During my short trip back to Taiwan in July, I had the pleasure of sitting down with Joyce Sun, a celebrated Taiwanese author whose enchanting picture books have captured the hearts of young readers and their families. With a unique blend of cultural storytelling and captivating illustrations, Sun’s works resonate deeply with local children while also holding universal appeal. In anticipation of our full interview, here’s a sneak peek into Sun’s world, based on our interview questions.

Sun was born in Taipei and earned her M.F.A. from National Taiwan Normal University. Even as a student, she stood out by winning numerous awards in art competitions, hinting at her future brilliance. After graduation, she jumped into graphic design and even designed stamps for the Taiwan Chunghwa Post.

In 1998, Joyce started exploring her creative side alongside her day job. This creative journey led to her first major achievement in 2008 with the Hsin-Yi Children’s Literature Award. Recognition soon followed, both regionally and internationally, including Taiwan’s Golden Tripod Award and the prestigious Bologna Ragazzi Award in 2015. This marked a historic first for a Taiwanese illustrator in the award’s 50-year history!

Joyce’s books are a proof to the power of images. She uses them to convey deep emotions and universal messages. Her themes often revolve around connection, memory, and shared history. For example, her book One Afternoon uses walls, doors, and windows as metaphors for isolation and opportunities to connect.

Joyce’s creative process is as varied as her ideas. Some books take years to develop, while others come together in months. She often keeps an “idea bank” for future inspiration, and sometimes ideas come from her dreams and daily life. Her book, Day Trip, imagines zoo animals riding the Taipei MRT, a delightful idea that sprung from one of her vivid dreams.

Her characters resonate with readers because they come from her own experiences and those around her. The book, Silhouette, even touched visiting teachers from South Korea, showcasing the universal appeal of her stories.

Public speaking might not be Joyce’s favourite thing, but she braves events to promote her stunning work. She’s also faced political challenges, with some of her books banned in China. Despite this, she persevered and won the prestigious Bologna Ragazzi Award.

Joyce Sun is realistic about the challenges facing Taiwan’s publishing industry due to a lack of reading culture, the fast-reaching information, and various distractions we all face nowadays. However, she encourages aspiring authors to follow their passion and enjoy the creative process.

Joyce has travelled to over 40 countries, including Antarctica, and lived in Montreal, Vancouver, and Shanghai, exploring the unknown and gaining new perspectives. A master of watercolour and computer graphics, she now enjoys a fulfilling life in Taiwan, continuing to inspire and connect with readers through her beautiful stories and illustrations. Currently, Joyce is focusing on her family, valuing quality over quantity in her work. Though she’s taking a break, her passion for creating enchanting picture books remains undiminished. 

Joyce Sun’s journey is a shining beacon for anyone passionate about art and storytelling. Keep dreaming, keep creating, and let Joyce’s magical world inspire you! 

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Sun, Joyce. Personal interview. 7 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 

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