Novatek promotes reading in Hualien; a promise postponed half a year; inviting an author on a school visit to share her picture book creations
12 Jan. 2022
The Novatek Education Foundation has long sponsored the Hualien SinSiang Inter Community Association in implementing reading programs for Hualien area rural schools. Last year, it guided the students in reading the locally-focused picture book, Our Home, at Jiali Elementary School in Hsincheng Township. The original plan was to invite the illustrator Yi-Chen Chung for a “Writers Visiting Schools” activity. The plan was finally realized after a six-month delay due to the pandemic, allowing the students to meet with the writer at long last.
Our Home is originally a shared-reading picture book for parents and kids, created by Shao-Ying Chu, a pediatrician at Hualien Tzu Chi Hospital. Originally, the illustrator was invited to meet with the students at the end of the semester. However, classes were suspended due to the severe pandemic situation in May. The promise was finally realized after half a year.
The book’s Illustrator, Yi-Chen Chung, said that the text of the picture book begins with an introduction to the native species of Hualien, and then gradually explores the beautiful and magnificent natural landscapes, touring the architectural landscapes with humanistic connotations that outline a beautiful impression of Hualien. The illustrations for this book took three years to complete, and each image was repeatedly conceptualized and revised to reveal observations and feelings about Hualien. In the interaction with the students, it was found that many of the famous local attractions in the book were almost never visited by the students. She encouraged the students to take a trip to the scenic spots mentioned in the book so that they’ll have a deeper understanding of their hometown. Through picture books, students in Hualien can better understand the environment they live in.
Photo: A promise delayed for half a year! Picture book illustrator Yi-Chen Chung finally meets students from Jiali Elementary School. (Photographed by: reporter Zong-Zhang Xie)
Source: http://www.ksnews.com.tw/index.php/news/contents_page/0001562843