A Word On Taiwanese Children's And Young Adult Literature

As seen on Asia In The Heart, World On The Mind, Critic Interview: Irene Ying-Yu Chen. An excerpt:

How would you define Taiwanese children's literature and young adult literature?

It is not easy to answer this question. I can only say what Taiwanese children used to read was mostly translated works from English and Japanese texts as we are a minority culture/market. But we are making more home-made publications as we are more and more aware of stories around us. Many authors and illustrators are creating exciting works for children in and out of Taiwan to know more about Taiwan, from picture books, fictions, to dramas, animations, and films. If I dare to define Taiwanese children's and YA literature, I would say it is at present a creative process to explore Taiwan, and to define ourselves.

That is so beautiful!

What are the current trends in children's and young adult publishing in Taiwan?

Recent popular genres would include various ways creators try to show the world and Taiwan via abridged biographical works. PBs about ecological concerns are quite popular as well.

For younger children, we encourage them to read good picture books. However, in the most recent decade, parents and teachers notice older children still prefer picture books to fictions as there are fewer words and less trouble to read. Therefore, publishers adapt western chapter books for children to upgrade to the next reading level. There will be a great many pictures, and with different reading levels, there will be a couple more hundreds of words per book. We in Taiwan call them bridging books -- a bridge for children to step from PB to fiction. These publications aim to encourage older children to read more literally than visually.