Stone Soup study club 12 / 石頭湯讀書會之十二

因為工作的關係，所以我無法出席第十一場由杜明成老師主講的「童詩與柯普」，我就直接跳到第十二場的演講：曹益欣老師的「圖像閱讀隨處在」。

Because of work, I can't make it to the eleventh lesson of the Stone Soup club given by Mr. Tu on children's poetry and sci-fi. I'll skip directly to the 12th talk hosted by Ms. Tsao on Reading Images Everywhere in Life. 

        老師一開場問了很發人深省的問題：當你看圖畫書時，先看文字還先看圖像？光讀文或圖，我們理解的故事可能會不一樣，一本圖畫書裡文字和圖像有各自要說明的訊息，有些繪本家會在圖像裡放入許多細節，不一定是文字提及的。

   Ms. Tsao starts the talk by asking a question worth thinking about: When you first read a picture book, do you start with the text or the images? In fact, by simply reading one of them will lead to different interpretations of the same story. In a picture book, text and images can tell their own stories independently. Some illustrators might tuck in many details in pictures, which might not be part of the text. 

        圖像閱讀是我們與生俱來的，其實幼兒本來都有圖像閱讀的能力，受了文字教育之後能力便削弱。

   We were born with the ability to read images. Children are capable of reading pictures, but their capability is weakened after the intensive training in word literacy at school. 

        如何用簡單圖形說故事？老師舉父親曹俊彥老師的作品小黑和大家分享，小黑是個小圓圈，他在不同場合分裂成不同形狀，其實這是一本有關於數學概念的書，而曹老師在創作時則是用剪紙的方式發想如何能夠用圓形的塊狀表達不同物體。

   How to tell a story with simple shapes? Ms. Tsao gives examples designed by her father, who is a famous Taiwanese illustrator. Black is a circle, but it transforms itself into various kinds of shapes on different occasions. In fact, this is a story on the mathematical concept of division. When Mr. Tsao was writing the book, he tried cutting black circles into parts to see what objects they can represent. 

        假如用幾何圖形說小紅帽的故事呢？老師問大家代表各個角色的圖形和顏色，挑戰視覺上不同的可能性和觀者感受。例如說：如果小紅帽媽媽和小紅帽一樣是紅色的三角形，只是體型較大，這樣能夠傳達媽媽的感覺嗎？如果把尖銳的角度修掉，並且把紅色換成紅加藍的紫色呢？這個過程對於創作非常有幫助！

   How to tell the story of  Little Red Riding Hood with geometrical shapes? The teacher asks us the shapes and colors we would like to choose for each character and setting and explore the possible visual effects. For instance, if the mother of Little Red Riding Hood is a bigger red triangle like her, does it evoke the feeling of mother? What if we soften the edges and change red to purple, which is a mixture of red and blue? I'd say this process is very helpful for illustrators. 

        接下來老師拿出一個精美的木盒，這個叫「紙芝居」的傳統來自日本。

   Next the teacher takes out an exquisite wooden box, which is called kamishibai. It is an oral story-telling tradition from Japan. 

        小販帶著裝著圖畫的木盒，在街上講故事給大家聽，對於尚未印刷成書的作品這真是個好方法，而且因為沒有文字，每個人講出來的故事都不一樣！

   The vendor carries the box filled with drawings and tells stories to people on the streets. For works not printed, this is a superb idea. Since there is no text, everyone can tell their own version of stories. 

        老師用各種童詩和童書為主題繪製圖畫，最後邀請我們上台講故事，瞧，這個小女生好勇敢啊！

   Ms. Tsao drew stories based on nursery rhymes and picture books. At the end of the lesson, she invites us to tell stories. See, this is such a brave little girl! 

Stone Soup study club 10 / 石頭湯讀書會之十

石頭湯讀書會第十場的講者是著名的童書作家兼畫家：王金選老師。老師的「紅龜粿」在台灣兒童繪本史上已經是屹立不搖的經典，書中收錄的台語創作詩謠也是學習台語很好的入門。

The tenth speaker of the Stone Soup study club is the renowned Taiwanese author and illustrator, Mr. Wang Gin-hsuen. The book Red Turtle Cake, a collection of children's poetry written in Taiwanese written by Mr. Wang, is a classic in children's literature here in Taiwan. In fact, the book is also a great way to learn basic Taiwanese. 

每一位學員進門時，老師都在門口迎接，問大家的名字，我和老師說之前去參加信誼頒獎典禮學到的東西，因為老師也在場，便和我聊到自己的經驗：老師一開始以畫圖為主，他覺得自己的文字很弱，所以刻意練習，尤其是童詩書寫，想不到進入文壇的第一份作品居然是童詩寫作，接下來老師又嘗試以台語書寫童詩，引起很大的迴響，但同時老師都沒有放棄畫畫，慢慢地終於有機會為自己的作品繪圖。這再次讓我學到，我應該要多方嘗試，不要拒絕各種可能性。

Before the speech, Mr. Wang welcomes every guest at the door, asking what our names are. I mention the lessons I  learned while attending the award ceremony of Hsin-y Children's Book Foundation in April. Since he was also there that day, he immediately shares his own life experiences with me. Mr. Wang says that he's loved drawing since childhood, but meanwhile he was aware of his weakness in writing, which inspired him to practice, especially writing children's poetry. Amazingly, his first book is actually a collection of children's poetry. Then, it occurred to him to write children's poems in Taiwanese, and his works received rave reviews. However, he never gave up drawing, and as time went by, he finally had opportunities to write and illustrate his own works. The talk teaches me that I should try different media whether words or images instead of excluding any possibility. 

王老師一面分享自己的創作經驗，一面教授寫作和插畫的基本技巧，是很激勵人心的一場演講。以下我將重點分成勵志和實用兩大類。

During the talk, Mr. Wang focuses on his career as a writer and illustrator and teaches us basic skills of writing and drawing. I have to say that this is certainly an extremely inspirational talk. I am going to divide the key points of his talk into two main categories: 

勵志類：
一、不斷寫、不斷畫，我就是純粹喜歡。想到什麼寫什麼，小筆記本裡寫滿了文字。
二、學會縮短難過的時間，要檢討失敗的作品，下次再努力，越挫越勇！
三、要讓人感動就要很投入，除了畫面外也要投入心思。
四、把握機會：老師說到曾經為了參加比賽，四天畫兩本繪本！
五、人只要受到鼓勵就會有繼續的力量！
六、求進步方法之一：研究別人的作品。

Inspirational:
1. Never stop writing and drawing. I do it simply because I love it. I fill my journal with words because I write down whatever comes to mind.
2. Don't brood over my failures for too long. I go over my works to see how I can do better, and I'll work harder next time.
3. If we want to move people, we have to be involved. It's important for the viewer/reader to feel our sincerity.
4. Seize opportunities: I once created two picture books within four days!
5. As long as we are encouraged, we can go on and on and on!
6. One of the best tips in making progress is researching others' works.

實用類：
一、練習寫童詩：寫作技巧─找出兩件不同的東西之間共通的特性，寫完試唸。不論是用哪種語言書寫，可以先排出韻腳字。童詩可以和童謠、兒歌、打油詩結合，要兼顧淺白、親切、活潑、生動、自然。每次老師收到寫一首童詩的邀約，總會先寫很多首練習。
二、趣味性：兒童文學的文字不能太白，要有趣味性。
三、兒歌是童話的大綱：把兒歌進一步發揮成有主角、情境、對話的故事，背後隱藏教育話題就是童話。但童話和繪本的寫法是一樣的，都必須有起承轉合。
四、繪本可以帶入生活的場景和內容、人的心態和情感加上童話的想像。
五、在圖像的表達上，文字提到的及文字沒有提到的都可以放進去，並且畫附近相關的場景。
六、世界上所有的圖像都可以用幾何圖形表達。
七、兒童圖畫書的圖像不一定要講究技法高超，因為圖像是以說明性的功能為主，帶著畫者手繪的拙趣和個性。
八、畫圖講究的是美感和耐心，技巧不好可以用耐心打動別人，該寫實的時候寫實，該放鬆時放鬆。

Practical:
1. Try writing children's poetry: First, look for what's in common between two objects which appear to be different. Read a poem aloud after finishing it. Whichever language we write in, it helps to look for the rhyming words. We can derive ideas for children's poems from children's folk rhymes, children songs, nursery rhymes, and doggerels. It's essential to make sure if our writing is easily understandable, approachable, lively and natural. Whenever I am invited to write a poem, I'll write several as part of the exercise.
2. Fun: The key spirit of children's literature is its fun.
3. Children's songs are the outline of children's tales. Develop the songs into stories with main characters, settings, dialogs and educational value. Yet, the skills of writing tales and picture books are the same--there has to be a beginning, rising action, climax and resolution.
4. We can insert life experiences and add imagined plots in the creation of picture books.
5. When it comes to images, they can tell stories whether mentioned or not mentioned in the text. Also, we can draw the settings.
6. All the shapes and forms in the world can be broken down into basic geometric forms.
7. The images in picture books do not have to be especially sophisticated in terms of skills. In fact, the pictures are explanatory, and they should come with the idiosyncratic qualities of the illustrator.
8. Drawing is about its aesthetic value and the patience of the artist. If we are not good, our patience can move the viewer as well. When it's time to draw realistically, we should go for it. Nonetheless, we should also know when and how to relax.

老師不吝和大家分享自己作畫的過程，在底稿之前都是無盡的打草稿和練習，其實在老師積極樂觀的演講背後是很謹慎、充滿耐力的創作精神！

Mr. Wang doesn't hesitate to show his originals. Before the final draft, there are always endless trials and errors. I can feel behind his sunny optimism lies a super self-demanding and persevering soul. 

聽完演講之後我和老師說，老師人生故事的前半段就是我的經歷，老師鼓勵我一直畫下去，我因此得到很多能量！

After the talk, I tell Mr. Wang that I am experiencing the first half of his story, which is full of frustrations and failures. He encourages to keep drawing, which really gives me loads of positive energy!

Art walk in the park / 公園裡的剪紙散步

我用很疏離的態度使用臉書，就像許多沒有臉書的用戶，我們有機會接觸到臉書是因為家裡的平板剛好是用家人的帳戶登入，我因為這樣的巧合，發現駐青年公園太陽圖書館的汗得學社，這週末舉辦了一場叫做「公園裡的剪紙散步」，包括生態導覽和剪紙的工作坊。

I use FB with aloofness, and like many people who don't have an FB account, our access to it is actually through our family, who stays logged in when we happen to use the computer. Because of such a coincidence, I accidentally found a workshop held by HAND Organization stationed in Solar LEO House in the Youth Park in Taipei. The participants will first be taken on a walk tour to learn  about the trees in the park, which will inspire us to create with paper cutting techniques. 

        我一度把青年公園誤認為二二八紀念公園，最好只好跳上計程車，就在這個過程中我才發現，原來我從來沒去過青年公園，幸好計程車司機非常有耐心地幫我做城市導覽。

   I mistake the Youth Park for 228 Memorial Park, so in the end I have no choice but to hop on a taxi. It is then that I realize I've never been to the Youth Park. Luckily, the patient taxi driver offers quite a comprehensible introduction of the part of the city. 

        這座太陽能圖書館很酷，一樓是無人圖書館，二樓則是汗得學社推廣太陽能的展示館，走進去有種國外的味道，而且館內因為特別的設計，沒有開冷氣就很涼爽，窗邊還有非常美麗的黃花相伴。讀了展示館的小冊子之後，我非常喜歡其中的一段話：

八分二十秒，

超過一億五千萬公里的旅程，

光子從太陽表面到達我們的星球，

太陽能不僅無所不在，

也是我們最直覺的能源。

        太陽光電是優雅的電力，為了推廣太陽能教育，汗得學社有許多課程和種子志工培訓。

   The Solar Leo House is a very cool building, the first floor used as a library where people check out books all by themselves. The second floor is the exhibition space of HAND Organization to promote solar energy. When I push open the door, I immediately smell the scent that I did whenever traveling abroad. Thanks to the energy-saving design, it is very comfy and quiet inside without any need of air-conditioning. Next to the double-layered windows are lovely yellow flowers. I am impressed by a quote from the pamphlet: 

   With eight minutes and twenty seconds, 

   on a journey longer than 150 million kilometers, 

photons reach the earth from the surface of the sun. 

Solar energy is not only everywhere, 

it is also our most instinctive energy. 

   Solar optoelectronic energy is elegant in that it does not harm the environment. HAND Organization offers many workshops and courses to better people's understanding of the topic. 

        至於我們的生態導覽，先由生態老師為我們講解幾種樹木和果實，原來很多樹葉揉爛之後都有濃郁的香味，這是植物自我保護的方式，我很難得有機會用嗅覺認識樹木。

   Before we set out for the tour, our ecology teacher introduces some trees, their leaves and flowers. It does not occur to me that many leaves give off smells after we tear them into pieces, which is actually their form of self-protection. It's wonderful to employ more than the eye to learn. 

之後老師又提到榕果小蜂的生命週期，因為這個主題實在太有趣了，要寫繪本也不為過，大自然真是處處充滿智慧啊！

   One of the most interesting lessons of the day is about the life cycle of the fig wasp. It is so amazing that I think I should write a picture book on it. I can't help exclaiming: Nature is so full of wisdom! 

        接下來的實地散步裡，剪紙老師古國萱請我們邊走邊拓印各種不同的樹皮，大家都很投入。

   During the walk, our art teacher Joanne Ku invites us to do tree bark rubbings because every tree has its own pattern. Everyone is engaged in the task. 

        榕樹有很多氣根。

   Banyan trees have many aerial roots. 

        而且榕樹的根會不斷延伸，看起來很像是另一棵樹，所以被叫做「會走路的樹」。

   Here is a quote from the Wikipedia: 

   The seeds of banyans germinate and send down roots toward the ground, which may envelop part of the host tree or building structure, giving banyans the casual name of "strangler fig." 

        這個夏天和楓香很有緣份，去武陵農場也聽到類似的講解，楓香和槭是不同類的，而楓香的特色就在於把葉子揉開後會有香氣。

   This summer I have heard the story on the differences between maple trees and sweet gum trees twice, previously on the trip to Wuling Farm. Something special about sweet gum is its fragrance after the leaf is torn and rubbed. 

        一定要靠水而生的穗花棋盤腳，所以果實很像一艘船，據說快開花了，綻放的時候很像放煙火。

   Small-leaved Barringtonia has to live by the water as its fruit is dispersed by ocean currents; thus the fruit is shaped like a boat. The blossoming season is July and August, and flowers in bloom look just like fireworks. 

        紫薇。

   Common Crepe Myrtle. 

        扶桑花，又稱朱槿，俗稱大紅花，多生於中國南方。

   Hibiscus, originally grown in the south of China. It is the national flower of Malaysia. 

        回到室內後就由老師介紹剪紙的基本原則。

   After the tour, Ms. Ku introduces the basic principles of paper cutting. 

         我們把剛才在戶外拓印的白報紙剪成三塊。

   We cut the paper on which we did tree rubbings into three pieces. 

         長條的拿來做連成一串的設計。

   The long strip is used for the design of a connected pattern. 

        方形的則做窗花。

   The square-shaped ones are used for designs of window decor. 

        最後老師請我們回想散步之旅中得到的靈感，各種感官的刺激都可以，我想到了穗花旗盤腳開花的畫面。

   In the end we are asked to come up with a design inspired by anything we see or smell on the walk tour. Though I've never seen blossoming barringtonia, I can imagine it in my mind with the teacher's vivid explanation.

        成果總驗收。

   A snapshot of everyone's works. 

        晚上去凱道參加了我人生中第一次的群眾運動─送洪仲丘最後一程，雖然我很怕人多的地方，但是當下並沒有不舒服的感覺，反而很慶幸自己有去。

   In the evening, I decide to go to my first ever protest against the military's rough handling of Hung Chung-chiu's death. Though I've always feared the crowds, I am glad that I make it there.

        有趣的是，再怎麼嚴肅的場合都會有賣冰淇淋的小販！

   Interestingly, whatever the occasion is, there are always ice cream vendors wherever crowds gather. 

        這讓我想到最近念溫格爾的繪本「月亮人」給男孩聽時，楷維不懂為什麼冰淇淋小販也跟著往有事故的地方跑，真是人生如繪本，繪本如人生啊！

   This reminds me of my reading Tomi Ungerer's Moon Man to the boys. Kai didn't understand why the ice cream man also rushes to the accident site. Well, don't picture books reflect the real life and vice versa! 

Travel with imagination / 想像力的旅行

今天在準備明天的專題課內容，看了好幾次「波特小姐」的電影片段，因此想到去湖區的旅行，不如畫一張圖緬懷過去美好的時刻吧！

While preparing the teaching materials for tomorrow's advanced course, I watched the film segments of Miss Potter for several times. My trip to the Lake District thus came to mind. And my way of re-living the lovely moments was certainly to draw a picture! 

Grape tree boy / 葡萄樹男孩

有一天楷維看我吃葡萄不吐葡萄籽，我和他說這樣肚子裡會長葡萄樹，到時候我們就有吃不完的葡萄，他覺得很好玩，和我要了幾顆紅葡萄和綠葡萄，希望吃下去之後可以生出一片果園。

One day Kai watched me eat grapes without spitting the seeds. I told him that in this way a grape tree will grow in me and that we will have tons of free grapes to eat. He found the whole thing fun, so he asked for some red and green grapes from me in the hope that the miracle will happen to him.

今天讀了大衛薛格利的畫圖方式就是把速寫本填滿，所以我畫了一堆葡萄樹男孩的圖，最後讓楷維選一張他喜歡的。

Today I read about David Shrigley, who emphasizes the idea of filling the pages. I drew several images of the grape tree boy and let Kai pick one he prefers.

Idol / 偶像

前一陣子在部落格上嚷嚷有關慕那利的繪本，凱特姐便從義大利寄來很棒的生日禮物：慕那利的書！如果說我有偶像的話，他一定是排在前三名，這傢伙一生著作如山，橫跨童書和設計類，主題也無窮無盡，是我非常景仰的藝術家。

A while ago I kept mentioning how Munari's picture book influenced me. Then I received a superb birthday gift from Italy: Caterina mailed me another book by Munari. Well, asked if I have any idol, Munari will certainly be in the top three. He is the author of tons of books including picture books and design. The subjects cover a wide range. I have great admiration for this gentleman. 

今天畫圖畫到撕掉，突然慕那利對我的影響沒來由地跑出來，把我從苦思中解救出來。

At one point I tore up my drawings out of dissatisfaction. Fortunately, the inspiration I derived from Munari saved me from the artist's block. 

希望收到這些明信片的朋友也感受到慕那利的光芒⋯

I hope friends that receive these postcards will feel the glow of Mr. Munari too...

there is only love / 就抱著愛吧！

最近在讀「這一年過得還不錯」，作者為一年十二個月份訂了不同主題，每個月針對一個主題自我改善，提高快樂感，在第二章的婚姻關係，她提到有位朋友雖然老闆很難搞，但朋友的心態是：就抱著愛吧！因為這樣的出發點，少掉了很多抱怨。

I've been reading The Happiness Project. The author Gretchen Rubin made a chart for twelve months, in each of which she had to tackle different subjects to improve herself and enhance the sense of happiness. In the second chapter on marriage, she mentioned a friend who had a difficult boss, but she convinced herself, "There is only love." Because of her mindset, she didn't complain.

今天收到溫迪從倫敦寄來的訊息，說她正在聽昆丁布雷克和陳志勇的演講，身邊還圍繞著出版商，只是讀她簡單地幾句話，我也覺得開心，雖然我已經不活在那個空間裡。但是過去的這一年很多時候畫畫的動機不是想讓別人印象深刻，就是想要得到書商的青睞，好不容易這一個月可以只是因為高興而畫圖，對我來說我也再度有所得。

Today I received a message from Wen Dee in London. She was listening to a talk given by Quentin Blake and Shaun Tan, surrounded by publishers. The short message elated me, though I no longer live in that world. During the past year, I drew because I wanted either to impress others or to win a book contract. Finally I can draw again simply because I feel happy. For me, I feel I have regained something I lost.

其實「就抱著愛吧！」看似沒有企圖心，但這是所有成功背後的最大動力啊！

The starting point "there is only love" seems insignificant, but it is actually the biggest impetus behind all sorts of success!

Wanda's art class 5 / 汪達的美術課 5

和男孩們讀了好幾次「開貨車的男人」，很想試試看這本書的形式，剛好週末要和吳妞妞小妹見面，我決定來個外帶的美術課。

After having read Munari's l'uomo del camion, I was really tempted to try the format of this book. I knew I would meet up a pretty little girl on the weekend, so I decided to have a takeout art class. 

同時我也想來個實驗，假如一個小朋友對繪本和畫畫有興趣，那麼關於個性上的問題是否可以透過繪本改善呢？我因此特地為妞妞做了個人專屬繪本。

Meanwhile I'd love to make an experiment. If a child is interested in picture books and drawing, then can we try to modify his or her behavior through picture books? I thus made a personalized picture book for Nio. 

越做越開心，便為繪本做了封套。

I got so carried away that I made a book bag for the book. 

The Listening Princess 

story and illustration by Weichuen You 

Nio is different from other princesses in that she doesn't chatter on and on. 

Nio knows that she has to be quiet and listen really hard to hear many things. 

For example. She can hear Dad's lack of self-confidence, much as he wants to take good care of everyone. 

She can hear Mom's fatigue from work. Sometimes she just wants a hug, but she doesn't say it. 

She can hear her little brother's love for her, despite the fact that he can only grin at her because he hasn't learned to talk yet. 

Having heard these secrets that are not revealed to any other person, Nio decides to give everyone a gift. 

When Dad picks her up from school, Nio holds his hand saying, "Daddy, I worked hard at school today. You have to do your best too ok?" 

Nio waits with the moon for Mom. She wants to welcome her home with a BIG hug! 

Before going to bed, Nio kisses her little brother, whispering in his ear: I love you too. Let's play together in our dreams as well!" 

Dear Nio, now be quiet for ten minutes. What do you hear from your mom, dad and brother? Draw it in the blank space on the right-side page. 

朋友們本來看到快要流眼淚，看到最後一頁的習題紛紛爆笑，他們說：為什麼老師本色又冒出來了？

My friends were almost moved to tears, but upon reading the exercise on the last page, they couldn't help bursting into crazy laughter. They asked, "Why can't you stop being a teacher?" 

終於我又可以畫圖畫得理直氣壯，所以睡了一晚起來又加了新想法。

Finally I feel free in drawing again. After a night's sleep, a new idea occurred to me, and I couldn't help further developing it. 

我替妞妞準備多餘的紙，讓她可以把無聲不能說話的物品貼起來，因為我覺得有很多美好的事物如太陽月亮星星山脈花朵等等都是安靜的，希望妞妞可以懂這個練習的重點。

I prepared extra paper for Nio so that she could do collage with shapes that stand for things/objects that don't make any sound. A lot of beautiful things, such as the sun, the moon, stars, mountains, flowers, are silent. I hope Nio gets the point of this exercise. 

這是第一次妞妞和我們吃飯的時候如此安靜專注，真好，我和愛雪說，這本書的代價是過去一年的總和，換算成金錢是一百二十萬台幣，但是我好久沒有因為畫圖這麼開心。

This was the first time that Nio remained so engaged and quiet when we ate. So nice. I told Mom that the price for this picture book, translated into monetary value, is 1.2 million NTD, the amount of money  I spent during the past year. But I have not been so happy because of drawing for a while, not even in London. 

朝下一課邁進！

Time for next lesson!