Mao Fangmei, a Chinese children's author known by her pen name Mao Lulu, was recognized as a national "Rural Reading Promoter" at the fifth National Conference on Reading's "Rural Reading Story Session" held in Nanchang, Jiangxi province.

This event marked the first selection after a nationwide regulation to promote reading among the public took effect on Feb 1, 2026.

Mao, a native of Quzhou, Zhejiang province, was the only recipient from Zhejiang among the 20 honorees nationwide.

For over two decades, Mao has dedicated herself to children's literature and to promoting reading in rural areas. She has published more than 120 children's books and received over 100 literary awards at the provincial level or above.

Mao Lulu, a Chinese children's author, holds a public reading lecture for children in Yingchuan village, Quzhou. [Photo/Tide News]

Through her "Mao Lulu Cultural Lighting" initiative, she has held over 2,000 public reading lectures across various provinces and donated over 70,000 books.

In 2024, Mao transformed a rural library in Yingchuan village, Qujiang district, Quzhou, into a "Lulu Children's Heart Garden", hosting regular literary activities. Over the past two years, she has held more than 50 public reading lectures locally and donated over 3,000 books.

Mao said that she would continue to bring quality reading resources to rural communities, nurture a love for reading among children, and contribute to promoting reading in rural areas.