The annual Chen Bochui International Children’s Literature Award is coming as expected in Baoshan International Folk Arts Exposition on November 14

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Attending the awarding ceremony were Zong Ming, Deputy Mayor of Shanghai, Chen Jia’er, son of Mr. Chen Bochui, Academician of Chinese Academy of Sciences and former president of Peking University, Gu Honghui, Deputy Secretary General of Shanghai, Dong Yiwei, Deputy Director of the Print and Issuance Bureau of the Ministry of Publicity of the Communist Party of China, Zhang Zehui, Deputy Director of the Import Management Bureau of the CPC Publicity Department, Gao Hongbo, Chairman of the Judging Panel for 2019 Chen Bochui International Children’s Literature Award, Xu Jiong, Chairman of the “Chen Bochui International Children’s Literature Award” Council, Deputy Director of the Publicity Department of the CPC Shanghai Committee and Director of Shanghai Administration of Press and Publication, Wang Hong, Chairman of the “Chen Bochui International Children’s Literature Award” Council and Party Chief of Baoshan District, Fan Shaojun, Executive Chairman of the “Chen Bochui International Children’s Literature Award” Council, Deputy Party Chief and Governor of Baoshan, Li Ping, Chairman of the Baoshan District People’s Congress, and Zhao Yi, Standing Member of the CPC Baoshan District Committee and Director of the Publicity Department.

The winners of the 2019 Chen Bochui International Children’s Literature Award were unveiled. After the careful review and appraisal of Chinese and foreign judges, 14 works have stood out among all entrees and won the award. A total of 5 books won the Annual (Text) Book Award. They were “Old Rat Gets up Late” of Beijing Children’s Publishing House (By Ye Guangqin), “Summer with Pigeons” of Shandong Education Press (By Liu Haiqi), “Fireworks” of Changjiang Literature and Art Press (By Li Donghua), “Chasing” of Changjiang Children’s Press (By Xu Lu), and “Flying Wild Bees” of Jiangsu Phoenix Juvenile and Children’s Publishing House (By Huang Beijia).

A total of 5 books won the Annual (Picture) Book Award. They were “A Flying Bullet” of China Children’s Press & Publication House (Text by Bai Bing; Photo by Liu Zhenjun), “Don’t Let Sun Fall” of China Peace Publishing House (Text by Guo Zhenyuan; Photo by Zhu Chengliang), “Great War” of Italian Corraini Publishing House (Text & Photo by Andre Antinori), “Head & Tail: Insects” of Australian Burbey Press Private Limited Company (Text & Photo by John Canty), and “Anhedrina” of Brazilian Alphabet Publishing House (Text by Roger Mello; Photo by Mariana Mazzarani).

A total of 4 articles won the Annual Article Award. They are “Outward-facing Toe Cap” (By Long Xiangmei), “A Million Tomorrow” (By Qin Yingliang), “Children from Mountains” (By Yi Ping), and “Only An Article” (By Wang Wenhua).

To commend the children’s literature practitioners that have made outstanding contributions to children’s literature and Chinese and foreign children’s literature exchange, the Chen Bochui International children’s Literature Award has set up the Special Award of Merit. And this year’s Special Award of Merit went to the famous children’s literature translator, writer and publisher Ren Rongrong (China) and the children’s book historian and critic Leonard S. Marcus.

Wang Hong said that Baoshan has established the Chen Bochui Education Group, realized the appreciation, energizing and accurate supply of public cultural resources, and built the children’s literature reading sector. Welcome more children’s literature celebrities to come to understand and learn about Baoshan and welcome more new children’s literature reading industries to settle in Baoshan, thus increasing Baoshan’s development level and assisting the development of Chinese children’s books. Baoshan will also make use of Bologna Children’s Book Fair as an international platform to make new contributions to the “Shanghai Culture” brand construction, assist the spread of excellent Chinese cultural brands around the world, and offer China wisdom to the development of children’s literature in the world.

“Chen Bochui Children’s Literature Award”, founded in 1981, is the first children’s literature award named after a well-known writer in China. To further prosper children’s literature creation, offer more high-quality mental nourishment to children, and commend children’s literature creator, children’s literature workers and relevant personnel across the world that have made outstanding achievements in children’s literature, Shanghai Press and Publication Administration, Shanghai Baoshan District People’s Government and Chen Bochui Children’s Literature Found Specialized Committee jointly determined to change “Chen Bochui Children’s Literature Award” into “Chen Bochui International Children’s Literature Award” in 2014 and the 1st appraisal activity was held that year. This award is appraised every year and has been included in the important awards of “China Shanghai International Children’s Book Fair”. The 2019 Chen Bochui International Children’s Literature Award was launched in March this year and has been actively participated by major children’s book publishing institutions at home and abroad, and the number of countries and regions involved has presented a remarkable increase. In particular, there were 198 articles, 136 (text) books, and 336 (picture) books from 33 countries and regions.

The participating text books and articles are of ingenious design and different types and focus on excavating children’s inner life and exploring the true meaning of life, showing a brand-new look of “Childhood in China”. These works have reflected such social issues as stay-at-home children, school bullying and environmental protection and also depicted the traditional culture and folk customs across China. The careful observation on the pain of youth, the warm care for the road of growth, the calm inquires on human nature, and the persistent pursuit on ideal have been fully shown between lines. The writers have made every simple story on growth very interesting and colorful through their sophisticate style and poetic and innocent language.

2019 Chen Bochui International Children’s Literature Award has solicited picture books from all over the world and the creators have depicted the vigorous world from the perspective of children and with exquisite art design. These works of adventurous imagination, brilliant colors, sincere, humorous and delicate expression have shown the common feelings of different cultural backgrounds.

The Awards Committee consisted of famous children’s literature writers, literature critics, illustrators and publishers at home and abroad, and it has paid more attention to the children’s perspective and expression and encouraged innovative works of highlighted themes, distinct style, unique imagination and innovative design apart from evaluating their overall quality. Let’s pay a tribute to the creators and publishers that have contributed to the prosperous development of children’s literature.