Children's Books 童书
Finn: Once upon a time there was a princess called Yang Li…
Yang Li: Ha ha. Really, Finn? You have certainly put a smile on my face. Thank you. Once upon a time 意思是从前，这是许多英国传统童话故事的固定开头语。
Finn: That's right. And today in Ask About Britain we're answering a question from Cindy in Dalian.
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Hi, I am Cindy from Dalian, China. I am obsessed with Harry Potter series and I am really into British children’s literature. Therefore, I want to know what books British parents read to their children. Thanks.
Yang Li: Cindy, 和其他很多人一样，也是一名哈迷，对哈利波特特别着迷is obsessed with哈利波特系列片。不过她想知道除了哈利波特之外英国的父母们还给孩子们读哪些书呢？
Finn: Yes, she says she's really into children's literature. If you are really into something it means you really like it.
Yang Li: So, what children's books were you into, as a kid, Finn? Or rather, are you into as a big kid?
Finn: A big kid? I am a big kid. Well as a small kid, I really, really liked the fantasy novels of CS Lewis. Now I think people might know The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe?
Yang Li: Yes.
Finn: And also I really liked some other books. They were quite dark, and more humorous and imaginative: the books of Road Dahl. For instance, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. You know that one?
Yang Li: Yes. Finn 说他特别喜爱这些书，现在都改编拍成了巨额大片。狮子、女巫、魔衣橱还有查理与巧克力工厂。You used the word fantasy, didn't you?
Finn: Yes, fantasy novels 幻想小说。
Yang Li: And humorous, 幽默的。
Finn: That's right. Now, Cindy's question was about which books British parents read to their children now. Let's hear from some British parents. First, here's Mark.
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A lot of the books that I tend to read him are books that I myself enjoyed as a young kid, or my younger brother enjoyed.
The Mr Men books in particular are very appealing to my little boy because they are very visually strong. Lots of primary colours and strong outlines to the images. And the stories are quaint, I suppose you would say. Quite sweet.
Yang Li: Mark 有个小儿子，非常喜欢听一套叫Mr Men的童话书。这套书描绘的是几个简单的动画人物，使用基本色，原色primary colours.
Finn: Yes, he says they are visually strong 非常醒目。
Yang Li: And also quaint 古雅的、离奇有趣的，很有意思他说，他小的时候As a young kid也很喜欢这套童话书. Were you the same, Finn?
Finn: Yes, actually I loved the Mr Men books too. They were very simple stories with funny, colourful pictures!
Yang Li: 不过，好的童话不仅仅在于它的插图精美。据Alice 介绍，对于年龄稍大些的儿童，什么更为重要呢？ What is important to them?
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For older children, I think they like a bit of a plot and some historical figures, some fantasy. So, King Arthur, or Alice in Wonderland where there are all these dreams and figures from your imagination. And I think it helps to have nice pictures, but plot’s more important as you get older.”
Finn: What did Alice say was important to slightly older children? Plot.
Yang Li: Plot 故事情节。她还说，年龄稍大的儿童可能对那些更为完整的故事感兴趣，比如，King Arthur亚瑟王的故事和Alice in Wonderland 爱丽丝漫游奇境记。
Finn: Well, I hope that gives Cindy an idea of some of the kinds of books which
British parents like to read to their kids. Have you read any of these Li?
Yang Li: Certainly King Arthur and Alice in Wonderland.
Finn: I love King Arthur. Which do you prefer?
Yang Li: Alice in Wonderland.
Finn: And what about children's literature in China? Would you say the same kinds of things are popular?
Yang Li: From what I remember, 安徒生童话，特别有名！
Finn: 安徒生童话，是不是那个Hans Christian Anderson's fairy tales?
Yang Li: That's right. Of course there are lots of good Chinese fairy tales too.
Finn: Absolutely. Well, if you have any other questions about British culture, please email us at chinaelt@bbc.co.uk.
Yang Li: And they all lived happily ever after.
Finn: What?
Yang Li: And they all lived happily ever after! Isn't that how all children's stories end?
Finn: Oh, yes! And they all lived happily ever after. Bye for now.
Yang Li: Bye.
词汇学习：
1. once upon a time 从前
2. obsessed with 特别着迷
3. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe 狮子、女巫、魔衣橱
4. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory查理与巧克力工厂
5. primary colours 基本色，原色
6. visually strong 非常醒目
7. plot 故事情节
8. King Arthur 亚瑟王
9. Hans Christian Anderson's fairy tales 安徒生童话
10. Alice in Wonderland 爱丽丝漫游奇境记