Born in August 1939 in Shanghai, Zhang started to write children’s songs and poetry in 1958. He was editor of the journal Children’s Times (Ertong Shidai 儿童时代), before moving back to Shanghai to be deputy editor, then editor, of Shanghai Youth News (Shanghai shaonian baoshe 上海少年报社), and editor-in-chief of the Children’s Paper (Tonghua bao 童话报).
