Year-ender: Books on COVID-19 that offered relief to young readers

Superman in White

Author: Mei Zhu

Press: 21st Century Publishing Group

"There's no Superman -- only ordinary men who stand up against the odds," reads the back cover of the picture book Superman in White.

As the COVID-19 pandemic took China by surprise, countless medical workers used their flesh and blood to build a safe shelter for the Chinese people. Not knowing what was ahead and even unsure whether they would return, the medical workers, who are also ordinary men and women just like the rest of us, marched head with bravery and love for the people and the country.

Superman in White tells the story of a young boy who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 and is receiving treatment in an isolated ward in a hospital. During his treatment, the boy's attitude toward his physician drastically changed, and the doctor also shared a small secret with his young patient. As the boy was cured and discharged from the hospital, the youngster, who took Superman as his idol and hero, comes to understand what makes a real superman.

Inspired by the heroic acts of doctor Zhang Dingyu, head of Jinyintan Hospital in Wuhan, who played a critical role in pointing out the etiology direction for China's anti-epidemic fight and bought time for the treatment of the disease and the development of vaccines. Zhang was diagnosed in 2018 with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), which have caused his legs to progressively lose muscle strength. Nevertheless, his own physical condition did not slow him down in his fight against COVID-19. Put in his own words, "I must run faster, if I want to win the race against time." 

"Doctors are Supermen in white armor. I hope you will grow up to be a Superman in white and protect every bouncing life," said doctor Tao Yong, director of the ophthalmology department of Beijing Chaoyang Hospital.