Awards honor China's top children's books

The 2025 China Literature Festival opened on Wednesday in Changsha, Central China's Hunan province. It also kicked off the Hunan Literature Week, themed "Reading in the New Era, Building Dreams for a New Journey". The event is organized by the China Writers Association, Hunan Publishing Group, Central South Publishing & Media Group, and the Social Liaison Department of the China Writers Association.

During the Literature Week, a book fair is being held at the Hunan International Convention and Exhibition Center. The event also features the release and forum of the Second China Online Literature Brand List. A High-Quality Development Symposium on New Era Children's Literature gathers industry experts to explore future directions in the field of children's literature, while The Long Novel Creation Symposium aims to inject fresh energy into literary creation. Furthermore, heads of children's publishing houses, children's authors, editors, and writers from Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan will visit Qingxi Village in Yiyang, Hunan province, to seek creative inspiration from local culture and deepen, literature's roots in real experiences.

On the evening of November 20, the "2025 Children's Literature Awards Night," hosted by the China Writers Association and the Hunan Provincial Government, was held in Changsha. At the event, 19 award-winning authors took the stage to receive their trophies to the sound of string music. They shared their creative inspirations and personal journeys with the audience and young readers, collectively showcasing the vibrant and enduring landscape of Chinese children's literature.

The National Outstanding Children's Literature Award, hosted by the China Writers Association, is a national literary honor and the highest recognition for children's literature in China. Established in 1986, it has been awarded 12 times. This year's selection chose 18 winning works (one co-authored) from 725 submissions.

At the ceremony, award-winning author Zhao Lihong said that writing for children is about heartfelt conversations and making friends with young readers, "seeking light in the world together. Good children's literature can nourish the soul and provide warmth".

Another award-winning author, Cai Chongda, said his work is a gift to his daughter. "Perhaps in an increasingly fast-paced era, it's even more important to introduce her to the world in a loving way before saying goodbye to childhood, and then hand her over to the world." He hopes that this gift can reach more children and warm all who still carry a childlike heart.