Play Library

Non-English Children’s Books

by Hsien-Hsien Lei on June 13th, 2005

Many of today’s families are bilingual or maybe even multilingual. Others value knowing more than one language and would like their children to understand more than their native tongue.

One of our goals as ethnically Chinese parents is to introduce our son to the Chinese language. We’re doing a pitiful job mostly because English is the language we speak the most fluently. Another reason is because we think English is the global language of commerce.

Occasionally, I try to generate some interest in Chinese children’s books or music CD’s. After only a few minutes, though, we’ve all had enough. The books are never as beautiful or engaging as the English ones we have and the music CD’s are shrill and annoying beyond belief.

It appears that the problem is not just because I’m an English speaker. Even true blue Chinese parents feel the same way:

…more and more Chinese parents are complaining about the scarcity of good books for children in today’s book market.
*****
Foreign stories have marched quietly onto children’s bookshelves and they are gaining more popularity among Chinese young readers. We cannot deny the fact that some of the imported works are better than ours, but isn’t it a pity that our children can only name Japanese and American cartoon figures?
*****
Some story books are not readable. Children’s books should be written in children’s own language and the content should be close to their lives.

~China Daily, June 2, 2005

There’s definitely a market for Chinese children’s book authors who can produce works as memorable and popular as Eric Carle or Dr. Seuss. Maybe it’s time to brush up on my Chinese.

What are children’s books like in other languages?

Share This

Related Stories

Harry Potter in China
Children’s Books For Every Occasion or Not….
World Book Day 2007
The How’s and Why’s of Children’s Literature
Children’s Book Week 2006

POSTED IN: News and Links about Children's Things