臺灣文學虛擬博物館

How Does Your Home Tell Stories? » Taking a Walk with Picture Books » Opening Time Capsules

Our hometown isn’t just the place where we live—it is also a place filled with stories waiting to be told. Thousands of years ago, different peoples were already living on this island. Later, people from many other places came and made their homes here as well.

Because of this, the stories of hometowns in Taiwan can be told in many languages, including its national languages and the languages of new residents. You may even discover that the place you call home does not tell its stories in only one language either.

Let’s explore the hidden connections between these languages and the land. You can even try telling a story in a different language or turn your memories of home into a little book of your own.

How Does Your Home Tell Stories?

The places we live in are made up of many different communities. Because of this, there are many different stories written in various languages. How many of these languages do you recognize? What languages do these picture books use?

To help friends who are deaf or hard of hearing enjoy these stories as well, there are multimedia videos that present the picture books in sign language. Use both your eyes and ears to experience these stories told through different languages and sign language!

◧ “A Sower of Children’s Literature in Eastern Taiwan—Lin Wen-pao” Manuscript (Reproduction)
Chiu Ko-jung

In this manuscript, Chiu Ko-jung introduces children’s literature scholar Lin Wen-pao, who played a key role in establishing higher education programs in children’s literature. His work helped develop the academic foundations of the field and positioned the Graduate Institute of Children’s Literature at National Taitung University as a major center for Chinese-language children’s literature studies. (Collection of the National Museum of Taiwan Literature)

Taking a Walk with Picture Books

Where will the Sword Lion appear? Where is Grandpa’s lucky stone hidden? Open a book and let’s set off on an adventure to secret places that don’t appear on any map!

These picture books are like treasure maps of our hometown. As you explore the hidden corners revealed in these authors’ stories, you may discover that the streets and old houses you thought you knew are actually full of fascinating stories.
 

◧ The Siraya Boys
Written by Lin Man-chiu Illustrated by Zhang You-Ran

Published by Children’s Publications Co. in collaboration with government agencies, this picture book depicts the natural landscapes of the Tainan region more than three centuries ago, along with the unique culture of the Siraya Indigenous people. (Courtesy of Lin Hsun-min)

◧ Sun Moon Lake
Written by Sha Yung-ling
Illustrated by Hung Yi-nan

Published by Hsiao Lu Publishing, this picture book retells a classical myth of the Thao Indigenous people while highlighting regional culture. It was selected as a recommended picture book by the Children’s Cultural Center under the Taiwan Ministry of Culture and included in the Hsiao Lu Cultural Series. 

Opening Time Capsules

Some stories are hidden inside old buildings, while others live within Indigenous communities. These books help record cultural treasures that might otherwise be forgotten.

Let’s open these time capsules! Inside, you’ll find all sorts of sights, smells, and flavors of everyday life across Taiwan, such as the sweet taste of rice cakes or the herbal scent of a traditional medicine shop. You can also watch Grandpa Huang Tu-Shui creating sculptures, or listen to legends about the clouded leopard, the black bear, and the flying fish.

◧ The Magical Traditional Chinese Pharmacy: Caring for Your Health All Year Round
Written and illustrated by Tân Tshian-iông
Reviewed by Nóo-lah

Published by Azure Books, this bilingual Taigi–Mandarin picture book draws on the author’s memories of growing up in a family-run herbal medicine shop. Through rich sensory imagery and the rhythms of the Taigi language, it reflects both the author’s longing for her mother and everyday life in Taiwan. The book was shortlisted for the 49th Golden Tripod Awards in the Children and Juvenile Books Category and the 2025 Taiwan Literature Award.

◧ The Lonely Genius: Huang Tu-Shui
Written and Illustrated by Huang Yu-chin

Published by Locus Publishing Co., this biographical picture book introduces Huang Tu-shui, a pioneer of modern Taiwanese art. Through distinctive and vivid illustrations and text, the book revisits overlooked moments in Taiwan history and captures the atmosphere of a changing era.