#TaiwanKidLitMonth: A Wrap-up of Taiwanese Literature Month

Posted on by Eleanor Duggan

As we draw the curtains on #TaiwanKidLitMonth, let’s take a moment to bask in the glow of the incredible journey we’ve shared! This celebration has truly showcased the power of stories, culture, and creativity, whisking us away to the enchanting world of Taiwanese literature.

First and foremost, a ginormous 謝謝 (THANK YOU) to everyone who joined in this month-long adventure! From the international school librarians and book reviewers who worked tirelessly to feed me with resources unknown to me, to the talented authors and illustrators who shared their magical works and inspirational insights, and to the enthusiastic readers who rode along with us – you all made #TaiwanKidLitMonth an absolute triumph!

#TaiwanKidLitMonth Recaps:

This journey has been an eye-opener for me. I discovered how much there is to learn about Taiwanese literature, echoing Grace Lin’s sentiment: “I started to write books about my culture and heritage because I know nothing about it. I want to learn about it!” Curating the #TaiwanKidLitMonth has been an immensely rewarding experience, expanding my horizons and diving deep into Taiwanese books, and there is still SO MUCH I need to learn!

Throughout this month, we’ve delved into charming stories and kaleidoscope illustrations that celebrate and represent Taiwanese culture and identity. Taiwan is truly a treasure island, a cultural gem still hidden on the world literature map. Many fantastic books are yet to be discovered for the world to enjoy. Kathy Cheng, the author of Hey Taipei, felt compelled to write a book because she couldn’t find any engaging picture books about Taipei to share with friends overseas. 

Lucky for us, many books written in Chinese are awaiting translation, ready to shine brightly in the vast literary sky. Taiwan Panorama (2023) pointed out that the statistics from the National Central Library show that over 50,000 books were published in Taiwan during 2022, with 70% by local authors! The National Museum of Taiwan Literature (NMTL) actively promotes the translation and international distribution of Taiwanese children’s books. By partnering with foreign publishers and setting up editorial committees to select and translate works, NMTL is helping Taiwanese children’s literature gain global visibility (The Taiwan Gazette, 2022).

Before we bid farewell to #TaiwanKidLitMonth, if you haven’t had enough, be sure to dive into these additional resources for even more delightful discoveries in Taiwanese literature:

Story of Beitou (“Beitou” means “a witch” in the aboriginal language) in Beitou Park, where Taiwan’s first green library, Beitou Library, is located.

Let’s remember the incredible stories and cultural heritage we’ve explored together. Embrace diverse voices and cherish Taiwan’s rich literary tapestry. Whether you’re revisiting a beloved classic or discovering a new favorite, the world of Taiwanese literature offers endless wonders to explore. Thank you for joining us on this magical journey. Happy reading, and may the stories you’ve discovered this month continue to inspire and delight you!

I Know My Taichi. Rabbit Nini, a new illustrated character, joins readers in the brand new Eslite bookstore in Taipei (Huang).

BIBLIOGRAPHY:

Hey Taipei：第一本屬於台北的英文押韻繪本 | Kathy Cheng,妙蒜工作室 | 9789869648998. https://www.cosmosbooks.com.hk/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=986964899. Accessed 28 July 2024.

Huang, Benrei. I Know My Taichi. Eslite bookstore. 2023. Taipei.

Taiwan Panorama. ‘Translating Taiwan: Meetings with Literary Translators – Stories’. New Southbound Policy, https://nspp.mofa.gov.tw/nsppe/nspp.mofa.gov.tw/nsppe/print.php?post=244856&unit=410. Accessed 25 Aug. 2024.

The Taiwan Gazette. ‘The Future of Taiwan Literature: An Interview with Shuo-Bin Su (Part 2)’. The Taiwan Gazette, 3 Feb. 2022, https://www.taiwangazette.org/news/2022/02/05/the-future-of-taiwan-literature-an-interview-with-shuo-bin-su.

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 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.

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