Moving Stories: The Art of Chinese Paper-Cutting in Picture Books
- Date: November 9th，Sunday
- Time: 2-5pm
- Location: UMass Amherst University Village Community Center
Join us for a hands-on celebration of Chinese folk art and storytelling! This event invites families, students and art lovers to explore the magic of traditional Chinese paper-cutting (剪纸), a UNESCO-recognized Intangible Cultural Heritage, through the lens of beloved picture books and vintage animation.
We are thrilled to welcome special guest Huan Li, an acclaimed children’s literature specialist and advocate for bilingual literacy.
✨ Together, we will:
• Explore the picture book The Emperor and the Kite
• Learn the meaning and history behind Chinese paper-cutting
• Create original cut-paper art inspired by stories like Journey to the West
• Share our creations
🧋Snacks and boba tea will be provided! All materials included. No experience needed. Perfect for children ages 5+, families, educators, and anyone curious about cultural storytelling and hands-on heritage arts.
About our guest speaker
Huan Li is a board member of the Chinese Library for Children in America and was honored with the Director’s Award in Children’s Literature at Simmons University. She studied picture book art at the Eric Carle Museum, formerly worked as an editor in one of China’s leading children’s publishing houses, and founded the popular platform 789 Children’s Literature Talk. Currently, she is researching the life and legacy of renowned Chinese American illustrator Ed Young. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to engage with her expertise in person!
Collaborating Organizations
Chinese Library for Children
We are a Pennsylvania 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation. The organization seeks to foster a love of reading, support bilingual and heritage language development, and create inclusive opportunities for families to engage with Chinese literature and culture. Activities include maintaining a lending library, hosting educational events, organizing reading programs, and collaborating with schools and community organizations.
789 Children’s Literature Talk
It began in 2022 as a public reading project on classic Chinese children’s literature. It has grown into a professional platform bringing together hundreds of writers, illustrators, scholars, teachers, and enthusiasts. Through programs such as “789 Children’s Literature Course” and “My Picture Book Publishing Journey,” it invites renowned creators and experts from China and abroad to share insights, fostering a professional, open, and warm community for children’s literature.
✂️ Event Recap
What a wonderful afternoon of creativity and storytelling! Our paper-cutting and picture-book workshop brought together both children and adults for an inspiring hands-on experience celebrating Chinese folk art.
✨ Exploring Paper-Cutting Through Film
We began our session with a screening of the 1958 classic animated short 《猪八戒吃西瓜》(Zhu Bajie Eats Watermelon), produced by the Shanghai Animation Film Studio.
This film, one of China’s earliest paper-cut animation works, is adapted from the beloved tale Journey to the West. It tells the humorous story of Zhu Bajie (Pigsy) sneaking away to eat watermelons while his companions rest — only to get caught later. What makes this film remarkable is that every frame was created using hand-cut colored paper silhouettes, animated piece by piece to bring the characters to life.
The animation is considered a milestone in Chinese animation history, showcasing the artistry and ingenuity of early animators who combined traditional folk craftsmanship with cinematic storytelling.
👋 Engage in History and Hands on Practice
After the film, we learned about the history, symbolism, and diverse regional styles of Chinese paper-cutting, exploring how these patterns express wishes for good fortune, happiness, and unity in daily life. With craft paper and small scissors in hand, everyone practiced cutting simple traditional patterns — such as flowers, animals, and symmetrical window designs.
📖 Storytime: The Emperor and the Kite
Next, we read The Emperor and the Kite, written by Jane Yolen and illustrated by Ed Young. The story follows Princess Djeow Seow, a young girl often overlooked by her royal family, who bravely rescues her father, the Emperor, by flying a paper kite high into the sky.
Ed Young’s illustrations — crafted entirely from hand-cut colored paper — reflect the aesthetic of traditional Chinese folk art. His use of bold silhouettes, layered textures, and elegant symmetry beautifully captures both the emotion and cultural spirit of the tale. These innovative illustrations earned Young a Caldecott Honor in 1968, celebrating their originality and cross-cultural artistry.
🔎 Creating Our Own Paper-Cut Stories
Inspired by what they saw and read, participants designed their own paper-cut stories using characters from Journey to the West. With scissors and colored paper, students and adults worked side by side to create vibrant scenes — each telling a unique story of imagination and creativity. The results were stunning, reflecting both skill and heart!
Throughout the afternoon, families enjoyed freshly made brown sugar boba tea, warm conversation, and shared laughter as they created together. The atmosphere perfectly embodied IIEI’s mission — fostering community connection through culture, creativity, and hands-on learning.
International and Intercultural Education Institute 