Reflection on “China cracks down on foreign children’s books,” by Benjamin Haas and Tom Phillips

For this post, I will be discussing the recent cutback of foreign storybook titles in China. I Read the article “China cracks down on foreign children’s books,” by Benjamin Haas and Tom Phillips. The article discusses how the communist party has affected stories for children. The article mentions, “According to Hong Kong’s South China Morning Post, Chinese publishers have received orders that the number of foreign picture books being printed in China must be slashed.” One of the most consistent reasons that government officials are pointing to is the avoidance of, “inflow of ideology,” (Haas, Phillips).

I think this is a major problem for China. Throughout my semester, reading children’s books that represent all different types of people and cultures, I have learned there is a lot I don’t know. I have realized that the more people don’t know, the more they can be ignorant to a topic. This ignorance can quickly lead to hate and bullying just from a lack of understanding. I think China might be locking themselves into a very narrow vision with banning books not published in China. I think there are so many lessons that can be learned from everyone. It would be a waste to not take advice wherever you can get it, and China is turning down knowledge from a whole section of the planet.

In my head, this will cause the adults of the future in China, to not accept people they do not know, or know about. I think children’s books can serve as a great entry point for kids to learn about all different types of things and people. If we do not spark this curiosity in children about the world around them, then they will grow up having a biased view on earth and less of a fair shot at success.

Works Cited

Haas, Benjamin, and Tom Phillips. “China Cracks down on Foreign Children’s Books.” The Guardian, Guardian News and Media, 13 Mar. 2017.