Ma Xiaoxiao (1921-2009), originally known as Ma Zhen (马振), was from Anqiu, Shandong Province. After the 1950s, he gradually became famous under the pseudonym Ma Xiaoxiao; he was a famous calligrapher, painter and scholar. In 1948, he graduated from the Forestry Department of Northwest Agricultural College, and transferred to Yan'an University in the same year. A year later, he served as the head of the propaganda section of the Northwest Working Committee of the China New Democratic Youth League. In 1952, he was transferred to the Office of the Secretary of the Central Secretariat of the Communist Youth League, and in 1956, he served as the preparatory team leader of the China Children's Publishing House. He later served at the editorial board of the company and the art editorial director of China Youth Publishing House and China Children's Publishing House. During the Cultural Revolution, he suffered political persecution for ten years.

Ma Xiaoxiao has participated in national exhibitions many times and many of his works have been collected by museums such as the National Art Museum of China.