As an introduction to the role of children's literature in the People's Republic of China, the author provides an overview of the content and themes of Chinese children's literature. The role of amateur writers is discussed and popular works of Chinese children's literature are summarized. The author also contrasts content and objectives of children's literature in China and the United States. Chinese teaching style, which emphasizes political education, publicizes models for emulation and fosters the ideology of collectivism. The American teaching style publicizes creativity, individual worth and gain, and fosters the ideology of capitalism. Eight stories for Chinese children are identified and summarized. All stress the children's contribution to protecting collective property and fighting against imperialism. The books are very inexpensive and are therefore accessible to the working class. In local communities, individual storytellers often become well known for helping to instill proper political and moral values. Books and storytellers both illustrate a basic belief, stemming from Mao's ideas, that influencing and shaping attitudes is by far the most important task of teachers and schools. (Author/AV)