed booksIt is recommended to make two copies to prevent damage during transportation.
2. PDF electronic version300dpi is recommended.
3. Author/Illustrator's Biography (in both Chinese and English)
4. Book Information Form (Chinese and English)Includes book title, author, publisher, publication date, ISBN, recommended reading age, and a brief synopsis.
5. Letter of Authorization (in Chinese and English)Authorize offline exhibitions, online displays, and project promotions, and specify copyright information.
Submission method: Contact
Contact person: Huanzi
WeChat: Chinaliyaze
Email: huanliedu@gmail.com
Mailing address: Please add us on WeChat to obtain.
Important Notice
This touring exhibition is completely free of charge. There are no fees for submissions, exhibitions, judging, or online display. The submitting party only needs to bear the domestic postage cost of the printed books (reference standard 26-32 yuan/kg).
To participate in the Pittsburgh premiere exhibition in February, you must submit your printed book by December 15, 2025. We accept submissions and exhibitions throughout the year, with no strict deadline. We welcome cultural institutions, foundations, and publishing houses to participate in the project as co-organizers or sponsors.
The organizer reserves the right to final interpretation of this project.
Organizers
• 789 Children's Literature TalkAn internet platform that promotes exchanges in children's literature between China and other countries.
• CVA Chinese Expression AllianceA US non-profit organization that uses multimedia to promote China's voice to the world.
TVOW World Voice Media GroupAn independent Chinese-language media group, its business encompasses publishing, magazines, interviews, in-depth content planning, author IP management, and overseas copyright promotion. It is committed to bringing more Chinese-language works into the mainstream international arena.
Frequently Asked Questions (Q&A)
Q1: Can I submit my unpublished original works?
Yes, but a high-quality, complete PDF copy must be submitted for internal review and online presentation preparation.
Q2: Can I submit a series of works?
Yes. You can submit your work as a single volume or as a complete series. Please indicate this in your submission.
Q3: Can works whose international copyrights have already been sold be submitted?
Yes. Please indicate "Overseas copyright sold: Country/Region/Publisher" in the authorization letter and information form to ensure correct presentation during display and promotion.
Q4: Should physical books be returned?
Due to high overseas shipping costs and the mobile nature of exhibitions and touring shows, submitted books will not be returned. The organizers will properly display and preserve them, and use them appropriately in subsequent educational activities and exhibitions.
Q5: Is there a chance for selected works to be translated or published overseas?
Yes. Outstanding works will be included in the "Overseas Publishing and Copyright Promotion Program," and the organizers will assist in copyright communication and translation coordination with overseas publishers and institutions.
Q6: Are the author or publisher required to bear any costs?
No. Submission, judging, exhibition, and online display are all free of charge. The organizers do not charge authors, illustrators, or publishers any fees.
Q7: Are there any restrictions on the year of publication of the work?
There is no limit to the year of publication, but priority will be given to original Chinese picture books published between 2019 and 2026.
Q8: Do you accept works created collaboratively by multiple authors/illustrators?
Accepted. Please include complete information about the creative team in your submission.
Q9: Is it possible for publishers/studios to submit manuscripts in bulk?
Yes. Publishers and studios are welcome to collectively recommend their original picture books on behalf of their organizations.
Q10: Will the content of the works be edited or deleted during the exhibition?
No. Both the offline exhibition and online display will adhere to the original book content. If excerpts from the cover or interior pages are required for project promotion, the organizer will communicate with the copyright holder and obtain their consent beforehand.
“"The East Wind Blows in February: 2026 China Original Picture Book US Tour" takes the export of children's literature as its core mission and builds a solid bridge for cultural exchange between China and the United States. From its first exhibition in Pittsburgh during the Spring Festival to a tour of multiple cities across the United States, from online exhibitions to international judging, from copyright promotion to educational collaboration, this cross-border cultural initiative has brought original Chinese picture books, carrying Eastern aesthetics and universal warmth, into American homes, schools, and public reading spaces.
It is not only a journey for high-quality works to be "seen and read" overseas, but also a journey for Chinese stories to resonate with childhoods around the world, exploring a systematic and sustainable path for the dissemination of children's literature abroad. We sincerely invite every creator, publishing institution, and cultural partner to join hands, so that the fragrance of books can carry Chinese culture, and exchanges can build consensus on civilization, writing a new chapter in the internationalization of children's literature through cross-cultural dialogue.
—For more information, please visit”"789 Children's Literature Talk" WeChat Official Account
Published by: CVA Chinese Language Expression Alliance × TVOW World Voice Media × 789 Children's Language Talk
