A Yang Peng

　　Q Zhao Yixue

Yang Peng

Chinese writer

　　Q How do you think of the development of science books for Children and adults ?

　　A Actually in the last few decades, science books for children and science books for adults are developing on two different tracks. Adult science develops well in recent years, but it does not fundamentally reinforces the other.

　　Besides, science books for children are developing well in China, but are seldom covered by the press. My book Three Musketeers on Campus have been sold 4 million copies. The “bad” thing is, there is little publicity on the achievement, but such a low profile does not mean underdevelopment.

　　Q With diversified demands from children, what is the role of science books for children in their science education?

　　A Science books have a strong in fluence on children’s way of thinking, world view, operational ability and approach to handle matters. The most important reason to become a writer for children’s science books is my extensive reading of science books before university. It is unfair that the public put too much emphasis on children’s literature while ignore science books.

　　Q In the ranking list of science books, most introduced books are often on the top. What do you think Chinese writers could learn from introduced science books?

　　A Most imported science books are kind of better than Chinese original readings, and that is why the imported science books are always on the top of ranking list. I believe creative experience of foreign children’s science books that deserves for reference is as follows: First of all, science writers from western countries are more open, creative, and unfettered in writing principles. Take Horrible Science as an example, it not only has solid scientific content, but also combines with various elements like comics, humorous as well as horror novels, scientific experiments, and so on, which makes people feel that everything can be presented in the book only if it can be imagined and is interesting as well as suitable for children to read.

　　Secondly, some authors of imported works are more professional than Chinese writers. Many Chinese science writers or scientists would not prefer to write books for children, thinking such works are too childish. They may write books by publishing houses’invites, but their works are hard to grab children’s attention. Although they are professional in science, in the creation of children’s books, they are not. Authors of imported works, in turn, perform well.

　　In addition, many classic science books have been created as well as developed for decades. They focus on inheritance, diligence, and Craftsman Spirit, repeatedly polish a work until it becomes a national intellectual property brand, and still not stop. China also has science books which have become well-known brands, such as Hundred Thousand Whys , but they are disapointing in protecting the brand, advancing with the times, upgrading, globalizing, or other aspects. However, I believe Chinese writers and publishers will sooner or later establish more quality brands for children’s science books.