Jimmy Liao, who turns 67 today, devoted himself entirely to book illustration after a battle with leukemia diagnosed in 1995. After recovering, he stayed home and drew constantly. Over his career, he has illustrated more than fifty books, many of which have received awards, and several have been adapted into films and animations. His story A Fish That Smiled at Me was also turned into an animated film. His books are translated into multiple languages and sold worldwide.
Starry, Starry Night, published in 2009, is a picture book about friendship and the beauty of the world. The idea came from a news story about two high school students who ran away from home. They spent days wandering outdoors, swimming, and climbing mountains, returning home only after being found by authorities. Liao was moved by their innocence and desire to simply enjoy life together.
He began the book by drawing scenes of their escape, but quickly realized he needed to build a full story. Questions about why the children ran away, how they met, their homes, families, and what happened afterward drove the creation of the narrative. Each answer inspired a new illustration, gradually forming a complete story.
The project took years. Ten illustrations were completed in the first year, ten more in the second, but the narrative still lacked cohesion. After pausing and working on other projects, Liao returned, inspired by the works of Van Gogh and Magritte. By the fourth year, the concept of the book was clear, and additional characters, like a grandfather and a foreign exchange student, were added to enrich the story.
The result is a layered, expansive picture book that captures both the simplicity of the children’s adventure and the complexity of building a story visually. Liao emphasizes that even seemingly simple stories can require years of effort to fully realize in illustration and text.
