“鸟的天堂” – What schoolbooks are used in Chinese schools?
When you learn Chinese online, your online Chinese teacher may not only guide you through vocabulary and grammar but also introduce you to the materials millions of Chinese students grow up with. Among the most iconic of these are the 读本 (dúběn)—schoolboys or readers—used in primary education. These are not textbooks in the strictest sense, but curated collections of stories, essays, poems, and moral tales that aim to teach both language and values. A particularly famous piece found in these readers is “鸟的天堂” (Niǎo de Tiāntáng), or “Bird’s Paradise.”
“鸟的天堂,” written by Ba Jin in 1933, is a lyrical essay describing a visit to a sprawling banyan tree filled with birds, located in Guangdong province. Over the years, it became a staple of elementary schoolboys across China due to its vivid description and underlying themes of nature, harmony, and reflection. Its inclusion reflects the broader goals of the Chinese educational system: to not only teach reading comprehension but to instill cultural appreciation and emotional sensitivity.
Throughout the decades, 读本 have evolved, but many iconic texts remain constant. Students across the country, whether in a major city or a rural village, will likely encounter the same passages—from excerpts of Lu Xun’s sharp prose to simple folk tales, from Tang poetry to modern short stories. These schoolboys are structured progressively from Grade 1 through Grade 6, increasing in complexity but always retaining a balance of moral guidance and literary exposure.
Many of these readings are so common that they become cultural touchstones. Titles like “小英雄雨来” (Little Hero Yu Lai), “半夜鸡叫” (The Midnight Rooster Crow), and “狐假虎威” (The Fox Borrows the Tiger’s Power) are etched into collective memory. Through repetition, recitation, and classroom analysis, these texts shape a child’s early relationship with both the Chinese language and the world of ideas.
Some language programs like GoEast Mandarin, too, may discuss these texts when designing lessons for younger learners or heritage speakers. Rather than relying solely on textbook drills, they incorporate short, recognizable pieces like to help students engage more naturally with the language and its cultural backdrop.
The continued use of these schoolboys in China’s education system shows how deeply literature is woven into early learning. More than just tools for literacy, Chinese schoolbooks introduce values such as resilience, kindness, respect for nature, and national pride. They are a quiet but powerful force in shaping generations—not only teaching children how to read, but how to think and feel within a shared cultural framework.