Flying Paintings: The Zhou Brothers: A Story of Revolution and Art

In folktale cadence, Alznauer traces the story of two brothers, Shaoli and Shaoning, who struggle to create lives for themselves as artists in “the new People’s Republic of China,” which “did not appreciate the high spirits of people who ran their own stores and made their own art.” Guided by the words of their grandmother— “to become an artist... you must possess the highest spirit”—the brothers struggle through loss and separation, acquiring training, drawing inspiration from Chinese cliff paintings, and learning to work together: “Each canvas was a battle of paint that transformed what was once two into a single dance, what was old into something new, and what was terrible into something beautiful.” An afterword explains how the tale simplifies the life stories of the Zhou Brothers, whose loose-lined, colorful pictures, influenced by both traditional Chinese style and modern sensibilities, depict their own journey. An intimate, inspiring introduction to two contemporary Chinese artists, and a moving reminder of creative work’s power. Ages 5–9. (Sept.)