Kaohsiung Public Library's Good Bud Award "Bang!" published, debuts before World Book Day

April 23 is World Book Day. "Bang!", the picture book that won the 3rd "Good Bud Award" from the Kaohsiung Public Library, was recently published. The main library invited the author, Rui-Rui, to share her creative journey with readers of all ages, using the story and a hands-on crafting activity to guide children in recognizing their emotions and themselves. Lee Chin-yang, the director of the Kaohsiung Public Library, stated that the "Good Bud Picture Book Creation Talent Fostering Project" has been continuously cultivating local creative energy for seven years. Seeing works go from being shortlisted to published showcases the diverse development of Taiwanese picture books in themes, narratives, and formats, injecting new momentum into the picture book industry. In a press release today, the library stated that "Bang!" uses delicate brushstrokes to depict the emotional shifts of a little hedgehog after accidentally popping a balloon. Through the recurring imagery of a heartbeat, it portrays the character's journey from anxiety to facing a mistake, conveying the positive value of "bravely admitting and facing errors." The work seamlessly integrates plot development with visual expression, earning the judges' favor and standing out. Rui-Rui shared that her creative inspiration originated from minor yet profound emotional experiences in everyday life. She hopes that through the interactions between animal characters, children can learn to express their emotions, understand others, and build a truthful attitude toward themselves during the reading process. To extend the reading experience, the library recently held a sharing event that attracted many families. In addition to guided reading, the event featured a "Mood Buddy" crafting activity, guiding children to explore different emotions through art, thereby enhancing parent-child interaction and emotional bonding. The library noted that "Bang!" has also been selected for the recommended book list in May. Starting May 5, it will be exhibited at the main library, several branches including Daliao, Qishan, Zuoxin, Xiaogang, Gangshan, Linyuan, and Meinong, as well as the smart library, inviting the public to step into the library and experience the charm of picture book reading.