“Lao Ke Ben” Compiled and published by Jiuzhou Press in 2011, this collection features selected elementary textbooks originally edited by renowned educators such as Ye Shengtao, Feng Zikai, and Shen Baiying during the Republican era. Through concise, child – centric language and relatable narratives – such as “Willow Branches Grow Long” and “A Kitten’s Fishing Adventure” – the series imparts lessons on nature appreciation, life skills, and moral integrity, rooted in a child – centered, nature – aligned educational philosophy.

Originally compiled by private publishers, the texts reject feudal hierarchies, emphasizing reason, equality, and empathy for life. Recognized as “a model of modern Chinese enlightenment education,” the collection has sparked renewed interest in historical pedagogy.

The publication project ignited a wave of “Republican – era textbook nostalgia” and received dedicated coverage by mainstream media outlets including People’s Daily and Southern Weekly, who praised its “return to the essence of education.” When Nanjing teacher Ma Yixiang introduced the materials into public welfare classes, student engagement noticeably improved – demonstrating the continuing relevance of these texts in contemporary teaching practices. Long ranked among bestselling educational books, the collection has been adopted by multiple innovative educational institutions as supplementary reading for language and moral education.

The Honest Child: An excerpt from the series’ concluding chapter, performed by the celebrated Chinese voice artist Qiao Zhen. At age 74, Qiao Zhen’s rich, velvety timbre and masterful command of phrasing infuse the text with profound emotional depth and historical warmth, reaffirming the enduring power of classical literature through vocal artistry.