A Feather is a newly released picture book by two veteran authors - a writer from China and a writer-cum-illustrator from Brazil, targeted at young readers.

The result is a magical combination of concise philosophical language and beauty in the shape of different birds.

China Children's Press and Publication Group launched the Chinese version of the book written by Cao Wenxuan and illustrated by Brazilian Roger Mello, recently. A Brazil-based publisher is scheduled to publish it in Portuguese.

"The attempt to combine Chinese writers with their international peers will boost Chinese children' literature and its global appeal," says Li Jingze, a critic with the Chinese Writers' Association.

The seed of the idea for the cooperation was planted at the 2013 Bologna Children's Book Fair, one of the world's largest, in March in Italy.

A professor at Peking University, Cao is also author of best-selling novel The Grass House, which has been reprinted 160 times since its first release in 1997.

Cao says his works are mostly about two themes - social reality and the world of fantasy. Both "are written in melancholy tone and refined language", says poet and veteran writer Gao Hongbo.

"One day in strong wind I saw a white feather drifting higher and higher in the air, which stirred a series of ideas on where it originated from and is going, and which bird it belonged to," Cao says.

"Then I tell the story about the feather's journey of questing for the mother bird using the tone of children.

"I realize the use of a picture book might be the best way to present the essence of philosophy in the story. The feather embodies human life," he says.

Always interested in Chinese culture and oriental philosophy, Brazilian illustrator Roger Mello was moved by Cao's story. He has illustrated 100 picture books, 20 of which are also written by him.

"I love Cao's story told from a birds' perspective," Mello says.

Mello travels a lot, and he always draws inspiration on local culture and tradition from his journeys. With his longtime interest in capturing the beauty of birds and inspiration from a porcelain museum, he gives Cao's words new life with images and color.

Both the creators have been nominees of the Hans Christian Andersen Award, the world's top award for children's books.

Author Gao Hongbo says he believes such international cooperation was unlikely for Chinese writers 30 years ago.

Cao agrees, saying: "We haven't actually had a mature market for picture books until recently. Years ago, the concept of consumer was different and the buying ability was low."

Cao believes China's economic growth opens up huge market potential for picture books in the country. "Picture books will also give the world a better insight into Chinese children's books," he adds.

Cao says he completed 20 stories for picture books in the past two years.

Li Xueqian, president of the book's Chinese publisher, says he will promote more cooperation between Chinese creators and their international peers.

Li also says the publishing group is to put in 2 million yuan ($327,000) every year to encourage the creation of original picture books.

Expecting a Chinese writer to win the HC Anderson Award, writer Jin Bo, who was at the launching event, says he hopes there will be more chance for the award jury to get to know Chinese children's books better.

Maria Jesus Gil, veteran Spanish editor and jury president of the 2014 HC Andersen Award, who has visited China once in the 1990s, says she is also interested to learn more about Chinese books.

meijia@chinadaily.com.cn

(China Daily USA 10/15/2013 page9)