The Chinese community does not provide Hong Kong children with suitable literature, says a communications expert.
Professor Timothy Yu, the founder of the Communication Department at the Baptist University of Hong Kong and the former head of the Department of Communication at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, has actively promoted children's literature for several years.
He says most children in the territory are busy reading reference books and do not have the time to appreciate literature.
'Children are always reading knowledge books. They learn about mathematics, computer science and astrology but they seldom read literature from which they can learn the art of words and human wit and affection.' The renowned professor says that the Chinese community has failed to provide youngsters with children's literature, forcing them to read translated material.
'Children in Europe and America have a lot to read, but not in Hong Kong or even China or Taiwan,' he says.
Professor Yu says the lack of Chinese children's books in the market has pushed parents to buy translated books which are of varying standards.
'There are a lot of mistakes in translated reading material. Many publishers reprint old material without giving any consideration to its quality.' While children do not know how to select good reading material, their parents are not much better.