This year marks the 75th anniversary of the publication of the French version of “The Little Prince.” Local illustrator Steven Choi collaborated with the Hong Kong authorized agent, Ling Feng Group, earlier this year to present a personal art exhibition titled “Starry Wanderer Le Havre,” showcasing multiple reinterpretations of “The Little Prince” picture book illustrations with a modern and fantastical style. Several months later, Steven is once again unveiling his new work, “The Little Prince 2 Love and Light,” with the brand new picture book set to debut at the book fair next week.
Steven is the first Chinese illustrator authorized by the French official to draw “The Little Prince”. He has won awards such as the “UK WIA International Illustration Professional Award” and the “Japan JIA Illustration Grand Prize”, and his works have been exhibited in places like the Louvre in France and the Tate Modern in the UK. Following the 75th-anniversary edition of the French version of “The Little Prince” published last year, Steven has created a brand new picture book “The Little Prince 2 Love and Light”. The story, content, text, and illustrations in the new work are all personally handled by Steven, making him a pride of Hong Kong.
“The Little Prince 2 Love and Light” is available in both regular and limited collector’s editions. The collector’s edition includes the author Steven’s signature and number, as well as a set of 4 75th-anniversary collector’s edition prints, and a relief book ticket on the last page. Both versions contain over 40 illustrations, using 9 different patterned papers, along with a thread-bound design that allows readers to fully appreciate the images when the pages are laid flat.
Steven used a more realistic and profound art style in his new work “The Little Prince 2 Love and Light”, depicting the protagonist’s inner feelings, emotional changes, and thoughts. The story of the new picture book begins with the Little Prince returning to the planet B612, where he is devastated to find that the rose is missing. He decides to set out again to find the rose. On the other hand, the big snake encounters the lost rose and tries everything to make her forget about the Little Prince, developing true feelings for her. The Little Prince goes through many hardships, with the help and support of the fox, finally finding the rose at the ends of the earth.
In the ups and downs of life’s journey, after experiencing the baptism of time, are people’s hearts still as firm as they were at the beginning, or are they gradually drifting away? What kind of ending will the love story between the Little Prince and the rose have? Steven presents this story about “loss” and “searching” with subtle expression techniques. Everyone may wish to savor it and discover deeper meanings from it.
In addition, Steven’s creations are deeply inspired by films such as the Japanese anime “Spirited Away,” Hong Kong films “In the Mood for Love” and “Chungking Express,” as well as the American series “The Leftovers.” In the process of creating, he cannot help but recall past painful experiences, making the entire journey of creating stories a self-healing process for him.
Don’t miss the giant Little Prince background board at the book fair booth, which features one of the illustrations from Steven’s new book “Tiger and Snow”. Remember to come and take photos for check-in!
Book Fair Dates: July 14 to 20
Book Fair Booth: Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Hall 1C-C32
Learn more: Steven Choi
