We are thrilled to spotlight Liu Hsu-Kung, a distinguished picture book author from Taipei and a recent nominee for the prestigious Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award (ALMA) 2025. This nomination is a testimony to Liu’s exceptional contributions to children’s literature, and this serves as an opportunity to delve into his background, creative process, and vision for children’s literature.

Liu expresses a mix of surprise and honour at being nominated for such a prestigious award. This recognition serves as a milestone in Liu’s career, reflecting his dedication and passion for creating engaging stories for young readers. His journey into the world of picture books began in Taipei, Taiwan, where he initially pursued a career in civil engineering. However, his passion for storytelling and illustration soon took over, leading him to bravely become a full-time picture book author. His engineering background plays a significant role in his unique approach to crafting narratives and illustrations, bringing a refreshing perspective to his work.

Themes of compassion, acceptance, and personal fulfilment are central to Liu’s stories. He often starts with personal thoughts and feelings, creating storylines that reflect his experiences and observations. For instance, his book Flyaway Ticket was inspired by seemingly unrelated elements like an old man, tickets, a blanket, and birds. Liu followed his intuition, and upon reflection, he realised the story mirrored the classic Journey to the West, symbolising a quest for self-fulfilment and achievement. Similarly, his book Rain explores the concept of change and self-expression through a little monk who can only write the one and only Chinese character of “rain”. Storytelling is an art of imagination and images. The same object can look entirely different under paint brushes because every process of creation is unique. Authors create art from formless concepts, with books serving as a bridge between authors and readers, each bringing their own experiences to interpret the story. “I didn’t fully realise this until I went back and re-read my stories,” says Liu.

Rain (雨) & Flyaway Ticket, what inspire you this time?

Inspiration for Liu often comes from his personal life and the stories of those around him. A recent idea for a new book was sparked by his family’s experiences with baseball, leading to the creation of a storyline involving three pigs and a knowledgeable mouse. (I will not reveal the storyline because you’ll have to read it yourself when it’s published in the near future!) These real-life connections infuse his stories with authenticity and relatability, making them resonate with readers.

Balancing text and illustrations is a crucial aspect of Liu’s work. He typically starts with a well-planned storyline, allowing the illustrations to evolve naturally as the narrative progresses. This harmonious integration ensures a captivating and immersive reading experience for young audiences. Despite the rise of digital design, Liu remains dedicated to hand-drawn illustrations, valuing the simplicity and directness of traditional methods. He believes that hand-drawn art retains a unique charm that digital designs sometimes lack.

While Liu’s stories are not overtly infused with Taiwanese culture, they often reflect the essence of his imagination and creativity. Still, in The Orange Horse, a collaboration with the Kaohsiung City Government, readers can glimpse the scenic beauty of Kaohsiung, the second biggest city in Taiwan. He believes in creating freely without consciously incorporating specific cultural elements, allowing the stories to take on a life of their own.

Having his books translated into other languages has expanded Liu’s reach, allowing him to connect with a global audience. While he doesn’t involve himself in the translation process, he trusts the expertise of professionals to preserve the essence of his stories. This trust has enabled his works to transcend cultural boundaries and resonate with readers worldwide.

For future picture book authors in Taiwan, Liu advises experimenting with various topics and creative methods. He encourages participation in various exhibitions to showcase their work and connect with a broader audience. Reflecting on the evolution of the picture book industry in Taiwan, he notes a conservative mindset that often undervalues illustrations. He hopes for a shift in perception, recognising the powerful role of images in storytelling.

Next steps, Liu is focused on creating new titles while revising and publishing some of his unpublished works. With three new titles on the horizon, he continues to enrich the literary landscape, inspiring young readers to explore the world with curiosity and empathy. We can’t wait to see his future projects and the continued contributions he will make to the world of children’s literature.

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Liu, Hsu-Kung. Personal interview with the author. 18 July 2024.

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Eleanor Duggan is a passionate children’s book reader, a storytelling enchantress, an aspiring globetrotter, a part-time book crafter, and an impassioned foodie who is a cooking disaster. She is more known as an international school teacher-librarian and the International Association of School Librarianship (IASL) Regional Director for East Asia. She is a Taiwanese with a Belgian soul and is currently enjoying her life as a citizen of the world with her daughter and their 2 one-of-a kind cats. You may find her via The Third Culture Librarian 

GLLI Disclaimer: Opinions expressed in posts on this site are the individual author’s and are not indicative of the views of Global Literature in Libraries Initiative.