Taiwanese Picture Books Debut at Japan's Children's Book Fair, Lin Lien-En's Signing Session Fully Booked
Taiwanese picture books made their debut at Japan's "Ueno Forest Children's Book Fair," with Taiwan becoming the first overseas non-profit cultural organization to participate, thanks to the Ministry of Culture's Taiwan Cultural Center in Japan. Over 40 original picture books were exhibited, attracting Japanese families through readings, signing sessions, and interactive experiences.
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Central News Agency
(Central News Agency reporter Dai Ya-chen, Tokyo, 4th) The "Ueno Forest Children's Book Fair," the most anticipated reading event for families during Japan's Golden Week, welcomed Taiwanese picture books for the first time this year. Driven by the Ministry of Culture's Taiwan Cultural Center in Japan, Taiwan became the first foreign non-profit cultural organization to participate since the event began in 2000. Over 40 original picture books were exhibited, accompanied by readings, signing sessions, and interactive experiences, attracting the attention of Japanese families.
The Taiwan Cultural Center stated that this exhibition area was curated by veteran picture book translator Lin Chen-mei, presenting three main themes: "Published in Japan," "Taiwanese Local Culture," and "Selection of Classic Picture Books." Taiwanese picture book artist Lin Lien-En was invited to interact in person and designed the main visual with the concept of "Whale Island," incorporating elements such as Taipei 101, bubble tea, and the Formosan black bear, becoming a highlight of the exhibition.
The planned activities, such as making exclusive postcards with stamps and a lottery, were very popular. Many Japanese visitors also actively inquired about purchasing information for the picture books, showing high interest and attention to Taiwanese original works.
Lin Lien-En said in an interview that it was "very rare and an honor" to participate in an event in Japan for the first time and to meet local readers directly. She admitted, "It's already difficult to be published in Japan, and to be able to interact face-to-face like this is a precious experience."
Her signing sessions were also fully booked quickly, with both morning and afternoon slots today filling up. Readers were free to request drawings on the spot, with themes full of childlike fun and challenges. Some children asked for "a penguin sitting on a rocket," while others requested dinosaur themes, making her laugh and say, "Because I rarely draw rockets or penguins, I was once so nervous that I had to look at pictures for reference," but she also found such impromptu creations very interesting.
Speaking about her creative style, Lin Lien-En pointed out that her works are mainly collages, combining diverse materials such as paper, fabric, felt, and even photography, hoping to provide children with a different way of viewing art than traditional painting.
She revealed that the most time-consuming part of a picture book is the initial conceptualization and storyboard discussion. "Story development and repeated communication with editors take the most time," while the actual drawing only takes about one to two months. The text part is deliberately kept concise, "hoping to tell stories through images," allowing readers to feel the situation themselves.
Her exhibited work "HOME" has been translated into multiple languages, including English, Spanish, Japanese, and Korean. She stated that the original intention of her creation was to convey the warm feeling of "returning home." "Whether going to work, school, or traveling every day, the sense of security when finally returning to the starting point is what I want to express."
The stage event at this book fair invited renowned singer Yo Hitoto as a reading guest, who is also the Japanese translator of "HOME."
This was Yo Hitoto's first time participating in picture book translation. She shared that during the translation process, she encountered a large number of Chinese onomatopoeia, which differ from Japanese expressions, leading to many new discoveries. During the event, she conversed with Lin Lien-En on stage and led the audience into the story world through reading, creating a lively atmosphere.
Minister of Culture Li Yuan stated that picture books, with their characteristic of "more pictures and less text," are one of the cultural contents with the greatest potential for international dissemination. Since taking office, he has successively promoted measures such as "Awards for New Picture Book and Illustrated Book Creators," "Picture Book and Illustrated Book Schools," and "Awards for Picture Book and Illustrated Book Creation and Publishing Marketing." The first "Golden Picture Book Award" ceremony was also held recently, symbolizing 2026 officially entering the "Year of Taiwanese Picture Books." The exhibited works also include many award-winning pieces, showcasing the strength of Taiwanese picture book creation.
Representative Li Yi-yang in Japan pointed out that the debut participation of Taiwanese picture books in Japan's representative parent-child reading event is highly significant. He hopes that through picture books, a cultural medium that transcends language and generations, cross-strait civilian exchanges and emotional connections can be further deepened, and that Japanese society can see Taiwan's soft power, which is free, open, diverse, inclusive, and full of creativity.
Tseng Chien-lung, Director of the Taiwan Cultural Center, emphasized that through actual participation in large book fairs, not only is the visibility of Taiwanese picture books enhanced, but Japanese publishers also have the opportunity to directly engage with the works, opening up more possibilities for future copyright cooperation. (Editor: Tang Sheng-yang) 1150504
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(Central News Agency reporter Dai Ya-chen, Tokyo, 4th) The "Ueno Forest Children's Book Fair," the most anticipated reading event for families during Japan's Golden Week, welcomed Taiwanese picture books for the first time this year. Driven by the Ministry of Culture's Taiwan Cultural Center in Japan, Taiwan became the first foreign non-profit cultural organization to participate since the event began in 2000. Over 40 original picture books were exhibited, accompanied by readings, signing sessions, and interactive experiences, attracting the attention of Japanese families.
The Taiwan Cultural Center stated that this exhibition area was curated by veteran picture book translator Lin Chen-mei, presenting three main themes: "Published in Japan," "Taiwanese Local Culture," and "Selection of Classic Picture Books." Taiwanese picture book artist Lin Lien-En was invited to interact in person and designed the main visual with the concept of "Whale Island," incorporating elements such as Taipei 101, bubble tea, and the Formosan black bear, becoming a highlight of the exhibition.
The planned activities, such as making exclusive postcards with stamps and a lottery, were very popular. Many Japanese visitors also actively inquired about purchasing information for the picture books, showing high interest and attention to Taiwanese original works.
Lin Lien-En said in an interview that it was "very rare and an honor" to participate in an event in Japan for the first time and to meet local readers directly. She admitted, "It's already difficult to be published in Japan, and to be able to interact face-to-face like this is a precious experience."
Her signing sessions were also fully booked quickly, with both morning and afternoon slots today filling up. Readers were free to request drawings on the spot, with themes full of childlike fun and challenges. Some children asked for "a penguin sitting on a rocket," while others requested dinosaur themes, making her laugh and say, "Because I rarely draw rockets or penguins, I was once so nervous that I had to look at pictures for reference," but she also found such impromptu creations very interesting.
Speaking about her creative style, Lin Lien-En pointed out that her works are mainly collages, combining diverse materials such as paper, fabric, felt, and even photography, hoping to provide children with a different way of viewing art than traditional painting.
She revealed that the most time-consuming part of a picture book is the initial conceptualization and storyboard discussion. "Story development and repeated communication with editors take the most time," while the actual drawing only takes about one to two months. The text part is deliberately kept concise, "hoping to tell stories through images," allowing readers to feel the situation themselves.
Her exhibited work "HOME" has been translated into multiple languages, including English, Spanish, Japanese, and Korean. She stated that the original intention of her creation was to convey the warm feeling of "returning home." "Whether going to work, school, or traveling every day, the sense of security when finally returning to the starting point is what I want to express."
The stage event at this book fair invited renowned singer Yo Hitoto as a reading guest, who is also the Japanese translator of "HOME."
This was Yo Hitoto's first time participating in picture book translation. She shared that during the translation process, she encountered a large number of Chinese onomatopoeia, which differ from Japanese expressions, leading to many new discoveries. During the event, she conversed with Lin Lien-En on stage and led the audience into the story world through reading, creating a lively atmosphere.
Minister of Culture Li Yuan stated that picture books, with their characteristic of "more pictures and less text," are one of the cultural contents with the greatest potential for international dissemination. Since taking office, he has successively promoted measures such as "Awards for New Picture Book and Illustrated Book Creators," "Picture Book and Illustrated Book Schools," and "Awards for Picture Book and Illustrated Book Creation and Publishing Marketing." The first "Golden Picture Book Award" ceremony was also held recently, symbolizing 2026 officially entering the "Year of Taiwanese Picture Books." The exhibited works also include many award-winning pieces, showcasing the strength of Taiwanese picture book creation.
Representative Li Yi-yang in Japan pointed out that the debut participation of Taiwanese picture books in Japan's representative parent-child reading event is highly significant. He hopes that through picture books, a cultural medium that transcends language and generations, cross-strait civilian exchanges and emotional connections can be further deepened, and that Japanese society can see Taiwan's soft power, which is free, open, diverse, inclusive, and full of creativity.
Tseng Chien-lung, Director of the Taiwan Cultural Center, emphasized that through actual participation in large book fairs, not only is the visibility of Taiwanese picture books enhanced, but Japanese publishers also have the opportunity to directly engage with the works, opening up more possibilities for future copyright cooperation. (Editor: Tang Sheng-yang) 1150504
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship you provide is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the Central News Agency's "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
The text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, publicly transmitted, or utilized without authorization.