Captivating characters

Hailed as one of the country's best children's picture book creators, Xiong Liang shares his inspirations with Mei Jia.

Author Xiong Liang says every time he hosts a reading club or book release, it goes on for longer than he expects. Besides playing games and reading books with the children, the author of picture books will also draw for every kid, on demand. With just a few strokes of his pen, he brings alive pandas, horses, butterflies and dinosaurs. Yet during an interview at his studio in Yizhuang, in Beijing's southeastern suburb, Xiong says he is not good with children.

"I try to remember how I felt as a child, about what I felt was interesting or what I felt was dull. And I try to convey those feelings through my works," the 37-year-old author says. His thick mustache moves as he speaks at a fast speed.