The Little Prince is a famous book, but it has never been in my bucket list because of my education background. During school, we have a long list of Chinese story books and novels to read that I have never thought of reading The Little Prince.
One day, my friend lends me the book. Maybe it is time for me to read the book?
小 = little, small
王子 = prince
书名:《小王子》
作者:Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
译:艾柯
图:曾铭祥
This is a bilingual book. I read the Chinese language section while referring to the English language section once in a while. After reading the book, the impression I have on The Little Prince is only one word: sad.
The Little Prince, whom we do not know his age, has his own views on the universe. He seems pessimistic at times, but he is optimistic at other times. I believe people at different ages read with different perspectives and gets different conclusions. As a mum-to-be, I think about my child’s future while thinking about the philosophy that I would teach my child in future.
I like the words from a three-petals flower the most:
“They have no roots, and that makes their life very difficult.”
他们没有根,活得很辛苦。
Literally, the flower is happy that she has roots that help her not to be blown away by the wind. On the other hand, we can think of roots as our traditions and cultures that define us. I start thinking about what types of “roots” to give to my child.
Have you read The Little Prince? If no, please have a thought at reading it, at least once. If yes, please consider to read it the second time or the third time or the n time. The simple story is sure to give you some surprises even you have read it before.
For children, I would recommend this book to be read as a story book to learn new vocabulary and learn two languages at the same time. For the philosophy part, we leave it to the adults.
Happy reading!
I enjoyed reading this story again. It was ‘unexpected’. I had forgotten the story completely!
I am glad you enjoy reading the story again. I will read to my baby one day 🙂
Hello Wendy. I think I have read The Little Prince, but I’m not really sure. In my mind, I associate it with learning French so I presume it was a French reader in high school. In that year, I also wrote to a French penpal who didn’t write English. It was a good way to learn the language, but I’ve forgotten it now, of course. 😀 Anyway, I must give it another look.
Yes, please give it another look. I find the book special because I have never thought of associating “sad” to a prince.
My friend has actually done reading the French version because of her love for The Little Prince.
I just ordered it from my local lending library catalogue online – an English translation. 🙂