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Best-selling Chinese Picture Book Series about Covid-19 published in the UK Phoenix Children’s Publishing has sold rights in 19 territories

Best-selling Chinese Picture Book Series about Covid-19 published in the UK Phoenix Children’s Publishing has sold rights in 19 territories

Fighting the Epidemic, Staying at Home Series (6 picture books)

By various authors and illustrators, including Zhao Ling, Zhang Xiaoling, Yan Qing

Translated by Helen Wang

Published in the UK by New Classic Press

First published by Phoenix Juvenile and Children's Publishing Ltd. (China)

UK print and Kindle edition, available on Amazon from May 2021

Price per book: £9.99


[MAY, LONDON]: New Classic Press launches the UK edition of Fighting the Epidemic: Staying at Home Series, six children’s picture books about Covid-19.

 

From some of China’s best loved Children's authors, including authors Zhao Ling and Zhang Xiaoling (winner of the Feng Zikai Chinese Children’s Picture Book Award) and illustrator Yan Qing (shortlisted for the Biennial of Illustration Bratislava), the series was first published by Phoenix Juvenile and Children’s Publishing Ltd. in China in early 2020. Since then, the international rights have been sold to 19 countries worldwide, and translated into many languages. The series has been translated into English by Helen Wang.

 

This bestselling series was created in January 2020. Phoenix Juvenile and Children’s Publishing Ltd invited some of China’s top children’s writers and illustrators to create six picture books designed to help children through the pandemic. Written from a young child’s perspective, the six books fully express the theme of great love through different families and lives.

 

Fighting the Epidemic series includes:

 

1. A Journey of 9000 Millimetres, by Zhang Xiaoling, illustrated by Yan Qing

2. Grandpa’s Fourteen Games, by Zhao Ling, illustrated by Huang Lili

3. Levin the Cat, by Tao Jiu, illustrated by Yang Shanshan

4. Empty Lunch Box, by Ai Wen’er, Xing Huo, Illustrated by Xing Huo

5. Mum is Hiding, by Qian Mo, illustrated by Zhou Yi

6. The Mask that Loved to Count, written and illustrated by Luo Xi

 

The series has been translated into English by Helen Wang, a curator at the British Museum and winner of the Marsh Christian Award for Children's Literature in Translation.

 

Helen Wang, British translator of Fighting the Epidemic series, said:

“This was a milestone publication in China. The six books are engaging and empathetic stories about changes in family life during the pandemic, and present a variety of situations from a child’s perspective. They offer practical and reassuring information – not only what key workers are doing, and how everyone can help to fight the virus, but also show how to articulate feelings (fear, sadness, boredom, missing loved ones, etc) and think of creative ways to help each other through difficult times.”

 

Wang Yongbo, President of Phoenix Juvenile and Children's Publishing Ltd, said:

“Fighting The Epidemic series helped many families in China talk to young children about the pandemic. We are delighted to see this important series published in English and in translation by Helen Wang. Reading can help us travel beyond our own space and I hope young readers in the UK will read these stories and feel empathy for young people in China. We can use books to help to share worldwide experiences of children and young people coping with and responding to Covid-19.”

 

Keywords: Covid-19, empathy, responsibility, child development, emotional literacy, well-being

 

-Ends-

 

About Phoenix Juvenile and Children’s Publishing Ltd

Phoenix Juvenile and Children’s Publishing Ltd. (Jiangsu Juvenile and Children’s Publishing House) is a professional publisher for children and juveniles. Its excellent editing and binding quality have attracted publishers from all over the world. With almost 1000 rights titles sold to European and American countries and Southeast Asia. It’s bestselling title Bronze and Sunflower written by Cao Wenxuan, translated by Helen Wang, copyrights has sold 19 countries and received many international awards, such as Publishers Weekly Best Books of the Year.

 

Helen Wang, English Translator

Helen Wang studied Chinese at the University of London’s School of Oriental and African Studies, and is now a curator at the British Museum. In 2017 she won the Marsh Christian Award for Children’s Literature in Translation, in the UK, for Cao Wenxuan’s novel Bronze and Sunflower, and a Chen Bochui Special Award in China.

 

Fighting the Epidemic

Written from a young child’s perspective, the six books present the pandemic as experienced by six different families and lives. Addressing both practical and emotional needs, these are stories of empathy, focusing on the philosophical wisdom and human kindness shown by ordinary people when they suddenly face difficulties. Through literary and artistic expression the series aims to help children understand and cope with crises and difficulties, and to feel the kindness and love of the world. 

 

1. A Journey of 9000 Millimetres

Author: Zhang Xiaoling, Illustrator: Yan Qing

Missing their parents, who are working at the hospital, a young boy and his sister have to entertain themselves. When they measure their apartment, they discover it is a massive 9000 mm long, and set off on a journey of imagination and adventure.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/191255397X

2. Grandpa’s Fourteen Games

Author: Zhao Ling, Illustrator: Huang Lili

After the Chinese Spring Festival, Dad and Mum head to Wuhan to fight the pandemic, leaving their young daughter at home with Grandpa. He devises an interesting new game each day for 14 days, and only then does she discover they had been in quarantine all that time.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1912553880

3. Levin the Cat

Author: Tao Jiu, Illustrator: Yang Shanshan

Levin the cat has a mind of his own. When his owner, nurse Jing, has to stay at the hospital, she arranges for him to move to a new home. As he adapts to his new life, he realises how much people are doing to fight the virus, and finds his own ways to help.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1912553899

4. The Empty Lunch Box

Author: Ai Wen’er, Xing Huo Illustrator: Xing Huo

Because of Covid-19 and lockdown, the streets are empty. A young girl and her grandmother stop putting food in the old lunch box for the little stray dog. Instead, they take the dog home and he becomes part of the family.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1912553988

5. Mum is Hiding

Author: Qian Mo Illustrator: Zhou Yi

With Dad working in Africa, and Mum in self-isolation at home, Nina is in a bad mood. Nothing seems to go right. The situation improves when they talk and sing together on the phone, and Nina becomes a hero, helping the health-worker save mum.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1912553961

6. The Mask that Loved to Count

Author: Luo Xi Illustrator: Luo Xi

The mask that loves to count is an N95 respirator, a special mask saved for when someone really needs it. Impatient to be used, the mask counts everything it sees, and gradually learns that its role is also to bring hope to its owner.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1912553945

Sunflower, and a Chen Bochui Special Award in China.

 

Fighting the Epidemic

Written from a young child’s perspective, the six books present the pandemic as experienced by six different families and lives. Addressing both practical and emotional needs, these are stories of empathy, focusing on the philosophical wisdom and human kindness shown by ordinary people when they suddenly face difficulties. Through literary and artistic expression the series aims to help children understand and cope with crises and difficulties, and to feel the kindness and love of the world.

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