——Review of the picture book series “When Peking Opera Meets the Three Kingdoms”
When I first read Mr. Zhou Rui’s new picture book series, “When Peking Opera Meets the Three Kingdoms,” I was quite surprised. Although I already knew he had made a remarkable transition as a painter when I met him at the 2023 iReader 100 Children’s Books launch event, excelling at depicting Peking Opera characters dramatically, exaggeratedly, and humorously in a simple, folk-inspired style, illustrating four Peking Opera stories through a continuous narrative of images represents a whole new level of difficulty and sophistication. He not only accomplished this, but also did so in a unique and groundbreaking way, truly a new type of “total creation.”
I remember our last conversation began with a lament about the peak state of children: their willingness to experiment and fail, their willingness to embrace change, and the belief that “change is often an opportunity for growth.” Teacher Zhou Rui described how, during one “change,” he began experimenting with calligraphy, and then, through repeated “changes,” turned to art, delving into Peking Opera and unearthing the coming-of-age stories of Liyuan opera troupes during the Republic of China. Thus, we saw the emergence of novels about the growth of young Liyuan opera troupes, accompanied by paintings imbued with childlike innocence and artistic interest, and now, the picture book “When Peking Opera Meets the Three Kingdoms.”
In this set of picture books, I also read a continuation of Zhou Rui’s “Humorous Three Kingdoms,” a narrative reimagined based on traditional culture, integrated with modern life and engaging with contemporary children’s interests. “The Gathering of Heroes,” for example, presents a Peking Opera performance on a boat by a waterborne troupe, a distinctively local tradition. The burning of Red Cliffs, part of the Three Kingdoms story, is perfectly suited to the aquatic setting. The story leaps between theatrical and extra-theatrical, transcending time and space, weaving between characters, actors, and audiences. Interspersed with anecdotes from the opera world and comical scenes from everyday life, the author patiently explains opera terminology. To make the work more accessible, he incorporates numerous vivid and engaging details into the images—such as ospreys providing shelter from the rain, adoring audiences, and the use of folk props. These details not only enhance the work’s interest but also allow readers to experience the realities of troupe life beyond the stage.
However, this set of picture books isn’t intended for very young readers; it’s more suited to middle and upper elementary school students, essentially overlapping with the readership of the novels “Humorous Three Kingdoms” and “Growing Up as a Young Liyuan Operator.” Zhou Rui cleverly uses a format similar to an art book to bring the rich expressiveness and drama of Peking Opera into the reading world of young readers, allowing children to experience the profound cultural heritage of Peking Opera while enjoying the engaging stories. This format maintains Zhou Rui’s signature humor and wit, and the content imbues the story with both narrative tension and a profound cultural depth. In recounting the traditional Three Kingdoms story, he doesn’t simply retell history or dramatic plots. Instead, he uses the artistic form of Peking Opera as a medium, focusing on showcasing the characters’ demeanor, movements, and dramatic stage presence, while also incorporating elements of real life beyond the stage. This vivid and heartwarming approach offers a delicate reimagining of traditional Peking Opera culture, integrated into everyday life.
But what I admire most is Zhou Rui’s astonishing transformation. Having already achieved remarkable success as a children’s literature writer, he still chooses to challenge himself and enter a new creative realm. I understand that he is exploring a freer form of expression. This free, spontaneous, and highly creative creative state is the perfect fusion of text and image. This creative state, filled with a passion for exploration and learning, coincides with the best state of children. I believe that through his own practice, he has demonstrated what it means to be in a state of constant learning, and through such brilliant works, he tells children that growth is a lifelong process; everyone can, at any time, explore new possibilities like a child.
Here, I would like to express my sincere congratulations to Mr. Zhou Rui for his childlike creative rebirth!
Argentine Primera División written on November 7, 2024
