In presenting the work of a prominent conceptual artist and activist to a young audience, Cátia Chien had a daunting task from the get-go. Chien’s illustrations for On the Tip of a Wave made a distinctive visual and emotional impact that is definitely Caldecott worthy.
On the last stretch of flatlands north of Beijing, just before the Mongolian foothills, lies the satellite city of Tiantongyuan. Built during the euphoric run-up to the 2008 Olympics, it was designed as a modern, Hong Kong–style housing district of over 400,000 people, with plentiful shopping and a subway line into Beijing. But it was a rushed job, and planners neglected to