Taipei:Cheng Ming-chin, a renowned Taiwanese children's book illustrator and a recipient of the prestigious Golden Tripod Award for Outstanding Contributions to Publishing, has passed away at the age of 95. Cheng died peacefully in his sleep on Monday, as reported by his family.
According to Focus Taiwan, Cheng's family disclosed that he had provided specific instructions regarding his funeral arrangements. He will be interred in the family cemetery located in New Taipei, and in line with his wishes, there will be no memorial service held.
Cheng Ming-chin was born in Taipei and completed his education in the art department of Taiwan Provincial Normal School. He spent 25 years of his career as an elementary school art teacher before transitioning into the field of children's publishing. In his publishing career, Cheng engaged in writing, translating, editing, and significantly contributed to the popularization of picture books in Taiwan.
Throughout his career, Cheng published nearly 50 illustrated books, several of which have achieved classic status in Taiwanese children's literature. His notable works include "The Little Paper Boats That Went to See the Sea" (小紙船看海), which is among his best-known illustrations.
Cheng played a crucial role in establishing the foundation of Taiwan's picture book industry by introducing significant works from around the globe. He served not only as a book selector, translator, and consultant but also contributed to newspapers and magazines by writing about prominent illustrators. Additionally, he authored introductions and reviews of picture books and delivered lectures across Taiwan, promoting the appreciation of the art form.
