Rejected fairy tale transformed into a tale of success

However, even though many Chinese would likely empathize with the main character, Chinese publishers originally rejected The Only Child when Guo sent out her sketches in 2014.

Eventually, she was offered a deal by Schwartz and Wade, an arm of the publisher Random House. The company also nominated the work for The New York Times children's book list, which is used as a reading guide by many parents.

The work has been compared with that of Chinese-Australian painter Chen Zhiyong, as well as Raymond Briggs' The Snowman.

After seeing the response in the United States, Guo said about 20 Chinese companies contacted her and offered to publish her work. As a result, The Only Child will soon be published in her homeland through China Citic Press.

Although busy with media interviews and e-mails from readers, the artist is now working on her second book, which is about a "big-mouthed girl".

Guo said she is now more confident about expressing herself and creating her own unique artistic language.

"I used to think art is what you do for the audience, but I finally understand now that art is what you express out of your heart," she said.

Contact the writers through yandongjie@chinadaily.com.cn