This book surveys the essential elements of both the written and the oral traditions that have contributed to the literary background of China's children. Chapter topics include (1) Chinese literature and its transmission from early times; (2) myths, legends, and symbolism; (3) traditional education and the classics; (4) storytellers, puppets, and theatres; (5) folk epics of the fifteenth century and their influence; (6) popular novels and story collections of a later period; (7) the development of a modern colloquial literature for children in the twentieth century; and (8) folklore, nursery rhymes, riddles, and proverbs. A bibliography and index are included. (RL)