Xiao Bai misses Mom.

Author: (French) Fluri (French) Bouniol
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-09-01
Features: Little White feels a bit sad because Mom is on a business trip, and he misses her very much. However, Dad is at home and will play with Little White. Little White is a well-known character in France and is extremely beloved by children in Europe. This series of picture books uses the simple and adorable image of Little White to tell about the problems that young children often encounter in their daily lives. The entire book has a clean layout and bright colors. Since its publication, Little White has been translated into multiple languages, including German, English, Japanese, and Korean. This is the first time Little White has been introduced to mainland China. The ten life-like short stories are experiences that every child goes through during their growth: bedwetting, social interactions, missing Mom—under the guidance of parents, this book of stories for children allows them to take flight with their imagination, perceiving and touching the life around them.
The Arrow of Happiness
Little White is a little rabbit. But we see that he is actually a child. So, this series of stories about a little rabbit is, in essence, a story about a child. Children's stories are always everyday and simple: eating is a story, sleeping is a story, being happy is a story, being angry is a story, walking is a story, falling is a story, missing Mom is a story, walking up and down the train corridor is a story, singing a song of "La-la-la" is a story, and even wetting the bed and pants is a story.
When Little White wets his pants or the bed, Mom just says, "Oh! There was an 'accident.'" Dad is even more relaxed and knowledgeable: "Don't worry, dear. Everyone has gone through such things. Me, Mom, Grandpa, Grandma—we all have." The next day at school, Contant also wet the bed during his nap. Little White comforts him: "Don't worry, Natalee the teacher used to wet the bed too." Natalee says, "Yes, I used to wet the bed when I was little. Contant, change your clothes first, and then we can play together." So, in Little White's stories, we see the wisdom and composure of the "Big Whites," and we see how they deeply understand the innocence, naivety, and awkwardness of childhood, appreciating its precious simplicity, playfulness, and poetry. Of course, they know that every day of childhood is heading toward a certain direction—growing up—and that some truths are like road signs with arrows, guiding the way. Yet, they are very skilled in their approach, choosing the right words and tone, which surprises and moves us—it becomes almost an art! We can't help but regret that when our Little Whites were young, we didn't have the chance to read such stories and books, so that when we joined in their stories, we lacked fresh inspiration. When pointing the way forward with road signs, we weren't humorous enough. Otherwise, the feeling of growing up and the joy of reminiscence would have been even more delightful, and the brilliance we see in their personalities would have been greater!
We think such books are perfect for children to explore and read, but in fact, they are also particularly worth adults reading and reflecting on. Adults with children can share Little White with their Little Whites—the book can be in the child's hands or the adult's. It can be read aloud or told softly. The child finds their own joy and reflections in Little White's stories, while adults find their own likes and touches. Unexpected inspiration naturally becomes tomorrow's wisdom and composure. In Little White's tomorrow's stories, and in every story that follows, the same applies—you will still be part of it, but the ease and fun will never be the same. Many years later, the memories of Little White and your own will also be bright and joyful.
Slowly, I begin to understand that for a person, many small things and many big things—eventually, what is truly wanted is the brilliance that remains. Having it is already very good.
These books were translated by my daughter. I read her translations, filled with joy and emotion. She took these French stories and told them to us in Chinese, to many little Chinese children, and to many adults with little children. Her French is excellent. She will soon go to France to study new courses and pursue a higher degree. I am amazed at how quickly my child has grown. I have always felt guilty and blamed myself for not being a wiser and more composed father, so concerned about her childhood yet so lacking in inspiration, in ways, and in so much patience. As a result, her childhood didn't have enough joy. I always want to say to my little rabbit, "Forgive me!"
I believe that because of my recommendation, many children will finally find the joy they seek. Then they will leave behind more brilliance. That would be wonderful!