The Complete Works of Ye Shengtao's Children's Literature (Volume 1 and Volume 2)

Author: Ye Shengtao
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-04-01
Features: Ye Shengtao (1894–1968), born Shaojun, was a native of Suzhou, Jiangsu. He was a renowned writer and educator. His father worked as an accountant for a landlord family, and the family lived in modest circumstances. In 1907, he entered Caoqiao Middle School and, after graduation, became a teacher at an elementary school. In 1914, he was dismissed from the school and, during his period of seclusion, published classical prose and novels in magazines such as Laihouliu (Saturday). In autumn 1915, he moved to Shanghai to teach Chinese at Shanggong School, affiliated with the Commercial Press, and also compiled primary school Chinese textbooks for the press. In 1917, he was hired to teach at the fifth higher primary school in Luzhi, Wu County, which he called his "second hometown." In 1921, he co-founded the Literary Research Association with Shen Yanbing, Zheng Zhenduo, and others. During the 1920s, he published a series of short story collections, including The Wall, Fire, Below the Surface, In the City, and The Unfading Collection, as well as the novel Ni Huanzhi. His early novels mostly depicted the monotonous lives of intellectuals and petty bourgeoisie, with representative works such as Mr. Pan in Distress. Later, he shifted to capturing major themes related to the struggle against the times, such as Night and Ni Huanzhi, which more profoundly reflected the social reality before and after the Second National Revolution. His novels exhibit a simple yet sharp artistic style. After the "September 18th Incident," he actively participated in patriotic and anti-Japanese activities and published famous short stories such as A Little More Harvest. His writing skills became increasingly refined. During the War of Resistance Against Japan, he moved to Sichuan for work and life, focusing mainly on essays and literary criticism. His major essay collections include Footsteps, Essays from Unyajü, West River Collection, and Ten Short Notes. His essays are sincere in emotion, enduring in interest, and clean in language, often rich in social content. Notable essays include Lotus and Water Chestnut, May 31st in a Heavy Rain, Morning Glories, and Spring Couplets. The complete collection is divided into two volumes: the first includes fairy tales, life stories, and essays, while the second contains novels, children's songs, short plays, and reimagined works. The entire collection comprises 192 pieces. The Complete Collection of Ye Shengtao's Children's Literature differs slightly in arrangement from the previously published Complete Collection of Bing Xin's Children's Literature and Complete Collection of Zhang Tianyi's Children's Literature. The titles of each section are named after previously published collections: fairy tales are titled The Weaver Girl and the Cowherd, The Stone Image of Ancient Heroes, and Birds and Beasts Speak; life stories are titled Hope You Are Like This; essays are titled The Sunrise Over the Sea; novels are titled The Neighbors; songs and children's songs are titled Cold Places in the North; short plays and similar works are titled Night Work; and reimagined works are included under the title The Cowherd and the Weaver Girl. For this edition, with the help of Ye Zhishan and Ye Xiaomo, we have selected and compiled The Commercial Press Primary School Chinese Textbooks, edited by Ye Shengtao, bringing many nearly lost works back to readers. Ye Shengtao's literary achievements are multifaceted. In the selection process, we carefully read and appreciated every work written for or suitable for children, ensuring they were included in this collection. All works included remain in their original form, with only minor corrections to individual words or phrases. To provide readers with a comprehensive understanding of Ye Shengtao's contributions and accomplishments, we have also compiled a Brief Chronology of Ye Shengtao's Life and appended it at the end of the book.