Picture Books and Me 1. Introduction and Reading Guide to Picture Books by Lin Xiao-Bei • “Dadaocheng Zoo”: The author based the illustrations on real-life scenes from Dadaocheng, so the settings in the book can actually be found in corners of Dadaocheng. Due to the area's concentration of dried goods shops, many stores keep cats as “shop managers,” which inspired the inclusion of cat characters in the story. • “Pretending to Be a Fish”: This book has been published in several versions. The author specifically mentioned how depictions of the rice field waves evolved. In the earliest version, the wind blowing through the rice was only described in text, but later she realized it wasn’t expressive enough, so she used illustrations to better interpret that imagery. • “Practicing Goodbye”: A deeply personal story based on the author’s real-life experience. It tells of a dog leaving home and passing away. The author used the spine of the book as part of the illustration and incorporated wordless scenes to evoke readers’ emotions, making the story more touching. • “All Asleep for 100 Years”: This picture book uses poetic language and continuous, rhythmic changes in pacing to enhance its appeal. The content also carries a whimsical tone that adds charm to the story. 2. Sharing Experience in Picture Book Creation • The author spoke about why she started creating picture books and shared insights and reflections gained during the creative process. 3. Story Performances and Extended Activities • The author shared her experiences visiting various countries and how her works have been recognized internationally. She also mentioned an upcoming picture book she is about to release.

Implemented by Department of Early Childhood Education
Date: 2025/04/15