A children’s comic book that debuted at the Shanghai Book Fair has ignited hot debate in China because parents fear its depiction of animals mating may have a negative influence on their children.
‘The Last War Elephant’, an adaptation of the book of the same name by Chinese children’s literature author Shen Shixi, tells the story of a dying elephant that travels across mountains and rivers with its saddle in order to reach a tomb where its dead companions were buried.
While some people said they believed those who were worried about the content in the book were making a fuss, some parents and teachers have voiced a different opinion.
“I’m a mother and I have read this book myself,” one wrote online. “We just don’t want our children to learn about sex so early.”
