Zhang Tianyi facts for kids

Zhang Tianyi (born September 26, 1906 – died April 28, 1985) was a famous Chinese writer from the 20th century. His real name was Zhang Yuanding. He was well-known for his clever and funny stories and novels. Many of his works were for children, and they became very popular in the 1930s.

About Zhang Tianyi

Zhang Tianyi was born in the city of Nanjing, China, in 1906. Before a big war called the Second Sino-Japanese War, he worked in different jobs. He was a teacher, a journalist (someone who writes for newspapers), and a small government official.

His writing career began in the 1920s. In the early 1930s, he joined groups that supported new ideas for society. He continued to write during the war and after the People's Republic of China was formed. He also held important positions, like being the editor of a literary magazine called Renmin Wenxue, which means People's Literature.

Some of his most famous novels include Big Lin and Little Lin, The Kingdom of Golden Ducks, and The Secret of the Magic Gourd.

Zhang Tianyi's Books

Because of the political situation in China at the time, much of Zhang Tianyi's writing had to be published in secret magazines. These were the first full versions of his works.

Short Stories and Other Writings

• "A Three-and-a-Half Days' Dream" (1929)
• "Mr. Jing Ye" (1930)
• "Revenge" (1930 to 1931)
• "The Sorrows of Pig Guts" (1931)
• "On the Lack of Vigor in Composition: Its Reasons and its Cure" (1932)
• "A Tale of Writing" (1933)
• "Tips" (1933)
• "A Hyphenated Story" (1934)
• "Smile" (1934)
• "Strange Encounter" (1934)
• "The Bulwark" (1936)
• "Mr. Hua Wei" (1938)
• "Art and Struggle" (1939)
• "The Story of Luo Wenying" (1952)

Novels and Longer Stories

• A Diary of Hell (1931)
• Big Lin and Little Lin (1932)
• The Cogwheel (1932)
• One Year (1933)
• Changing Paths (1934)
• The Pidgin Warrior (1936)
• In the City (1937)
• Friends-Pioneers (1956)
• The Secret of the Magic Gourd (1958)
• The Kingdom of Golden Ducks (1980)