Chen Bochui facts for kids

Chen Bochui (pronounced Chen Bwo-chway) (1906–1997) was a very famous Chinese writer and translator. He was especially known for writing and translating books for children. He helped bring many classic stories to Chinese readers, like The Wizard of Oz, Don Quixote, Pushkin's Children's Tales, and Heidi.

Chen Bochui was so dedicated to children's literature that he used all his savings to create a special award. This award, called the Chen Bochui Children's Literature Award, helps encourage new children's writers. In China, he is often called the "Andersen of the East," like the famous fairy tale writer Hans Christian Andersen. He is also seen as one of the most important people who started modern Chinese children's literature.

Early Life and Career

Chen Bochui was born in 1906 in Luodian, a small town in the Baoshan area of China. He started working as a school teacher in 1922. This was his first step into a long career focused on education and writing.

By 1931, he became the editor of a magazine called Children’s Magazine. He was also a journalist, writing for newspapers, and a translator. Besides that, he wrote his own poems and novels.

Focus on Children's Books

After a major conflict, the Sino-Japanese War (1937-1945), Chen Bochui decided to focus mainly on writing and translating children's books. He believed these books were very important for young minds. In 1946, he helped start the Association of Children’s Book Authors in Shanghai. This group worked to support writers who created stories for kids.

After the People’s Republic of China was founded in 1949, Chen Bochui took on important roles. He became a Deputy Director at the Chinese Children’s Publishing House. He also directed the Shanghai Children’s Publishing House. These jobs allowed him to shape what children read across the country. He even taught as a professor at Beijing Normal University and was a member of the Chinese Writers Association.

The Chen Bochui Children's Literature Award

Chen Bochui wanted to make sure that children's literature in China continued to grow. In 1981, he made a very generous donation. He gave 55,000 Chinese Yuan, which was all his life savings, to create an award.

This award was first called the "Children's Literature Gardener Award." Its goal was to encourage new writers to create wonderful stories for children in China. This award laid the groundwork for what is now known as the Chen Bochui Children’s Literature Award (CICLA). It has honored many of China's best children's writers.

His Lasting Impact

The Chen Bochui Children's Literature Award was officially established in 1983. It continues to be a very important prize for children's literature in China. Today, you can visit a special memorial that features his work at the Baoshan District Public Library. It helps people remember his amazing contributions.