Xue Tao, author of September Is Frozen, another book in the series, says he could tell that the American translator, Kyle David Anderson, did a good job. "He sent me long lists of questions concerning my text to consult me for advice, and we discussed a lot back and forth," Xue says.

Another translator is Jerimiah Willhite, a graduate of Chinese language from the University of Washington in 2009. The 32-year-old translated three of the eight titles.

"It is important to introduce young people to traditional values from many different cultures, so that they can have a more informed worldview, and gain a better understanding of one of the world's most influential cultures," he says in an email interview.

The series' translators like Bies, Anderson and Willhite, in a sense, are just like the Chinese boy who finally crosses the border to meet his Russian friend and the puppy they both loved in September Is Frozen.

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