By Kelly Zhang

When we think of our favorite girl protagonists from world children’s literature (classic children’s books), I bet a few names come up, like Anne of Green Gables, Madeline, and Pippi Longstockings. Free-spirited, resourceful, and (just a tad) mischievous, these heroines have managed to captivate the hearts and imaginations of generations of readers. At least part of their appeal stems from the way the characters’ personalities and actions challenge and defy the prevailing social norms–in which girls are generally expected to be quiet, demure, obedient, and “ladylike”.

In contemporary Asian children’s literature, we find many heroines who are just as fun, lively, feisty, and defiant. I would like to introduce you to some of them today:

First up is Jin Ling from China. Meet Ling, the chubby, bubbly sixth grader who can easily charm her way into anyone’s heart. A gregarious social butterfly, she is also astute, kind, and generous–always eager and willing to lend a helping hand to someone in need. The only issue is…her grades at school are nothing remarkable. And in a hyper-competitive, mark-obsessed educational system, that is a big flaw.

Ling is actually a very bright, capable, and well-read student, but she keeps losing marks on her tests due to sloppiness and a tendency to make careless mistakes. When her demanding teachers and over-worried mom are all hyper-focused on her school grades, and her best effort is still considered “not good enough”, it’s hard not to feel discouraged and dejected. But Ling won’t accept defeat, at least not without putting up a good fight. Determined to use whatever’s available at her disposal, Ling dreams up various creative, if unconventional strategies to score higher on her tests. Will she triumph in the battle of wit against the monster of schoolwork, or will she sink into the sea of mediocrity?

By turns hilarious, outrageous, defiant, and bittersweet, this novel paints a candid, refreshing portrayal of a spirited middle grader’s life in 1990’s urban China. Deftly and thoughtfully translated into English by acclaimed translator Nicky Harman, Ling’s voice comes through strong and clear. This book is a delightful read.

Next, we hop over to Vietnam. In this multi-award-winning middle-grade graphic novel translated from Vietnamese, we meet Chang, a little girl with a big dream. After Chang stumbles upon a bear being tortured at a bile farm, she sets her heart on becoming a wildlife conservationist so she can help save animals from human captivity and maltreatment. She chases her dream with single-minded determination, overcoming many setbacks and disappointments along the way, until she finally succeeds in becoming a volunteer at Free the Bears organization. When Chang is tasked with caring for a rescued baby sun bear named Sorya, the two forges a beautiful friendship and Chang helps Sorya reintegrate into its natural habitat.

Infused with intriguing scientific facts and meticulous, dynamic renderings of the local flora and fauna, this lushly illustrated graphic novel invites readers to explore the vibrant beauty and biodiversity of the rain forest of Vietnam. With her winsome optimism, determination, and resourcefulness, Chang stands as a feisty heroine who will inspire and empower more girls to pursue their dreams.

Chang’s character and this touching story are actually based on the real life experiences of the author herself. Trang is a wildlife conservationist who dedicates her life to rescuing and rehabilitating endangered animals (especially bears), restoring damaged ecosystems in Southeast Asia and Africa, and educating children and the public about the importance of environmental protection and conservation.

The Adventures of Na Willa is one of the few Indonesian children’s books that has been translated into English. The work’s appeal is due in no small part to the voice-driven stories told from the perspective of the lovable titular character. An inquisitive and strong-minded six-year-old girl living in the suburbs of Surabaya, Na Willa’s vivacious personality, rich imagination, and boundless curiosity, combined with a touch of mischief and defiance, combine to make her an endearing protagonist.

The first book of this chapter book/early middle-grade series has been previously reviewed on our blog (see Claire’s post). In this second book, sequel to The Adventures of Na Willa, you can expect more of the same zany hilarity as Na Willa continues her day-to-day (mis)adventures and hijinks as she navigates the ups and downs of friendship, kindergarten life, and moving to a different city. Highlight: she gets to sing on national public radio! Warning: You might be rolling on the floor laughing at some point.

The author does an excellent job bringing to life the lively character of Na Willa, and the two translators did a commendable job rendering/re-creating that fun voice in English.

Translated children’s books from Asia, especially those centering strong girl protagonists, are still few and far between. Each of these three young spunky heroines mined from contemporary Asian children’s literature possesses a unique set of endearing qualities that make them memorable, and their stories universally relatable and inspiring. I hope these characters will find a special place in your heart and imagination, and continue to charm and delight more young readers across the globe, in whatever language(s) they make that encounter.

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