Chinese children’s literature writer and child psychology expert Bao Dongni, who's written numerous titles in the World Chinese Graded Readers series, spoke with PW about where she finds inspiration for her fiction and nonfiction, her most memorable reader letters, and why these books are such effective tools for teaching kids Chinese.
The World Chinese Graded Readers series currently features 29 science readers written by you. Please tell us how you have ensured the stories are not only engaging but also scientifically accurate.
I started to write popular science picture books in 2010. The first series I wrote was the Ocean series. This choice was driven not only by my personal fascination with the sea and marine life but also by the interactions I had with children, parents, and teachers during my lectures across different parts of China. During the conversations, I found that children’s reading interests are particularly focused on the theme of natural exploration, which is in line with the development of children’s curiosity during the process of growing up. To share my profound love for nature with children, I focused on creating books that revolve around the exploration of the natural world.
Most of the children who read the series are between the ages of five and 10. So it is crucial for my books to not only provide them with age-appropriate scientific knowledge but also introduce them to the wonders of the natural world they may be unfamiliar with. The books need to strike a balance between being scientifically accurate and literarily engaging, complemented by visually captivating illustrations that ignite children’s love for nature. Therefore, this series adopts a fairy-tale style of writing backed by scientific knowledge. In terms of storytelling and education, I hope it resonates with children of this age group and offers them a truly delightful reading experience.
Your readers include both fiction and nonfiction. Please elaborate on the different creative methods and sources of inspiration you utilized when crafting these two genres.
When creating popular science picture books, I do field studies alongside science experts in advance. To write about animals in different parts of the world, I went to the Antarctica, the Arctic, Africa, and South America to observe and photograph wild animals. I tried my best to portray their natural habitats with authenticity and to write animal stories that align with scientific knowledge.
When creating fictional works about people and society, I never make up a seemingly reasonable story in front of the computer. Instead, I conduct field research in the early stages to understand the customs of local communities, find clues for compelling narratives and characters, and collect local cultural source material with illustrators. The stories written in this way often have deep humanistic emotions.
By traveling to every corner of the world, walking in China’s villages, mountains, forests, and grasslands, I have discovered an inexhaustible wellspring of stories. These tales not only fuel my writing but also manifest as beautiful, tranquil, and awe-inspiring images that resonate with readers.
Can you share some interesting or memorable feedback from young readers or their parents? How did the readers’ feedback influence your writing?
Every year, I conduct more than 30 story-sharing and creative exchange sessions, which allow me to interact and communicate with readers. There are many unforgettable moments that touch me and make me proud as a children’s literature writer. I feel that what I do is particularly meaningful.
When I took the book The Beijing Swift’s New Home to primary schools and libraries and told the children the story of Beijing swifts, they were surprised to hear that Beijing swifts do not build nests, and not because they are lazy. Beijing swifts do not like to live in low-rise houses but prefer tall royal palaces and buildings, not because they despise the poor and love the rich but because their toes are different from those of house swallows or red-rumped swallows. When I said that Beijing swifts have all four toes facing forward, making them unable to grab branches or land on the ground, the children were astonished. At that moment, they understood how unique and extraordinary these brave swifts are, who spend their entire lives flying and migrating.
The children asked me, “Can we help the Beijing swifts? What should we do if they fall out of their nests?” I told the children, “The only way we can help is to keep their nesting sites safe and intact and not to disturb them. If a baby bird falls from its nest, do not try to adopt it. Humans cannot raise swifts. You must take them to a height of more than four floors and release them back to their nests. If you encounter an injured swift, you must seek help from professional animal protection organizations and local bird associations.”
I was very moved by the children’s questions and kindness. I think I should create more works to satisfy their curiosity about the world and share my understanding and knowledge of the world as an adult with a child’s heart.
As a series of graded reading materials for children, what makes this series different from other Chinese learning products? What is its standout feature?
An important feature of the series is its selection of titles. The authors featured in this series are among the most prominent and influential writers and illustrators in the field of Chinese children’s literature. Their works have achieved remarkable success in China and have garnered recognition from numerous international awards. For example, the author of Where Is Mr. Octopus Hiding?, Mr. Octopus Sells Umbrellas, and Mr. Octopus Celebrates His Birthday from the Level 3 readers is the young Chinese artist Han Xu, who won the gold medal for illustrations in the Claudio Abbado competition in Italy. Her picture books for young children exude a unique charm, with stories and illustrations complementing each other to create a delightful and playful experience.
Who Does Not Sleep at Night from Level 5 is written by Chinese writer Ren Yongrong, who is a famous publisher, writer, and translator of children’s literature. I was the original editor of this work. I invited Xu Kaiyun, an experienced illustrator who has worked in France for many years, to be the illustrator. Xu’s warm and simple colored pencil drawings, combined with the writer’s beautiful prose, weave a captivating serenade for those who work during the night.
The author of Rescuing My Dad from Level 6, Peng Yi, collaborated with the young illustrator Tian Yu to create this hilarious picture book that has garnered immense popularity among Chinese readers and maintains a prominent position on the bestseller lists.
The Moose of Ewenki from Level 6 was selected for the 2020 International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) Honor List and won the 2020 Aesop Prize awarded by the American Folklore Society.
These are just a few examples. I believe my own works and the works of other Chinese writers in the series, with powerful illustrations and captivating narratives, can serve as a colorful bridge for readers to learn Chinese and understand Chinese culture.
How do you think the World Chinese Graded Readers series can help children around the world learn Chinese effectively?
The World Chinese Graded Readers series is one of the best choices for children around the world to learn Chinese and experience China on paper. The scientific language learning system undoubtedly provides rich and engaging reading texts for children learning Chinese.
The extensive coverage and precise grading system are unmatched by other children’s Chinese learning books. The series is divided into 10 levels according to factors such as vocabulary, grammar, text length, and content difficulty, so as to cultivate Chinese reading ability in a fun and progressive manner. At the same time, it offers the benefit of saving valuable time for parents and schools when it comes to selecting appropriate learning materials.
Another key feature is its diverse themes and subjects. With hundreds of interesting stories, the readers are filled with imaginative ideas and humorous language expressions, making language learning an engaging and enjoyable experience for children. The inclusion of popular science content provides children with a solid foundation of knowledge. As they master the language, children can accurately express scientific vocabulary across different fields. Moreover, Chinese cultural content covers a wide range of cultural elements, including traditional festivals, fables, and folk art. These elements are seamlessly integrated into the stories, creating a charming atmosphere. By mastering this aspect of the language, children not only integrate the best of Chinese and Western cultures but also cultivate cross-cultural thinking and communication abilities.
