On the Tip of a Wave

He [Ai Weiwei] felt the life jackets and an idea curled and crested through his fingertips. The way it always did.

A moving, powerful picture book about the life and work of activist and artist, Ai Weiwei.

Told in Joanna Ho’s signature lyrical writing, this is a story that shines a light on Ai Weiwei and his journey, specifically how the Life Jackets exhibit at Konzerthaus Berlin came to be. As conditions for refugees worsened, Ai Weiwei was inspired by the discarded life jackets on the shores of Lesbos to create a bold installation that would grab the world's attention. Cátia Chien masterfully portrays the intricate life of Ai Weiwei with inspirations from woodblock printing and a special emphasis on the color orange, the same color of the life jackets that became a beacon of hope. Through Cátia’s dynamic and stunning illustrations, we see how Ai Weiwei became the activist and artist he is today while proving the power of art within humanity.

Release date: October 31, 2023

2024 Orbis Pictus Recommended Book • A Center for the Study of Multicultural Children’s Literature Best Multicultural Children’s Book of 2023 • A Kirkus Children’s Best Book 2023 • A Guardian’s Best Children’s Book 2023

★ "An eloquent tribute to the ways this renowned Chinese artist has worked to shed light on the international refugee crisis. Inspiring insights into how art can reify vital current issues.”
—Kirkus

★ "The creators treat with sophistication themes of political marginalization, creative risk-taking, and the power of art to shift sentiment.”
—Publishers Weekly

★ "An outstanding biography of an important artist whose work challenges us to change the way we look at other human beings. This will guide deep discussions on borders and the plight of so many people around the world.”
—School Library Journal

★ "Visually stunning and thought provoking.”
—Booklist