Nature: Poetic and Picturesque Landscapes, Lovers' Journey in the Mountains and Waters

Author: Li Xianyao
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2003-01-01
Features: The "Green Olive Series" is a distinctive collection aimed at popularizing environmental knowledge and ecological culture, and it is highly recommended to readers, especially young ones. The series consists of four sub-series:
- "Neighbors of Humanity" (Friends Among Birds, Beasts, Insects, and Fish);
- "Green Earth Village" (Loving Our Mountains and Rivers);
- "Journey in Nature" (Poetic Landscapes and Love for Nature);
- "Fables of Tomorrow" (A Red Book on Environmental Protection).
From these thoughtfully crafted and poetic titles, it is clear that the series covers animal worlds, green planting and pest control, landscape appreciation, and environmental concerns. With over 200 articles, it includes both classic works from China and abroad, such as Lu Xun's "About the Caterpillar" (from The Tomb - Spring End Leisure Talk), Jean-Henri Fabre's "The Life of a Cicada," and Yasutaka Kobayashi's "The Grass Owl," as well as contemporary essays and sketches by renowned Chinese writers like Wang Zengqi, Wang Meng, Li Guowen, Huang Zongying, He Wei, Yu Guangzhong, Ye Nan, Li Cunbao, Zhao Lirong, and Xu Gang. There are also informative pieces by figures such as Zhou Jianren, Deng Tuo, Fei Xiaotong, Liang Sicheng, Qian Xuesen, Cao Juren, and Yang Xianyi. The series is rich in content, exquisite in writing, imbued with profound wisdom, and reflects a deep cultural heritage—these are its outstanding features.
From the perspective of literary function, the series is also carefully curated and categorized. The first sub-series focuses on birds, beasts, insects, and fish, emphasizing intellectual enrichment and offering significant educational value. For example, after reading it, I learned that the "Twin-Flying Butterfly" is not, as demonstrated on stage, a pair of brightly colored butterflies—the female is quite unattractive. I also gained insight into the Yangtze River Dolphin, a national treasure on the brink of extinction (a mammal, not a fish), which is even more precious than the giant panda. I believe young readers will find both knowledge and inspiration in these stories.
The second sub-series on mountains, waters, and gardens emphasizes aesthetic appreciation. Exploring the hidden gems of our homeland's landscapes, studying the world's extraordinary peaks and valleys, and observing folk customs and ecological environments not only broadens our horizons and helps us appreciate the diversity of the world but also teaches us from the peaceful attitudes of our ancestors in admiring nature rather than "conquering" it. This fosters a sense of kindness, care for life and the world, and embodies gentleness and benevolence.
The third sub-series on plants and flowers primarily conveys environmental ethics and the moral education of nature. Plants are not without emotion. If humans continue to destroy the flora that sustains us, leaving the Earth barren, we may regress to the primitive Stone Age. Life calls for greenery, and afforestation, returning farmland to forests and grasslands, and achieving urban and rural greening are indeed long-term, child-focused initiatives to improve public awareness and advance the process of spiritual civilization.
The fourth sub-series is a call to save our planet, expressing deep concern over the worsening environmental degradation and serving as a wake-up call. Pollution of rivers and lakes, soil erosion, resource depletion, expanding desertification, global warming, and the sharp decline in biodiversity have brought natural disasters and social problems that trouble all of humanity. The articles in this sub-series expose the public hazards that pollute the environment and the culprits behind ecological destruction—all of which are human actions. This demands profound reflection.
The rise and growing importance of environmental awareness and ecological culture can be seen as a reflection of the deepening implementation of the guiding principle of "advancing with the forefront of advanced culture." The publication of the "Green Olive Series" marks the initial success of the dedicated efforts of environmental experts and volunteers. May this branch of the Green Olive, symbolizing life, peace, and hope, flourish. We also hope for more environmental literary works and science-related readings to emerge and spread widely.