Nurturing Future Eco-Citizens

Fengjing An has heard that as a researcher, the most important thing is to find your gold mine—and she believes she’s found hers in children’s literature. Most recently, she’s developed an interest in ecological themes in children’s literature, as she believes these stories play a crucial role in raising environmental awareness and nurturing future eco-citizens.

Imagine you’re talking to a five-year-old. How would you describe your work to them in a few sentences?

I’d say that I work with books that tell fun stories for kids like you. You can meet funny characters, go on exciting trips and dream of wonderful things. I also help bring stories here from other countries by translating them into your language.

When and how did you know you wanted to study children’s literature and environmental issues?

I began studying children’s literature in 2019 as a first-year master’s student, which was driven by a personal experience. At that time, my rebellious younger brother’s conflicts with our parents coincided with my reading of Doris Lessing’s The Children of Violence. Her portrayal of teenage defiance sparked my curiosity and led me to literary theory for a deeper understanding.

To my surprise, the insights I gained helped bring peace between my parents and brother. I then wrote my findings into a paper, hoping they might offer helpful ideas to others as well. Unexpectedly, some readers shared that they found it resonated with them and was helpful. As a first-year master’s student, I felt truly encouraged, and for the first time, I realized that research wasn’t just an abstract pursuit but something that could address real-world challenges.

This experience has shaped my path in children’s literature research, and as new questions have emerged, my focus has expanded. One area that particularly caught my attention is the significant imbalance in the translation field: While countless English children’s books have been translated into Chinese, far fewer Chinese children's books have been translated into English. This realization motivated me to add a translational perspective to my research, with the goal of fostering exchange and mutual learning and to make enriching books accessible to children in different countries.

What’s a discovery you’ve made in your research that would surprise people?

I am not confident enough to say that my discoveries would surprise others, but two findings certainly surprised me. These surprises made me realize how inspiring children’s literature is and how powerful it can be as a force for social change. First, I discovered the largely positive role of teenage rebelliousness, which is an important, and to some extent, necessary way to build a sense of self-identity. Second, I found that in 1920s China, there was a sudden surge in discussions about children’s books among nearly all Chinese intellectuals, who saw them as a key to reshaping national character and saving the nation.

What brought you to studying at Augustana?

The main reason I chose to study at Augustana is my supervisor, professor Roxanne Harde. She has given several lectures at my university, Ocean University of China in Qingdao (Yes! the home of Qingdao beer, which you can even find in a liquor store in Camrose!), both online and in person, and I was fortunate to attend almost all of them. Her vast knowledge, boundless energy and strong work ethic left a lasting impression on me. Before applying, I had heard many stories about Alberta’s chilly weather, but none of it mattered because of the chance to work with such a respected scholar. And to my surprise, I’ve grown to love the cold, especially the beautiful snow—it’s truly the cherry on top!

Where did you grow up and what’s distinct to you about your hometown?

I grew up in a typical northern city in Shandong, China—the birthplace of Confucius. One distinct feature of my province is its deep-rooted tradition of hospitality. As Confucius once said, “It is such a delight to have friends coming from afar,” and we, his fellow provincials, have made this welcoming spirit a part of our very nature. If you ever have the chance to visit China, I wholeheartedly recommend experiencing the warmth of my province!

What accomplishment in your life or work are you most proud of?

Receiving the scholarship and studying at Augustana is something I’m most proud of. During the application process, I was facing a particularly tough time—one I had never experienced before. But despite the challenges, I refused to give up and kept moving forward. To me, the scholarship is much more than just an award; it feels like a reward for my faith in life and resilience through difficult times.

What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?

The meaning of life lies in connecting with others, taking responsibility and bringing kindness to those you love—from my Chinese supervisor, professor Derong Xu.

What’s the last TV show or podcast series you binged?

Desperate Housewives—my go-to show for every solo lunch or dinner.

What’s a book or film you would tell someone to read or watch to get to know you better?

Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse. This book explores topics that largely shape my worldview and way of life, such as the unity of nature, spirituality, self-discovery, salvation and karma. In a way, it reflects a part of my name, Fengjing—where “Feng” means wind, and “jing” means peace. While the “wind” side of me might be more noticeable, there’s also a calm, peaceful side that I hope you’ll see too!

Who’s someone living or dead that you wish you could take for a coffee? And what would you talk to them about?

I would love to have coffee with Lu Xun, one of the most influential Chinese intellectuals of the 20th century, often regarded as the soul of the Chinese nation. I’d like to have a conversation with him about his life story, his vision for China and the significant changes that have taken place in the country since his time.

If you had to eat the same meal every day for a week, what would it be?

Beef and wine—sounds divine! Actually, a week is way too short. Can I stretch it to a whole month? Or maybe a whole year, but only if my roommate, Craig Peterson, joins me. As a foodie and chef, he knows a thousand ways to enjoy beef and wine!

Learn more about Fengjing

Fengjing An is a visiting PhD student at Augustana, supported by the China Scholarship Council, under the supervision of Roxanne Harde. She is currently in her third year of the PhD program at Ocean University of China, focusing on children’s literature and its translation. Fengjing has published five academic papers and one translated picture book. She is also working on a monograph, co-authored with her Chinese supervisor, Derong Xu, titled Translation and Transmission of Chinese Children’s Literature. The monograph is supported by Foreign Language Teaching and Research Press, one of China’s leading academic publishers.