Finding its way in the tide of globalization: Tendency and deficiency in Chinese children’s literature since the mid-1990s

Abstract

Based on an outline of the major transformations in modern Chinese children’s literature throughout the past 100 years, this paper analyzes changes, tendencies and problems in Chinese children’s literary creation and literary studies from the mid-1990s to the present. In this era of globalization and commercialism, Chinese writers for children seem to be divided into three groups, the steadfast guardians of pure literary creation, market-driven commercialized writers, and frustrated self-questioners. Since the 1990s, with unprecedented passion, creativity, and dedication, Chinese writers have produced many excellent original works for children. However, compared with Western classic works for children, Chinese children’s literature in general suffers from a thematic and aesthetic deficiency. Lack of profound themes and ingenious artistic techniques plagues most of China’s original creations. What is the direction of Chinese children’s literature in the age of globalization? What does it need? Quantity or quality? Westernization or localization? Pure literary creation or commercially-oriented writing? Literary or cultural studies?