Little Yu and the Treelings Series

Little Yu is back! In this new volume, our heartfelt explorer is disguised as a dandelion, venturing deeper into Peach Blossom Paradise’s mysterious realm. A tale of Chinese mythology, empathy, and adventure for ages 8-12 from celebrated artist, Xiong Liang.

It’s been seventy-three years since a baby has been born in the Peach Blossom Paradise, the sacred forest where the treelings dwell. For the first time in a long time, all the inhabitants of the forest are gathering to celebrate a birth. They zip through the mist on flying carriages that curve along roller-coaster tracks past the tree tops. Among them are strange elves, rain men, fungus folk, tall toads, dragon slayers, and giant rocks. Also in attendance is Little Yu, a human who (with the help of her new treeling friend) has secretly entered the forest disguised as a talking dandelion.
When the skies darken and ominous birds bring news that an outsider has breached the sacred realm to kidnap the newborn, fear and suspicion interrupt the festivities. When the baby goes missing and Little Yu is accused, she must escape the spirit guardians and set off to find the little one—a treacherous adventure that surprises even the wisest old treeling who thinks he has seen it all.
The next title in the Little Yu and the Treelings series from Xiong Liang, The Prophecy of Shorn Pine is an intricately illustrated tale of curiosity, bravery, and what it means to welcome others.

Alice in Wonderland meets Spirited Away: Xiong Liang’s propulsive, Chinese mythology-inspired adventure story for kids ages 9-12.

Embark on a forbidden journey through Peach Blossom Paradise—a world of mushroom elves and dragon slayers, with brilliantly crafted ink wash illustrations by a renowned Chinese artist.


City-girl Little Yu just spent a glorious summer in the countryside with her grandparents. On the last day of her vacation, wishing she could stay forever, Little Yu notices peach blossom petals marching along the surface of the river. They sink and bob to the surface again, a pink rivulet flowing into the distance. Little Yu follows the blossoms to an enormous, mossy stone tablet carved with the histories of the Eastern Jin Dynasty and the words: “Prohibited to cross!” Laughing in the face of this restriction, she hikes up a leg, crosses the stone fence, and sinks her feet into the muck and lichen of an ancient forest.
The moment Little Yu enters the forest, the world shifts. The peach blossom petals flow backwards, stop, and then begin to spin. Like Lewis Carroll’s Alice going down the rabbit hole or Hayao Miyazaki’s Chihiro entering the spirit world, Little Yu enters a forbidden world and must learn to trust her instincts at every turn. She meets and befriends the realm’s earthly guardians – puckish spirits of mountains, clouds, water, and wind. The first in the seven-book series, Little Yu and the Treelings, Lost in Peach Blossom Paradise is a new fantasy classic. The celebrated artist and writer Xiong Liang masterfully blends ancient Chinese mythology, traditions, and tales, in a story that shares many features with the best graphic novels. Xiong Liang’s ink-wash drawings are vivid and meticulous, filling the page with cave dwellings, intricate creature-made tools, towering cypress forests, and a large, graceful hound dog.