The Dreams and Realities of Picture Books

The Dreams and Realities of Picture Books as the core reading theme, shares the creative journey and insights through the self-analysis of picture book author Jimmy Liao. This involves learning how to open one's eyes and heart to explore sources of inspiration, and how to reflect on one's own works to discover and become a better self. The reading program includes themed book exhibitions, themed activities, themed lectures, and courses.

Jimmy Liao Themed Book Exhibition

The Jimmy Liao themed book exhibition is located at the entrance of the library on the first floor. The exhibition features the **Jimmy Calendar 2023** and poster wraps on the pillars, creating a striking effect. The exhibition showcases the atmosphere of Jimmy Liao's stories and displays his works. The exhibition runs from the beginning of the school term in September 2023 to the end of the term in January 2024. Alongside the exhibition, the themed activity "Write Jimmy • Draw Jimmy" allows students to express their connection with Jimmy Liao or his works.

Themed Activity: Write Jimmy • Draw Jimmy

After reading Jimmy Liao's works at the themed book exhibition, students and teachers can participate in the "Write Jimmy • Draw Jimmy" activity. They will write about their thoughts and feelings regarding Jimmy Liao or his works, including related products or films, on an activity form. Participants can join themed activities organized by the library. The first 28 participants will receive Jimmy Liao's "The Dreams and Realities of Picture Books", and also get vouchers and a chance to win prizes.

Themed Lectures 1: Jimmy's World of Imagination Lecture

Professor Tu Ming Cheng(杜明城), the former director of the Children's Literature Research Institute at National Taitung University, is invited to kick off the "Read Jimmy" program on September 13 with a lecture titled "Jimmy's World of Imagination." Professor Du will bring a box full of Jimmy Liao's picture books, using an overhead projector and a relaxed and nostalgic atmosphere to lead the audience through Jimmy Liao's stories.

Themed Lectures 2: Does Dream Invite You to Play Hide and Seek? Jimmy Tells Me, Dreams Hide in _____ Lecture

The final lecture of the reading program will be held on November 15, with Professor Zhu Xinyi (朱心怡)from the General Education Center. She will conduct a mid-term review of the "Read Jimmy" program, asking, "What is your dream? Have you achieved it? Tried for it? Or given up?" The lecture, titled "Does Dream Invite You to Play Hide and Seek?", will guide students and teachers through Jimmy Liao's creative process and insights. Combining the author's life story with the content of his picture books, Professor Zhu will help the audience understand the changes in the author's works at different stages and resonate with the stories.

Course Collaboration

In addition to the library activities, this reading program also collaborates with the general education course "Humanities Writing." The library will assist with guiding the Jimmy Liao exhibition, while Professor Zhu Xinyi will bring students from the Humanities Writing class to the library during the exhibition period. The course will focus on Jimmy Liao, with students creating postcards under Professor Zhu's guidance. This will help students gain a deeper understanding of Jimmy Liao while also providing an opportunity to express their own ideas.

Sitopia

In early 2023, the library launched the "Sitopia Reading Program*", inviting readers to explore food-centric themes by reading each chapter and participating in themed activities.

This book, awarded the 2022 Openbook Good Book Award, covers many important food-related issues. However, the topics in the book can be challenging to grasp. To address this, the librarians designed engaging, diverse, and interactive activities to make the reading experience more accessible and to enhance understanding of food and the environment.

Themed Activities

The Sitopia Reading Club hosted three themed activities and three themed lectures. Each event combined concise guides by librarians with interactive activities, enriching the reading program. The activities included:
Board Game Journey into Sitopia: Through the "Calorie Buster" board game, players learned about food and calories, corresponding to the book’s chapter on the body.
Library Space Design Workshop: Participants designed space models, exploring the relationship between food and space.
Things Every Kaohsiung Resident Should Know : A group competition where participants answered questions about Kaohsiung, integrating the local revitalization exhibition area to highlight the connection between food and the city as discussed in the book.

Themed Lectures

Themed lectures connected the expertise of university professors with the book’s chapters, providing participants with deeper professional knowledge. Examples include:
Taiwan’s Wild Vegetables: Professor Jiang Min Hui (江敏慧)brought wild vegetables and photos for identification, sharing her experience in growing and promoting wild vegetables and discussing their benefits in the food ecosystem.
A Taste of Roast Duck: Professor Lin Zhi Xin(林致信) used various roast duck videos to explain cooking techniques and the cultural significance of specific ingredients, exploring the development of culinary traditions.
Humans, Be Quiet and Listen to the Food: Professor Su Heng-An (蘇恒安)used hand-drawn diagrams to explain the structure of **Sitopia**, offering a comprehensive review of the book and helping participants understand its core concepts after completing all the activities.

Social Media Reading Activities Program

The library has launched the **Sitopia Reading Program**, combining online and physical resources to enhance the reading experience. This semester, in conjunction with the Sitopia reading plan, we will be recommending books related to Sitopia’s chapters. Weekly updates will be posted on our Facebook and Instagram pages starting from March, aligning with the progress of our physical activities. Here's the schedule:

Weeks 1-6
The first major theme is "The Relationship Between Diet and the Body," based on Chapter 2 of Sitopia. We explore topics such as:
- "Why Didn't People Get Fat Before?"
- "Why Is Everyone Trying Not to Get Fat Now?"
- "Raw Food: Myths and Facts"
- "From Labor to Sedentary Work"
- "The Slimness of Parisian Women"
- "The Rise of Eating Disorders Among Young Influencers"
- "Good Food vs. Bad Food: Debunking Diet Culture"
- "Eating Your Feelings After a Breakup?"

These topics are explained in an accessible manner with diverse and interesting book recommendations to illustrate the evolution of the human body and the impact of binge eating and dieting culture.

 Weeks 7-11
Chapter 6 of Sitopia discusses the relationship between nature and food, aligning with the "Edible Nature" theme and our lecture on "Taiwan’s Wild Vegetables." We will recommend resources that emphasize:
- "Weeds as Edible Greens"
- "The Ingredients of Summer Herbal Teas"
- "The Impact of Seasonal Eating"
- "Flexitarianism"
- "The Invisible Importance of Microorganisms"
These topics will be supported by various types of library resources, including books and periodicals.

Weeks 12-15
Chapter 1 of Sitopia emphasizes that food shapes our bodies, habits, society, and environment, leading to the theme "You Are What You Eat." To promote the Culinary Manga section on the seventh floor and offer lighter reading as the semester ends, our recommendations from late May to the end of June will focus on culinary manga. Themes include:
- "What If You Had to Eat the Pig You Raised?"
- "Cheers! A Look at Drinking Culture"
- "The Joy of Eating Alone"
- "The Starch Battle: Taiwan vs. Japan"
Through these recommendations, we aim to introduce different dietary knowledge and cultures, echoing the themes of Chapter 1.
 

Beef Noodle Soup Reading Event

The Beef Noodle Soup themed reading event aims to highlight the joys of reading through engaging texts and experienced professors from diverse fields. Held on June 29 and 30, 2022, on the second floor of the library, the "Cool Reading Sessions" feature four events where Professors Su Heng An (蘇恒安)and Zhu Xin Yi (朱心怡)share insights on the cultural and literary significance of beef noodle soup.

To make reading more accessible and encourage staff participation, librarians have designed interactive tasks. Upon signing in, participants draw task cards, which guide their activities and use of beef noodle soup-themed handouts. This approach fosters a two-way exchange, enhancing expression and interaction.

To add fun to the sessions, the event includes a beef noodle soup trivia game, where participants complete a noodle bowl image with stickers as they answer questions. 

Professor Su Heng An explores the cultural experience of food and travel, while Professor Zhu Xin Yi discusses literary works, prompting participants to share their own food stories and experiences, enriching the discussion with the diverse flavors of beef noodle soup.