Picture

Q: "How many books are in the Picture series?"

"There are one books in the Picture series, published in 2001."

Q: "What is the first book in the Picture series?"

"The first book in the Picture series is The Chinese Violin, published in 2001."

Q: "Is The Chinese Violin related to Madeleine Thien's adult fiction?"

"Thematically, yes — music, immigration, and cultural identity are central to The Chinese Violin, just as they appear throughout her adult novels. But it is a picture book for children and stands entirely apart from her fiction for adult readers."

Reading order

#	Title	Published	Author	Buy on Amazon
1	The Chinese Violin	2001	Madeleine Thien	Buy

The Chinese Violin (2001) is Madeleine Thien’s picture book, illustrated by Joe Chang. It tells the story of a Chinese father and daughter who immigrate to Canada and the way music — specifically the violin — bridges the gap between cultures and between generations.

The book’s themes of music and diaspora anticipate the concerns that would later dominate Thien’s adult fiction, particularly Do Not Say We Have Nothing. For parents looking to share her work with young children, or for readers curious about a different side of her writing, The Chinese Violin offers an accessible entry point.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many books are in the Picture series?

There are one books in the Picture series, published in 2001.

What is the first book in the Picture series?

The first book in the Picture series is The Chinese Violin, published in 2001.

Is The Chinese Violin related to Madeleine Thien's adult fiction?

Thematically, yes — music, immigration, and cultural identity are central to The Chinese Violin, just as they appear throughout her adult novels. But it is a picture book for children and stands entirely apart from her fiction for adult readers.

Reading order#

Frequently Asked Questions

Reading order