Xinyue Zhu

Current job title:
Illustrator.

How would you describe your identity?
Chinese, She/Her.

Tell us your favourite medium for reading:
I love reading print books — I enjoy the texture of paper and the quiet focus it brings.

Tell us your favourite location for reading:
My green sofa chair in my living room/kitchen.

Book title:
Mama's Special Wonton Soup.

What inspired your creative process in writing or illustrating your book?
The illustrations were inspired by my childhood in the Chinese countryside. My grandparents were farmers, and the close-knit village community, full of everyday labor and mutual help, shaped the way I imagined the scenes in the book.

Favourite character or moment from the book – and why?
It’s very hard to choose, because I enjoy every moment and character the author has created — they are all so kind and full of warmth. If I had to pick one, it would be the scene where the little girl quietly leaves a flower for her grandmother. I have a personal fondness for quiet yet powerful moments like this.

What themes or messages does your book raise?
The book explores themes of family, care, and memory, showing how food can carry love across generations.

How would you describe your artistic or writing style in three words?
Quiet, poetic, heartfelt.

What aspect of the story did you most connect with, and how did it shape your illustrations?

I connected most with the sense of community in the story. It shaped my illustrations to highlight togetherness, warmth, and the bonds between people.

Materials and techniques used for this book’s illustrations:

Digital collage.

Favourite illustration – and why?

My favourite illustration is the last one. After a long day of hard work, all the characters finally gather together to enjoy the meal — a meal that, in fact, everyone has contributed to in some way. The moment feels both tender and celebratory.