123 Italy Bologna Illustration Award winners join forces
The first picture book to welcome a new family member
Recently, Mommy is acting strange.
She was eating all the time.
I don't know what happened to mommy?
She eats too much.
My belly has become so big!
What's wrong with her? .
Dedicated to the older brothers and sisters at home
When the family is about to welcome the second child,
How does the first child feel?
Facing the changes of mother's pregnancy,
Children's psychology is very sensitive.
Read this picture book with your eldest son.
Welcome the pregnancy process and new life with your mother.
Author's Note
Talking about the origin of this picture book, it has gone through many transformations!
In 2014, I experienced a baby living in my belly for the first time. I drew some of the small changes in my body shape after pregnancy, and produced the first version of the work. Later, these pictures were made into "Is the Baby Coming?" 》Picture book to participate in the competition and send it out before the deadline. The work was selected but did not win any prize.
After the child was born, I made an appointment with Huiling and Yingfan (the author of this book) to meet and talk. After reading the story, Yingfan simply told me the story in her mind. That light-hearted and playful story made me say intuitively, "That's it! I like it, please help me write it!" So, the first picture book in my life that I drew for myself was born just like I found a savior!
I would like to thank Yingfan for helping me write such a story that fits the pictures so well. I would also like to thank Huiling for her professional assistance in editing. Of course, the happiest thing is that I can draw children and cats into the pictures and share with everyone the big and small things that happened during pregnancy.
——Illustrator: Chen Youling
In 2015, I would never have imagined that I, who had long been a picture book illustrator, would become a writer.
You Ling's painting style is sweet, warm and delicate. Although our painting styles are different, I think I understand what she wants to describe. Because we have all been through this journey recently: painting at home, living with cats (rabbits), and getting pregnant and having a baby.
In this story, I decided to tell it from the cat's point of view. A clingy cat can be compared to the first child in the family. They are very sensitive to the changes that occur during their mother's pregnancy. While watching my mother's changes, I have many doubts. But she usually leads a loving life, so she has no doubt that her mommy will not love her anymore.
Thank you children, pets, and friends for enriching our lives.
——Author Chen Yingfan
About the Author
Chen Yingfan / Author
Graduated from the Fine Arts Department of National Taiwan Normal University, SVA Illustration Institute in New York
Won the Bologna Illustration Award in Italy in 2011
I am full of passion for research and creation of illustrations. The styles of his works vary. When coloring with a computer, he uses thick and strong colors, while when hand-painting with watercolors, he prefers classical and elegant styles. He is good at mixed media combining hand-painting and computer graphics, and his drawings reveal warmth and humor. My favorite are the cute little animals.
Chen Youling／Illustrator
Graduated from Utrecht school of the arts, NL. Editorial Design, MA
I like taking walks, nature, talking to cats, and drawing the tiny things in life and my own little joys and sorrows. I started designing my own products in 2013 and found it to be a fun and surprising experience. In 2015, I became a mother, and whenever I have nothing to do, I want to draw children and cats in my paintings.
2014 Kingdee Award shortlisted
Won the Bologna Illustration Award in Italy in 2015
Shortlisted for the 2015 Xinyi Children's Literature Award Picture Book Category