Xu Zhiwei is an illustrator with a background in design education. He has illustrated design books since 2010 and his first book, Xu Zhiwei’s Hand-drawn Wanderings, won an award in the design book category. In recent years, he has focused on art education for children and has published books on sketching for children, and has focused on the development of art education for children to help equip them with an eye for beauty. After the birth of his son, he seemed even more determined in his original dream of becoming a great illustrator of children’s books! His illustrations combine Chinese elements with a touch of Western philosophy to create impressive illustrations.
Mr Gumpy’s Outing
The book is called “Mr Gumpy’s Outing” and it is a very interesting story about a lot of animals who have to go out with Mr Gumby, but each of them has their own character traits. During the whole boat ride, each animal has to control their own behaviour if they want to keep the boat in good shape. For example, two small children must not argue, a small dog must not move around, etc. But at the last moment, everyone fails to control their own behavioural habits causing the boat to lose its balance and eventually causing it to capsize, resulting in a scene where everyone falls into the water. This story may have prompted parents and children to think about whether they should have control over their own behaviour in the classroom and in society nowadays. Does one’s own behavioural habits in different environments affect others or the society, which needs everyone to contribute in some way for a healthy development.
Painting a green leaf for life
The story is about a young child who is seriously ill and goes from devastation to renewed hope. Just beginning is very depressed inside at the sight of falling leaves and his own hair falling out. He feels that when the leaves are finished falling, his life will also be over. But all the time the bird invited a painter to paint the leaves green while he slept. He saw the green and seemed to see hope, thus adjusting his mind and rekindling his hope, serving all difficulties and finally overcoming his illness and returning to a normal life, telling us to believe in the power of belief.
Contact:
Email: xuzhiwei45@gmail.com
Instagram: @zhiwei_illustrations