This article explores lianhuanhua (serial illustrated books), the predominant form of children’s illustrated literature in China during Mao Zedong’s era, with over 20 billion copies sold. While lianhuanhua encompassed diverse themes, its content consistently reflected the communist ideology of the time. Despite its historical popularity, lianhuanhua has largely faded from public memory. Through an analysis of 400 lianhuanhua books published between 1949 and 1976, this article examines their imagery, text, and communicative strategies, highlighting their role in bridging Chinese children’s literature with political indoctrination. In addition, interviews with 500 Chinese individuals who grew up during Mao’s era provide insights into the influence of lianhuanhua on political perceptions. The findings suggest that young readers internalized the ideological expectations of the Communist Party of China through these books, demonstrating how lianhuanhua marked the emergence of a strong connection between Chinese children’s literature and political education.