Some of the books in the Chinese pioneers series Photo: Courtesy of Jieli Publishing House

In late July, authors and readers gathered at a book expo in Jinan, East China's Shandong Province, to exchange views on a book series about pioneering Chinese figures. Paying tribute to individuals from various fields who have made significant contributions to the nation, the series has captured the interest of young readers with engaging narratives, with a total of 13.81 million copies having been distributed in the Chinese mainland in four years.

The award-wining series, which is comprised of a total of 79 books, covers figures from scientists to literary figures and taikonauts, to ordinary workers, farmers, and philosophers, both historical and contemporary. Icons such as Qian Xuesen, Deng Jiaxian as well as modern figures like Yuan Longping, Tu Youyou, Zhong Nanshan, the Chinese taikonauts, and the Chinese women's national volleyball team, have been included. 

"At first, some thought that the collections were meant for moral and ethical education and would not resonate with young readers. However, the reception from children has been positive without any administrative promotion. And the market response has also been exceptional," Bai Bing, editor in chief of Jieli Publishing House, one of the publishers of the series, told the Global Times.

He cited an example of a fourth-grade student, Zhu Limeng, from the Beijing Sino-French Experimental School, who expressed his love for the series. Zhu said, "I used to love reading Harry Potter, but now my favorite books are from the pioneering Chinese figures story collections. These pioneers, although distinct from each other, all have captivating and moving stories." 

"We hope this series will embed the spirit of these pioneers deep within the hearts of young readers, guiding them to become valuable contributors to their nation and society," Bai told the Global Times.

Currently, the copyrights for 38 books have been licensed to 13 foreign countries and regions, including South Korea, Turkey, Thailand, Nepal, Pakistan, and India which are expected to promote the stories of Chinese figures to overseas readers in the near future.

Young readers take a group photo with authors of the book series and staff members from the publishers in Jinan, East China's Shandong Province. Photo: Courtesy of Jieli Publishing House

Appealing to children

Published through the collaborative efforts of the Party Building Books Publishing House and Jieli Publishing House, the series' four collections have enlisted 50 top-tier Chinese children's literature authors since its debut in May 2019. Writers such as Qin Wenjun, Xu Lu, and Tang Sulan, renowned for their literary achievements and awards, have expertly woven the narratives. The creation of the character stories is based on the writers' creative interests, intentions, and writing styles. To create content in a way that appeals to children's interests and preferences, the authors need to write about topics that children enjoy and engage with them on equal terms, using accessible language, details, and stories to inspire young readers.

For example, when authors Deng Xiangzi and Xie Changjiang were writing books about late Chinese agricultural scientist Yuan Longping, they emphasized selecting materials that were representative and expressive. In the narration of Yuan's experiences, they avoided direct discussions and evaluations of the characters. Instead, they used implicit language to depict the characters' personalities, psychology, and spirit. 

"We initially approached this collection as a series about ordinary individuals. By meticulously considering the perspective of young readers and using engaging narratives filled with childlike charm, we aimed to convey these pioneers' stories to children, guiding them toward the right aspirations, paths, and values," Bai noted.

While in the creative process, visits to the subjects' hometowns by the authors were organized, in which interviews are conducted and firsthand information from friends, family and colleagues was gathered. To experience the hardships of constructing and maintaining the high-altitude railway line, the writers followed the footsteps of the builders of the Qinghai-Xizang Railway, retracing the Qinghai-Xizang Line.

"By immersing themselves in the actual locations where pioneering figures' stories unfolded, the writers' creative processes were made more profound and authentic," Bai said.

The traditional Chinese edition of the series has received much acclaim in China's Hong Kong and Macao special administrative regions. Currently, over 5,000 copies have been sold in Hong Kong alone.

The touching stories of these Chinese pioneers have not only captivated young readers in China, but have also been gaining increasing recognition overseas.

Transcending borders

The book series has transcended borders, with editions in languages like Nepali and Turkish having already been published and well-received. 

Book reviews highlighted the Nepali versions of China's national women volleyball team and China's top respiratory disease expert Zhong Nanshan in Nepal's prominent publications in August 2021. The Turkish editions of Chinese mathematician Hua Luogeng, China's women's volleyball team, and Yuan Longping are expected to be published later this year. 

Moreover, Jieli Publishing House has been approached by multiple publishing houses overseas interested in publishing the book series in countries including Kazakhstan, Malaysia, India, Vietnam, Egypt, and Sri Lanka, totaling 43 editions.

Currently, Jieli Publishing House is planning the publication and release of the fifth batch of the Chinese pioneer stories collection, which is expected to include 21 new books to be finished in 2024. These will feature pioneering figures such as the Qinghai-Xizang Railway construction crew and the builders of the Hongqi Canal, bringing the total number of titles in the collection to 100.  

To promote the dissemination of the book series overseas, Jieli Publishing House has planned to undertake a variety of campaigns, including organizing overseas copyright promotion events and foreign language book publishing seminars, along with shared reading activities for young readers from various countries and regions, and holding reading competitions and rewarding outstanding readers.

"We will continue to promote the internationalization of this series, translating and publishing more books in various languages overseas, aiming to actively introduce the outstanding qualities of pioneering Chinese figures to readers around the world, tell compelling Chinese stories, and amplify the voice of China," Bai noted.

Wang Xiaochun contributed to this story