Little White Duck: A Childhood in China, a graphic novel written by Na Liu and Andrés Vera Martínez, is a collection of eight short stories based on Na Liu’s childhood memories of growing up in China during the years of rapid social and economic change after the death of Chairman Mao.
The world is changing for two girls in China in the 1970s. Da Qin—Big Piano—and her younger sister, Xiao Qin—Little Piano—live in the city of Wuhan with their parents. For decades, China's government had kept the country separated from the rest of the world. When their country's leader, Chairman Mao, dies, new opportunities begin to emerge. Da Qin and Xiao Qin soon learn that their childhood will be much different than the upbringing their parents experienced.
Perfect for historical nonfiction fans, Little White Duck, published by Graphic Universe, gives an authentic look into the origins of modern China from the perspective of a child. With short, accessible chapters and a beautiful palette of comic illustrations, Little White Duck brings the rich details of a childhood in China to life.
About the Authors & Illustrator
Na Liu is a doctor of hematology and oncology. She moved from Wuhan, China, to Austin, Texas, in 1998 to work as a research scientist. She met her husband, Andrés Vera Martínez, in Austin.
Andrés Vera Martínez was raised in Austin, Texas. He has created comics and illustrations for Scholastic, Simon & Schuster, CBS/Showtime, and the New York Times. His work has received awards and recognition from the Society of Illustrators, 3x3 Magazine, and American Illustration.
Na Liu and Andrés Vera Martínez live in Brooklyn, New York, with their daughter. They take annual trips to visit their families in Wuhan and Austin.
Image Courtesy: Flickr
