UCLan acquires inclusive picture book from Jianling and Rong

UCLan Publishing has acquired an inclusive picture book from Chinese author Yin Jianling and illustrator Yu Rong, with students on the Chinese Studies course at the University of Central Lancashire to translate the title. 

Publisher Hazel Holmes  bought UK translation rights for The Visible Sounds from Chinese publisher Beijing Dandelion Children's Book House. Publication is slated for September 2021. 

Based on the true story of Chinese dancer Lihua Tai, The Visible Sounds follows a young girl dealing with the frustration and solitude of hearing loss. Her life is changed forever when a chance touch unlocks a vibrant new world of dance, offering a message of hope and joy to children living with a disability. 

Holmes said: "From the moment I saw the glorious artwork, I knew that UCLan had to publish the book in the UK. The Visible Sounds is a much-welcomed addition to our growing picture book list. We're so lucky at UCLan to have a pool of talent on campus that we're able to give the Chinese Studies students the opportunity to translate Yin Jianling's powerful text. We're exceptionally proud to be publishing this book."

Rong added: "The Visible Sounds is about aiming high, reaching tall, seeing the world in different ways and being the very best we can be. It feels very appropriate that alongside its publication in China, UCLan Publishing will publish this special book in the UK, working with students to help bring it to market and allowing them to learn more about the industry, how it works and supporting them to be the best they can be."