In Search of Paper cover

In Search of Paper

Rating 3.0
Word count
103 words
Chapters
13
ISBN
9787558346088

Tags

Summary

This is a picture book about the intangible cultural heritage of Guangdong Province: traditional papermaking. Sihui's traditional papermaking is known as a living fossil of Chinese traditional papermaking. Centered on this craft, the book tells the story of Mr. Zhang, an overseas Chinese, who returns to his hometown in search of paper. As a young man, Mr. Zhang left his hometown and went to Southeast Asia to make a living. Years later, he returns with his family to find the "Hui paper" of his hometown. With his efforts and those of local villagers, Sihui Hui paper reaches overseas markets and thrives. Through this heartwarming story, the book presents the craft and development of traditional papermaking, letting readers appreciate the wisdom of the ancients and discover the charm of this ancient craft.

Editor's review

This is a picture book about the provincial-level intangible cultural heritage of Guangdong, "ancient papermaking." It does not present intangible cultural heritage knowledge as stiff expository text; instead, through the story of Mr. Zhang, an overseas Chinese, returning to his hometown in search of "Hui paper," it naturally connects the craft lineage, local sentiments, and current state of inheritance of Sihui ancient papermaking. Following Mr. Zhang's family on their journey home, readers can see details of the papermaking process and feel the nostalgia of generations connected to a single sheet of paper. The book's presentation of "living fossil" ancient papermaking balances knowledge and narrative warmth, suitable for parent-child reading and as an introductory读物 for local culture and intangible cultural heritage-themed reading. When reading, try separating the story line from the craft line: first follow the characters through the emotional journey, then revisit the papermaking steps to understand how Hui paper traveled from the countryside overseas. For editors, the value of such subject matter lies in bringing intangible cultural heritage from exhibition boards into stories, allowing readers to remember a craft as the plot unfolds.

Who it's for

A good fit for

  • General readers interested in intangible cultural heritage and traditional crafts
  • Parents and teachers who want to introduce children to ancient papermaking
  • Readers interested in Lingnan local culture and rural memory
  • Reading promoters needing picture book materials on intangible cultural heritage themes

Not a good fit for

  • Professional researchers expecting a systematic technical manual on papermaking
  • Readers who prefer pure-text long-form documentary or academic works

Reading tips

  1. Read the story through first, then revisit the papermaking steps in the book to clarify the production process of Hui paper.
  2. During parent-child reading, let children ask: why does a sheet of paper need to be "sought"?
  3. Combine with background information on Sihui ancient papermaking to expand understanding of the meaning of "living fossil."
  4. After reading, try using a sheet of paper to document an old craft from your hometown as an extension exercise.

About the publisher

New Century Publishing House China · Founded in 1985

New Century Publishing House focuses on children's publishing while also offering literary titles for a broader readership. Its catalog covers exam preparation, foreign literature, literary appreciation, classical poetry and quality fiction, with the "Guided Reading of Classics by Great Authors" series at its core. The series includes Chinese and foreign works such as Camel Xiangzi, Jane Eyre, Journey to the West, The Scholars and The Insects, alongside edition-based titles like a documentary photo collector's edition of Three Days to See. Its author resources include Lao She, Zhu Ziqing, Wu Cheng'en, Goethe, Charlotte Brontë, Henri Fabre and translator Yang Wuneng. As public information is limited, this profile summarizes its publishing directions and features based only on the titles in our catalog.

Contents

  1. 版权信息
  2. 正文一
  3. 正文二
  4. 正文三
  5. 正文四
  6. 正文五
  7. 正文六
  8. 正文七
  9. 正文八
  10. 正文九
  11. 正文十
  12. 古法造纸简介
  13. 编委会

FAQ

Is this book a storybook or a knowledge book?
Both. It uses the warm story of Mr. Zhang returning home to seek paper as the main thread, embedding the craft and development history of Sihui ancient papermaking within the plot; it is a picture book combining story and knowledge.
What age is this book suitable for?
The book is mainly picture-based narrative with a moderate amount of text, suitable for primary school children reading with parents or teachers; younger children can focus on looking at pictures and listening to the story, while older children can pay attention to papermaking craft and intangible cultural heritage content.
What is "Hui paper"?
Hui paper refers to the product of Sihui ancient papermaking. Sihui ancient papermaking is known as a living fossil of Chinese ancient papermaking; the book revolves around this local intangible cultural heritage skill, telling the story of the production and inheritance of Hui paper.
What papermaking knowledge can be learned from this book?
Readers can learn about the craft stages and development history of Sihui ancient papermaking through the story and feel the wisdom of the ancients. The book focuses on presenting the overall appearance and inheritance significance of the craft rather than a detailed technical operations manual.

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About the author

The Sihui Cultural Center is a public cultural institution in Sihui, Guangdong Province. Its main functions include organizing mass cultural activities, providing cultural and artistic guidance, and compiling local cultural materials. The center participated in the compilation of the book A Search for Paper, a work in the social sciences category that explores papermaking and paper culture, reflecting an interest in traditional crafts and local cultural resources. Due to limited public information, the center's founding date, staffing structure, and complete list of publications remain unclear, and only one work by it is currently confirmed. Judging from the subject of A Search for Paper, its editorial focus leans toward cultural popularization and the organization of local knowledge, making it suitable for readers interested in traditional papermaking techniques and regional culture.

非遗梦 Author

Feiyimeng is a Chinese author known for works in the social sciences. Public information about this author is limited, and details such as nationality, dates of birth and death, and real name have not been clearly recorded. Two works are currently included in the database: Searching for Paper (Xun Zhi Ji) and A Heart of Devotion: The Biography of Tan San (Quan Quan Zhi Xin: Tan San Zhuan). Judging from the titles and categories, the former appears to explore paper and the craftsmanship and memory behind it, while the latter has a biographical character and focuses on a person's resolve and actions. Both works fall under the social sciences, indicating the author's interest in traditional crafts, personal destiny, and social and cultural issues. Given the limited available information, it is difficult to outline the author's full creative trajectory, but based on the existing works, Feiyimeng tends to approach writing through specific subjects, moving between documentary observation and humanistic concern. The works may appeal to readers interested in intangible cultural heritage and related social topics.

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