Working mother and little lady baby

Author: Nan Ni
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-01-01
Features: The Best Bedtime Stories of 2005, a follow-up to Nan Ni's bestseller The Stylish Dad and the Cool Son. This is a heartwarming book. Starting from the character introductions on the title page, it tickles your funny bone. Whether it's the makeup artist Mother Circle, the struggling actor Father Circle, or the twin great-grandmothers (one is called "Second Grandmother Circle"), or the French cuisine-loving Grandfather Circle, they are all vivid and era-specific humorous characters. The protagonist, Circle, is no exception. This kindergartener who loves beauty, procrastinates, admires her mother, and teases her father, embodies the cuteness and flaws of modern children.
Mother Circle speaks quickly and earnestly, determined to turn her daughter into a modern lady, only to find that things rarely go as planned. While raising a child is full of trivialities and hardships, it also brings joys and rewards that others can't understand. Children may be naive and ignorant, but they often have wisdom and insightful remarks that make adults think. These diary-style, concise writings resemble the patchwork of life fragments, seemingly casual yet intimate and tangible. I can imagine the author's state of mind while writing—rather than creating, it's more like recording and distilling the essence of life.
Even when writing The Stylish Dad and the Cool Son, Nan Ni declared that she would not "fabricate" stories or "lower herself to act small." Perhaps it's precisely because of this that her creative stance differs from other children's literature writers. Although the material is still derived from life, Nan Ni's writing seems more rustic, authentic, spontaneous, and relaxed. This style is approachable for adults and fun for children.
Worth mentioning is the illustration by children's painter Feng Niankang. The humorous and exaggerated character images, combined with warm colors, complement the text perfectly. Holding a book, admiring the delightful illustrations, and laughing heartily while feeling a gentle touch in your heart—such a book is one that you won't regret reading.