The series Graded Readers for Chinese Language Learners is composed of 50 books, divided into three subseries, namely folktales,
literary stories and historical stories, corresponding to Levels 1-3
respectively. The rich and fun content and easy-to-understand language makes it
easy for everyone, whether they are foreigners learning Chinese, children with
parents of Chinese origin, ethnic minority students of the Chinese language, or
even primary school students in China, to read this series. It enables the
readers to gradually improve their Chinese reading skills and enhance their
understanding of Chinese culture by reading and enjoying stories.
The “Folktales” subseries includes 10 stories, hence 10 books, adapted
from folk legends, each book written in 20,000-30,000 Chinese characters. The
titles of the 10 books are Hua Mulan, Lady White Snake, The Cow Herder and the Weaver Girl, A Golden Millet Dream, Chang’e Flying to the Moon, The Old Man under
the Moon, The Butterfly Lovers, Nie Xiaoqian, Chen Shimei, and Beauty from
the Painting.
The book Chen Shimei tells the story of Chen
Shimei and Qin Xianglian. In the story, Chen Shimei got first place in the
imperial examination, and for the sake of wealth and high status, he abandoned
his parents, wife and children and married the princess. His first wife Qin Xianglian
came to the capital with their children looking for him. He refused to
acknowledge them and even planned to kill them. Eventually, Bao Zheng, the
governor of the City of Kaifeng, sentenced Chen Shimei to death penalty.
Ms. Chen Xianchun is a professor at Beijing Language
and Culture University who has engaged in the teaching of Chinese as a foreign
language since 1975, equipped with rich Chinese teaching experience. Professor
Chen has made profound research into the teaching of Chinese reading and has
published, in addition to more than 20 academic papers, many monographs and
textbooks such as Teaching Reading and
Psychology, Typical Characters and
Events in Chinese Culture, A Primer
on Modern Chinese Reading, An
Intensive Chinese Course, and Read
This Way.