The Similarities between Two English/Chinese Bilingual Children’s Picture Books Publishers

Qiaoya Huang

Abstract


Bilingual children’s picture books are one means of preparing students for living in our global society and diverse environments. The educational values of high-quality bilingual children’s picture books have been confirmed by studies. Although numerous bilingual children’s picture books are readily available in the current market, these books vary in quality. It is our responsibility to ensure readers get access to high quality bilingual children’s picture books. To assist teachers and parents in selecting high-quality English/Chinese bilingual children’s picture books for the school curriculum and family literacy practice, this study examines the similar features of English/Chinese bilingual children’s picture books from different publishers. The researchers investigates the similarities between two major English/Chinese bilingual children’s picture books publishers: Mantra Lingua and Milet. The similarities between 31 English/Chinese bilingual children’s picture books collected from these publishers were examined. Specifically, similar features were scrutinized in the following areas: topic, Chinese language selection, Chinese translator, Chinese translation errors, information about the illustrator and translator, qualified author or illustrator, information about the book, illustration, and theme. The results display the similar features of the English/Chinese bilingual children’s picture books reviewed from Mantra Lingua and Milet and present them for consideration by students, teachers, and parents. Furthermore, the results suggest the areas where future bilingual children’s picture books publishers can improve to produce high-quality bilingual children’s picture books.


Keywords


Differences, English/Chinese, bilingual children’s picture books publishers, children’s literature

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