Tian Fengshuo (left) poses with the TV host Huo "Caterpillar" Xiaolei during a recording of the CCTV show Hand in Hand in Zhangjiagang on Nov 13. Huo and Tian performed a recital of the poem Fried Egg with Tomato during the show. [Photo/zjgxw.com]

Children in Zhangjiagang excitedly flocked to the Cultural Center Theater in Fenghuang town on Nov 13 to watch the recording of a special episode of Hand in Hand, a popular kids' TV broadcast by China's national network CCTV.

Fronted by famous children's TV hosts Ju Ping, Geng "Green Bubble" Chenchen and Huo "Caterpillar" Xiaolei, the program follows the format of hit shows like China's Got Talent, giving local children the chance to live their dream by performing before a panel of expert judges.

The biggest cheer of the show was for a recital of the poem Fried Egg with Tomato by Huo Xiaolei and Tian Fengshuo, a pupil from a local primary school.

The simple but cute words, along with Tian's passionate recitation, transported the audience to the familiar scene described in the poem, as if their mothers were right there cooking the same dish.

"Our recital was a big success, both the poem and Tian's performance," said Huo Xiaolei.

Thousands of children gather together at the Cultural Central Theater in Zhangjiagang's Fenghuang town on Nov 13 to watch the recording of a special episode of Hand in Hand. [Photo from WeChat account zjgcitynews]

Ju Ping, the famous presenter beloved as the "older sister" of children across the country, also shared her excitement to shoot in Zhangjiagang.

"The port city is full of energy, as are the children here and their colorful works. We hope we will have more chances to come here in the future," she said.

The fun continued after the recording too, as a team of CCTV presenters took on a local youth soccer team in a friendly match later that afternoon.