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Little Leap Forward

A Boy in Beijing

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Paperback Chapter Book ISBN: 9781846865381 £7.99 Out of stock
Hardback Chapter Book ISBN: 9781846861130 £9.99 Out of stock

Written by Guo Yue

Written by Clare Farrow

Illustrated by Helen Cann

Experience this coming-of-age tale that brings to life the time of the Cultural Revolution. A young boy growing up in the hutongs of China discovers the heartache of loving and having to let go when he captures a bird, only to discover that she will not sing in confinement. The first in Barefoot Books' Young Fiction line, this story also includes beautiful full-color illustrations. NAPRA Nautilus Award Winner Recommended by the National Literary Association

More Details

Product Dimensions: 207 x 142 mm
Page Count: 120 pages
Age Range: Ages 8 years and up

Awards & Accolades

NAPRA Nautilus Award Winner, 2010
Gold Medal Winner, Moonbeam Awards, 2008
Listed in 50 best culturally diverse children's books, The Guardian, 2014

“The warm wash of color and the textured detail in Helen Cann’s illustrations reinforce the novel’s pastiche of folk tale, parable and realism” — The New York Times

“Guo and his wife, Clare Farrow, write about the Cultural Revolution with poignant understatement, underscored by the book's unassuming design” — San Francisco Chronicle

About the Contributors

Written by - Guo Yue

Guo Yue grew up in Beijing, China at the time of the Cultural Revolution. He later studied at the Guildhall School of Music in London and is now a renowned flautist and composer whos music is published by Peter Gabriel's Real World label, Cultural Revolution. He is also an excellent cook and teaches at the renowned Divertimenti Cookery School in London, England.

Written by - Clare Farrow

Clare Farrow is a writer and journalist specialising in modern contemporary art. She has published interviews with Anish Kapoor and Annie Liebovitz. She lives in London, England and co-writes books with her husband, Guo Yue.

Illustrated by - Helen Cann

Helen Cann has worked as an artist since graduating from the School of Art, University of Wales in 1992. Helen uses all kinds of patterns to create her artwork, including those from textiles, ceramics, furniture, jewelery and even body paint. She has illustrated many books for Barefoot, as well as exhibiting in England and throughout Europe. She currently lives in Sussex, England.

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