An Old Piano

Original Title
旧钢琴

Text & Illustrations by 
Wen Aining

Language
Simplified Chinese

Pages
36

Size
20 x 20 cm

Age
3+

Published
Xiwang Publishing House
2023

In the heart of the forest, there sits an old piano, its keys tangled with wild grass and covered in dirt. Long ago, this place was a bustling village, and the piano’s dearest friend was a little boy in a red hat. Together, they filled the air with beautiful melodies that brought joy to everyone around. But one day, the boy stopped coming…

The old piano spent many lonely seasons, silent and still. But then, one day, someone wearing a red hat touched its keys, and the forest once again echoed with the sweet sound of music.

This tender story, brought to life with captivating illustrations, invites young readers to explore themes of friendship, memory, and the magic of music that can light up even the quietest corners of the world.

Awards
🏆Nominated for the Bridgeman Studio Award in the UK
🏆Selected for the 2021 Golden Key International Picture Book Creation Competition

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About the author/illustrator

Wen Aining, picture book creator and editor. A graduate of the Cambridge School of Art’ s Children’s Book Illustration program and the Academy of Fine Arts at Beijing Institute of Fashion Technology, Wen Aining enjoys capturing moments of life through words and illustrations. She also explores the potential of integrating music into children’s picture books. Since 2014, she has been creating picture books, known for her warm and simple illustration style, which is rich in atmosphere. Her published works include Music Forest, The Elf’s Song, and The Secret of the Octave, as well as a translated work Creating Children’s Picture Books: The Art of Visual Storytelling. In 2021, her new work Cello Swan was shortlisted for the 55th Bologna Children’s Book Fair.