Sanmao, created in 1935, is the most famous character invented by Zhang Leping and certainly the most loved by generations of young Chinese readers. Sanmao is an orphan who lives on the streets of Shangai. His name means “three hairs”, to recall the malnutrition and misery of the many orphans who lived in China between the two World Wars. These comic strips denounce the society, the government and te historical period, but at the same time they show the optimism of this child, able to find many little joys and to show his gentle humor to the world around him.