Putting in a good word

Words and illustrations can sometimes provide a clearer picture of everyday heroics. Illustrator Sun Wentao, confined to his study in Wuhan, Hubei province, the epicenter of the novel coronavirus outbreak, has been inspired by the heroes battling the virus, drawing sketches for an upcoming picture book that addresses the epidemic.

Sun and the other members of the illustration team felt the urge to produce the book as quickly as possible. They felt duty bound, in such a critical period, to tell these stories in a way that everyone can understand.

Despite being homebound in their individual residences and without all of the necessary drawing tools, Sun and his colleagues managed to complete illustrations for the 40-page picture book, titled Waiting for My Daddy. They released a digital edition for free circulation on Feb 12, just 17 days after the idea was initiated by Changjiang Children's Press. Normally the timeline for such a task can be measured in months.

Two audio versions, one narrated by an adult, one by a boy, were also released. Meanwhile, a namesake song was created to accompany the book. It is yet to be decided whether it will be published in print.

"We are so happy that, with our combined efforts, we could create the picture book in such a tight schedule," Sun says with a smile.

Sun and his colleagues at the Wuhan-based publisher have been witnesses of, and impressed by, the contribution of doctors and nurses fighting to save lives at the front line of the epidemic, according to He Long, president of the Changjiang Children's Publishing Group, which runs Changjiang Children's Press.

He says: "We're touched by the courage and determination of these medical workers and many from other walks of life that are involved. We want to fight against the virus together with them－with the book, we are eager to inspire young readers, making our contribution with what we're good at."

Sun and other illustrators, as well as the book's author, Chen Ying, are all the publisher's employees.

The idea of making the picture book came after the team was deeply moved by a news photo showing a mother in army uniform wiping tears off her girl's face, before leaving for Wuhan on Lunar New Year's Eve. That scene turned out to be the inspiration, says Yao Lei, editor-in-chief of Changjiang Children's Press.

"Many children of working parents have similar experiences, especially when their parents have to leave for work. And at this critical time, the sad farewell to their parents seems even harder for children," Yao says. "These parents had little time to fully explain their absence from Spring Festival reunions upon receiving the call to join the mission."

The book is narrated by a boy discussing his disappointment when his father has to leave to treat patients and is unable to keep his promise of playing with him during the holiday. The child's resentment wanes as he sees the empty streets.

In his dream, behind a glass wall, he sees his father in medical protective clothing, saying sorry to him with a note on paper slip. With his written reply, the boy tells his father to take care and he will wait for his daddy's return, and will save his favorite candy as a homecoming gift.

From a kid's perspective, the book combines basic knowledge of the virus in its plotline, and serves as a record of the heroes everybody could become, says Liu Jiapeng, head editor of the publisher's picture book department.

"We hope the book helps to plant a seed of social duty and selfless undertaking in the younger readers' hearts," says Liu.

Aside from depicting the child's mindset, the illustrations also feature Wuhan's landmarks, like the Yellow Crane Tower and the Yangtze River, to add a touch of realism.

Besides this picture book, the publisher released another popular science book titled A Brief History of Viruses for Children (Illustrated), also made in just six days, and free online.

"Knowledge is one key to defeat the disease and the fear," says He.

He's idea is echoed by editors from Beijing-headquartered World Publishing Corp, who decided to cater to the psychological needs for Chinese people.

In a seven-day blitz, on Feb 11 the publisher released a handbook of psychological self-help information and offered it for free on multiple online platforms.

Under a guideline issued by the National Health Commission on emergent psychological crisis intervention work amid the epidemic, Hu Ping, with Renmin University of China, and her colleagues are manning hotlines that offer counseling. They compiled the book to help readers learn how to conduct psychological assessments and emotional adjustments in practical ways, how to de-stress, or find solutions when they fear they may get infected.

Sharing resources

The two publishers are among many that have sought to offer their creative expertise through releasing e-books, audio books and online lectures to the public for free.

People's Literature Publishing House was among the first to open up access to its audio books in late January. The books contain popular literary classics and works by contemporary writers. And many publishers have joined in the effort since the National Press and Publication Administration called out on Feb 6 to encourage publishers to share their resources for free.

Also based in Wuhan, the Changjiang Literature and Art Press provided digital resources of more than 1,000 books for free in February.

People's Publishing House has released more than 100 titles in both audio and e-book formats, and initiated a plan to publish 10 books with themes related to the epidemic.

It also advanced publishing date of the e-version of A Century Record of Vaccine in China, a completion of reports about the diseases and disasters China survived, which initially was set to be released in August. The book is now available online for free.

Facing a nationwide crisis, the publishers' swift reaction is revealing new challenges as well as opportunities for the publishing sector.

In recent years, more Chinese publishers are trying to expand the boundary of publishing by not only bringing good content from authors to the market, but also initiating and creating projects centered on self-owned intellectual properties, or IPs－titles penned by staff writers or illustrators.

Waiting for My Daddy is one such IP book. Its publisher had set up a picture-book research center, which collected firsthand stories of the fight against the epidemic. It has award-winning writers and its own illustration team that have a loyal following among both children and parents, and has platforms to create other adaptations.

"From the beginning of every title, we explore its potential for audio editions, streamed lectures, videos or other adaptations. Then our respective professional teams follow up," Liu says.

It's a trend that publishers make full use of IP content on various platforms, as was shown at the 2020 Beijing Book Fair, a major event held in January. Many publishers produce their content on various platforms to cater to the needs of the market, such as online lectures, audio books or videos.

Such books include Freshman Readings in English, a best-selling collection by China Translation Publishing House. This is a replica of English textbooks from the National Southwest Associated University (1937-46). Another example is The English-Chinese Dictionary, by Shanghai Translation Publishing House, whose online series of lectures titled The Tidbit will be released, with the aim of attracting readers with vivid illustrations of the dictionary's entries and examples.