Children’s Novel on War Theme “The Boy and His Cat General” Showcases Ordinary People’s Perseverance and Resistance

The children’s novel “The Boy and His Cat General” with an anti-war theme was recently launched at the Shanghai International Children’s Book Fair. Set in Guilin, known as the “Cultural City” during the war period, the story follows a young boy named A Jin who, accompanied by the “Cat General,” gradually grows into a writer and revolutionary, showcasing ordinary people’s perseverance and resistance amidst hardship.

It was noted that this work breaks away from the single growth model common in children’s war-themed novels, as the protagonist’s development results from multiple driving factors. The narrative employs a dual structure with clear and subtle, primary and secondary lines: the clear, main line depicts the boy A Jin’s life experiences and spiritual transformation, while the subtle, secondary line follows the fate changes and image transformation of the little yellow cat “General.” Their growth trajectories mirror each other, with the Cat General serving as a projection and metaphor for A Jin. This narrative strategy provides a successful template for growth expression in new-era children’s fiction.

The work’s multiple contrasts were described as deeply moving – the stark difference between the vibrant daily life in Guilin and the later destruction of the homeland highlights war’s devastating impact, emphasizing the contrast between beauty and brutality. The protagonist A Jin’s journey from being speechless to taking up the pen, growing alongside the Cat General, demonstrates life’s astonishing resilience in desperate situations, representing a transformation from fragility to strength. The boy raising a torch on the cover symbolizes not military force but cultural power – how knowledge can illuminate a child’s inner world and pass this spiritual torch through writing.

The work focuses on youth development, portraying the war from a child’s perspective and skillfully using imagery to construct the narrative. The “Cat General” in the text is not just a character but symbolizes courage, companionship, and hope. Settings like the bookstore, cave, and newspaper office serve as places for spreading knowledge and信念, collectively giving the work profound emotional warmth and artistic tension.

It was expressed that this book aims to plant three seeds in children’s hearts: the seed of “cherishing” – valuing the peaceful life they currently enjoy; the seed of “reading” – believing in the power of knowledge and reading; and the seed of “courage” – growing into better versions of themselves.