between text and illustration / 文圖之間

今年開始對自己的創作模式有一些思考，好一陣子都是從文字著手，有時寫到沒有畫面，自己也察覺不到，所以我想改變。

This year I started to have some reflection on my pattern of making a picture book. For the past few years I have written the text first, but the danger is that sometimes part of the text doesn't conjure up any visual image, which I might not be aware of.  

        自從去上了繪本課之後，得到很多刺激，例如說我又一再被提醒，所有好作品的出發點都是創作者本身要享受整個過程，那些外加的目的和野心必須先放在一邊。

     Ever since I attended the picture-making courses, I have gained much stimulation. For one thing, I am constantly reminded that I have to discard my ambition and focus on enjoying making a book.

        雖然在分享作品方面，我是個超級膽小鬼，可是看到同學們大方地把作品擺出來，懇切地和老師同儕討論，我也自我鼓勵，每次上課都不斷突破心防。

     I am a coward when it comes to sharing my works, but seeing my classmates present and share their stories with everyone in class, I also try my best do let go of my fear. 

        透過老師不斷問問題，加上我說出自己在創作上一直以來的瓶頸，我覺得好像找到前進的路。

     In trying to answer the teacher's questions and voicing the problem I have detected in creating stories, somehow I feel I have found a really good direction. 

        因為我老是在故事裡包含太多意涵，所以最後主題沒說清楚，又把故事弄得很抽象。老師說我可以從圖畫起，把抽象的文本具像化，再把圖串連起來。

     Since I've always wanted to include too much in my stories, I fail to express the themes successfully. Also, they are too abstract for children to understand. My teacher said that I can try starting from drawing pictures because that way I can give concrete images to abstract ideas. Then a story can be developed by connecting the images I have. 

        即使故事這次寫不好，我也不在意從頭再來。只要我可以學著把故事說好，一切都好說。

     Even if the drafts are a failure, I don't mind begin anew. As long as I can learn to tell a good story, every effort is worth it. 

Moving / 搬家

去年參加佳怡的喪禮之後，從主持人身上得到了靈感，想要好好地重寫阿嬤的故事。這次還請了同事如慧家的小亮和小佑來合作畫插圖，雖然實際準備的時間不長，但因為是一直在腦海中的故事，所以寫起來很順暢。

Last year I was inspired by something said by the host of Chai-y's funeral, which prompted me to rewrite my granny's story. Because of the story's narrative, I even invited the sons of my colleague Emily, Liang and Yo, to illustrate the story together with me. I didn't spend much time making the book since it had been a story that I wanted to tell all these years. 

        這是我第一次和別人合作做繪本，剛開始並不確定自己的想法是否有辦法成真，對於不能讓小亮自由發揮想法，我覺得很過意不去，但因為如慧的決心和堅持，慢慢地我們找到了合作的方法。，以前都是自己一個人埋頭苦幹，有了伙伴之後，我得到意想不到的力量，例如說，如果我進度快，把當天的進展拍給小朋友看時，他們也會加緊腳步，這之間我們互相鼓勵，產生很美好的能量。

     This was a very special experience because it was my first time doing collaborative work. In the beginning, I wasn't sure if the plan was feasible. I hesitated at first for I felt a great sense of guilt in not being able to let Liang exert his creativity. However, thanks to Emily's determination and persistence, we gradually found ways to collaborate. In the process, I gained much strength from my partners, and this was what I couldn't imagine when I worked all by myself. For example, we would share what we had done with each other on a regular basis. Our mutual encouragement made me feel that I could go on and finish the project with ease. 

        孩子們在過程中同樣的稿必須畫很多次，我非常感謝他們的耐心，而能看到這本書的讀者，翻開的時候都感到很驚喜。

     Liang and Yo had to redraw the same pictures several times before the final version. My thanks to them are really beyond description. The design and arrangement of the images also surprise readers when they open the book. 

        雖然今年我沒有入圍信誼的繪本獎，儘管之前有些沮喪，不過因為常常失敗，對於輸贏想得很開了，同時也趕緊自我檢討，我想應該是我的故事要從小朋友的觀點來說，必須把死亡的議題更具像化，不過我也能更寬闊地想，寫故事要回到開心做的初衷，然後不要忘記問問小讀者的意見。

     Though I wasn't even shortlisted this year in the picture book award of the picture book competition held by Hsin-y Publisher, I bounced back soon after taking my time to get over the frustration. I guess  constant failures have turned me into a very powerful person. Fortunately, friends gave me great feedback regarding how to revise the story. The best advice is that I should try to tell the story from a child's perspective and give concrete imagery especially when it comes to a difficult issue like death. Meanwhile, I remind myself that I should write out of joy and constantly consult my young readers. 

        這個星期終於拿到印出來的書，只印了三本，我想我之後一定又會把這個故事做華麗大變身，到時候這個故事各時期的樣貌排在一起來看時，就會很驚人！ 

     This week I finally got the printed version of the book, and there are only three copies in the world. I will definitely transform the story into another one when I feel ready. Then, the books I have written along the way will be amazing when they are juxtaposed together! 

The city on a cloudy day / 陰天，城市裡

還是好迷人。

Still has irresistible charm. 

Chubby Auntie / 胖阿姨

胖阿姨早上在萬芳醫院捷運站發報紙好幾年，每天她會給我好明亮的微笑，我的心情總是因此一振。前一陣子胖阿姨再也沒有出現，我想了幾個星期，幻想她或許生病了、或許遠遊。

Chubby Auntie had been handing out free newspapers in the Wanfang Hospital MRT station for several years. Every day her bright smile would light up my day. However, a while ago, Chubby Auntie  vanished without a trace. I wondered if she fell ill or if she went on a long journey. 

        那一陣子聽了繪本作家馬尼尼爲的演講，對於海的旅館有非常嚮往的心情，那是可以獨處的空間。

     I happened to attend a talk given by the illustrator Maniniwe then. I long to spend some time in her "Sea Hotel," where I will have all the time and space to myself. 

        也許胖阿姨去了海的旅館。

        想不到有一天居然在家裡的捷運站遇見胖阿姨，原來派報社不再雇用胖阿姨了。

        我居然如此想念一個近似陌生人的胖阿姨‧‧‧‧‧‧

     Maybe Chubby Auntie went to the Sea Hotel. 

     One day I encountered Chubby Auntie coincidentally in the MRT station near home. She explained to me that she is no longer employed by the newspaper. 

     Strangely, I miss such a stranger so much that my heart aches... 

Ghostly monster and elixir spring fairy / 鬼怪與長壽湯的仙女

三年半前去韓國玩，買了一堆繪本，雖然看不懂，但是看到圖就很開心。最近因為心醉電視劇「鬼怪」，不禁想起我最愛的繪本，強烈地懷疑這本書應該在講韓國民俗中流傳的鬼怪，我終於有衝動請身邊的韓文老師翻譯，果然是在說一堆饑餓的鬼怪的故事，不過他們有點笨，雖然會變出金子，卻無法得到他們想要的年糕，和帥氣的孔劉差真多。

I went on a picture-book shopping spree when traveling to Korea three and half years ago. Though I hardly understood the text, I did take much delight in merely looking at the images. Lately, the super hit drama "Ghostly monster" has reminded me that maybe one of the books I own is about the folklore character, the ghostly monster. I was finally motivated to ask a Korean teacher to roughly translate the story for me. As I had guessed, the book is about a bunch of starving ghostly monsters. Though they could conjure up gold nuggets, they couldn't get the deuk bog gi (rice cake) they crave for. Well, what a contrast with the handsome lead role in the drama. 

        我真心覺得韓國人很厲害，民間傳說也可入繪本和流行文化，哪天我也要來做個年獸的故事。

     I admire Koreans for their talent and marketing strategies from the bottom of my heart. It's amazing to see folklore used in picture books and pop culture. Some day I am doing to write a story based on Nien, a fierce beast in Chinese folk stories. 

        很巧地，昨天又在dpi雜誌裡讀到當時買的另一本繪本簡介，這本叫「長壽湯的仙女」，作者白熙娜的作品都很吸引我，主題是以韓國人習以為常的澡堂生活為背景，敘述一名和媽媽去泡澡的小女孩，在玩水的時候遇見老阿媽般的仙女，兩人短暫地玩一陣子，卻發展出情誼。

     Coincidentally, I read the summary of another book I had bought back then in dpi illustration magazine yesterday. The book is titled The Elixir Spring Fairy. The books of the author, Bae Hee Na are all my favorites. The story takes place in a public bathhouse. A little girl meets a granny-like fairy as she is playing in the pool. Their short but sweet friendship becomes a wonderful memory for the little girl. 

        很偶然地在三年半後才發現自己買的書究竟在說什麼，這真是最棒的聖誕禮物！

     I hadn't expected to learn anything about the books I  purchased a long time ago, but right because of that, this surprise turned out to be the best Christmas gift!

long and beautiful journey / 又漫長又美好

今年的信誼幼兒文學獎改在信誼的好好生活廣場舉辦，不過不管在哪裡舉辦，我都會去參加！

My yearly goal is to participate in the picture-book contest held by Hsin-y publisher and go to the award ceremony wherever the venue is. This time I decided to write only instead of making a book. My work "Sunny and Rain" is shortlisted. 

        今年的文字創作獎沒有嘉作也沒有首獎，現在的我已經學到輸贏不是最重要的事，寫一個好故事才是我的目標。這個故事的靈感來自於我去北歐的旅行，回來時我的傘上還留著北歐的雨，因此很想幫雨寫一個故事，剛好很符合今年台灣的天氣呢！

     Unfortunately, there is no winner in the category of story-writing. However, my failures last year taught me that creating a good story is much more important than winning. The inspiration for my story comes from my trip to North Europe last summer. It surprised me quite a bit to see the raindrops remaining on my umbrella when I opened it after returning to Taiwan. Thus, I was motivated to write a story for the rain. The story comes in handy in the rainy spring here! 

        寫作就是人生的反映，總是會有起起伏伏，今年寫的故事或許特別吸引人，但也許明年的故事就沒有那麼傑出，這都是很正常的。

     Writing or making picture books is a reflection of human life in that there are always ups and downs. Maybe your story is particularly amazing this year, but it doesn't guarantee that next year you'll come up with an equally wonderful one. And we all have to bear that in mind instead of taking the outcome of the contest too seriously. 

        好一陣子沒有上兒童文學的課程了，再度來到這樣的場合，不禁又激動了起來，心中對於做繪本的熱情又熊熊地燒了起來，放眼望去是一年又一年都來的熟悉面孔，大家都很努力地朝著同一個目標前進，雖然不是一蹴可及，可是想到原來自己在意的事對很多創作者也同樣重要，信念就更堅定了。

     I haven't gone to any workshop on children literature for a while. Being on such an occasion once again, the fire in me is rekindled again. Every year I get to see many familiar faces of creators who go all out for the same goal. Though the road to success is paved with challenges and frustrations, my faith is strengthened upon being reminded that the goal that I consider so essential also matters so much to many picture-book makers. 

        今年的繪本佳作得主葉曼玲小姐，作品內容靈感源自於女兒在公園裡撿的花葉種子。

     This is the runner-up Ms. Yeh for the category of picture books. Her story is inspired by her daughters picking leaves and seeds in the park. 

        今年的特別獎得主是蕭湄羲小姐，十二年前就得過大獎，她說這中間沒有創作的時候就觀察和思考，我特別喜歡這句話。

     This is the winner of the special award Ms. Hsiao. She won the award twelve years ago. During the interim when she didn't create, she spent time observing and thinking. These words really impress me. 

        從缺多年的首獎今年終於找到得主，是很有名氣的郭乃文和周見信先生，靈感來自曾經飼養的小狗。

     The winners of the best picture book this year go to the famous pair Mr. Guo and Mr. Chou. Their story is inspired by their pet dog. 

        主辦單位也特別頒發終身成就獎給藝術家趙國宗老師，同時也有他的畫展。

     The host also gives the lifetime achievement award to the renowned artist Mr. Zhou. His exhibition is also held at the same time. 

        最令人感動的則是林良老師，每年都見到他，每周在國語日報上都讀到他的文章，真是完全奉獻給兒童文學的人生，我也要那麼充滿熱情才行！

     What moves me most is seeing Mr. Lin again. Though he is in his 90s, he is still dedicated to writing for children. I definitely want to be as hard-working as he is! 

        今天的晚餐則是在螢火蟲相伴的和美山，一邊喝著蜂蜜啤酒，接下來再重新開始吧！

     To top the afternoon off, we spend my evening in the company of fireflies and a can of honey beer in the suburban hill. Well, you know what? I am going to start all anew again! 

After a fantastic trip / 旅行之後的高潮

旅行過後，一切歸於平淡，能比旅行精采的事之一，就是參加一場婚禮，而且是弟弟的婚禮。

What can be more fantastic than a trip? One of the choices is going to a wedding, the wedding of my little brother. 

        除了為新人興奮和開心，我也有許多個人的收穫：和小時候的老師們再度相遇，老師說我以前是個小作家，還幫我的作品印成冊，其實我都不記得了，不過在這種需要努力的片刻，聽到這些話，給了我很大的鼓勵。還收到了吉吉送的日韓繪本們，讓我想要在美麗的春天裡在文字和圖畫編織的夢境裡打滾。

     Of course I feel thrilled and happy for the newly-wed couple. However, God has given me much more than that. In the wedding, I encounter my elementary school teacher, who reminds me that I used to be a good writer. In fact, he cherishes a lot a collection of essays I wrote when I was little. To be honest, I don't remember a thing, but his words greatly encourage me at moments like this. Moreover, I have received a bunch of great Korean and Japanese picture books from Shaggy. I feel the urge to dream in the world woven with words and images in spring. 

        而最大的驚喜就是收到弟弟和弟妹的捧花，現在它在書房的桌上陪著我，感覺會為我帶來全世界的好運氣！

     As for my biggest surprise, I receive half of the bride's bouquet, which is right by my side in the study at this moment. I feel it will bring me all the luck in the world! 

Norway and me / 挪威與我

我太喜歡挪威了，情不自禁地想為這個國家畫很多圖！

I so love Norway, to such a degree that I feel like drawing lots of pictures for it! 

        昨天收到了一件超棒的禮物，左手邊是去年去韓國玩買的繪本，放在書櫃裡一年，雖然常常拿出來翻，我卻完全不懂故事在說什麼，結果事隔一年，小蕙在眾書裡挑了中文版送我，而且是本挪威來的書，作者歐希莉‧楊森住在我很愛的卑爾根，還順便讓我比較台韓兩國的印刷，這世界整個連在一起的啊！

        更棒的是，這個禮物給了我下個月植標館的活動靈感！

     Yesterday I received a superb gift. On the left is a picture book I bought in Busan last summer. Though I often thumb through it, I never get what the story is about. A year later, Huei gave me the Chinese version without knowing anything about the background story. I found it's a book written by the Norwegian author Åshild Kanstad Johnsen, who lives in my favorite city, Bergen. I've also got to compare the printing differences in Taiwan and Korea. What can I say? Everything in this world is all connected! 

     Better yet, I've gained inspiration for the Saturday activities in the herbarium next month! 

        我倒是很好奇挪威原本的書是怎樣的呢！

     I do wonder what the Norwegian version looks like! 

temporary failure / 暫時的失敗

過了腳步錯亂的一週，終於收到結果，雖然很認真準備「香蕉男孩」，居然連入圍都沒有，今天想起來還覺得是件有趣的事。

After a chaotic week, I've finally received the letter from the publisher Hsin-y. Though it took me nine months to prepare the book The Banana Boy, my work isn't even shortlisted. As a matter of fact, I find it to be rather intriguing after cooling down. 

        因為沒有太多時間難過，沮喪一個晚上之後，我邊回顧過去一年學到的東西，邊自我檢討，然後許多人生片刻就像潮汐般湧進腦中。

     As I don't have much time to lament over my failure, I allowed myself only an evening to get over the feeling of frustration. While I am looking back on what I've learned over the past year,  numerous past moments flash into my mind. 

        首先想到這週去上柯倩華老師的繪本課，她一直強調要化繁為簡，但是「香蕉男孩」裡有太多條故事線，我想這應該是其中一個原因。我想到自己以前走的風格以簡單扼要為主，可是在學習的過程中過度飽和，很想來個大逆轉，沒有掌握好反而走了極端，故事裡還有故事，背景裡還塞了細節。

     First, I recall what Mr. Ko, the lecturer of a picture book class I've started to attend this week, says about SIMPLIFYING everything. I bet one of the problems about The Banana Boy is that there are too many story lines. I then think of my past works which are done in my characteristic simple style. However, I've learned so much over the past year that I want to cram a lot of ideas into the book. This time my story and illustrations are full of too many details. 

        我不得不想到在英國學習的經驗，每當我過度努力時，就忘了放鬆，最後便失去了自己，我還記得老師看著我的圖說：這不是你。感覺像同樣的故事上演；而且現在的我過度想贏，無法一直把焦點放在輕鬆玩樂上，此時我便無法自在灑脫，有可能線條因此失去了生命。

     This morning I can't help thinking of my learning experiences in the UK. Every time when I overworked, I forgot to relax and eventually ended up feeling lost. I still remember my instructor Lou saying to me when going over my pictures: This is not you. Now it feels like the same story is being replayed. I also feel that I want to win so much now that I can't focus on having fun all the time. Then of course I can't relax, and it follows that my lines have lost freshness. 

        仔細想想，每次被說是不錯的作品都是要交稿前趕出來的，我得對自己好一點啊！與其加一點油，我應該放一點油！

     It occurs to me my good works are usually produced before the deadline. Maybe I should learn to be nice to myself in the first place. Instead of further pushing myself, I should let it go! 

        唯一不好意思的就是沒法對楷維交代，不過既然是這樣，就再畫一本楷維的書吧！

     I feel bad about not being able to make Kai's dream come true for the time being. But I do have a solution, that is, I'll revise or draw a new book for Kai!

Banana Boy / 香蕉男孩

這兩天內心的小劇場特別活躍，因為一直等不到信誼的結果，最後自己就先崩潰了。今天打電話去問，對方說還要再等約莫兩週，之所以鼓起勇氣打，因為想說三月就要結束，我就算多麼在意，也要把焦慮留在這個月，清爽地邁入四月。

I've been tortured by anxiety recently. Since I hadn't received any kind of notice from Hsin-y, I kind of collapsed. Today Meiyen gave a call to the publisher asking if the outcome of the picture book contest had been announced. I needed to wrap this up emotionally because I want to head into April without the mental burden. 

        「香蕉男孩」是楷維的書，他問我能不能在誠品買，我說我超想的，他也跟著說：我也好想，要是到處都買得到就好了。然後我們便開始發揮蓬勃的想像力，他問：火星人可不可以買，我答：不只火星人想買，金星人也想買，可是書店大缺貨，印刷廠正在趕工，我們也到處出席簽書會！楷維接著說：我們的每一本書都會熱賣！最後我慫恿他：你每天晚上睡覺前都幫我祈禱吧！

     The Banana Boy is Kai's book. He asks me if it's available in Eslite Bookstores. I tell him that I'd like that to happen too. He then replies, "Me too! I hope it'll be available in every book store!" Then we start to daydream. "Can Martians buy it?" "Not only Martians but also Venusians want to buy the book, but every bookstore is out of stock. The printing factories are hurrying to come up with more! We'll sign books until our hands drop!" He goes on to say, "Every book of ours will be the best-seller!" In the end I prompt him to pray for me every night before going to bed. 

        做「香蕉男孩」真的是用盡我所有的努力了，所以怎麼樣我都不會為難自己，也很感謝和男孩們一起作夢的日子，很希望可以讓更多人看見。

     I literally spared no effort to make The Banana Boy, so whatever the result is, I won't give myself a hard time. I especially love the days I spent daydreaming with the boys, and it's definitely our biggest hope to make the book seen by as many people as possible. 

        等待的同時，下一本書給我的阿嬤，我們七月見！

     Meanwhile, I'll say hello to my next book dedicated to my granny. See you in July! 

Stone Soup study club 14 / 石頭湯讀書會之十四

今天的講者是陳玉金老師，她是資深的圖畫書編輯和作者，主題是知識性繪本。

Today the guest speaker is Ms. Yujin Chen, who is a senior picture book writer and editor. The topic is on non-fiction picture books. 

        老師帶來了幾本知識性繪本，其中包括日本插畫家加藤亞樹的小小鄰系列，這兩本書─「小小鄰愛種花」〈春〉和「小小鄰愛冒險」〈夏〉，以虛構性角色帶出植物知識，非常討人喜歡。

   First of all, Ms. Chen shares some non-fiction picture books with us. Among them are the Little Neighbors series by the Japanese writer and illustrator Kato Aju. The fictional main characters weave the major story plot and knowledge on flowers is introduced in easily understandable and highly enjoyable manners. 

        老師也帶來了她所撰寫的南科考古系列繪本，並且說明創作過程，令我不禁也想試試看知識性繪本的創作。

   Mr. Chen also brings her picture book series on the latest archeological sites in Tainan. She explains the whole process of making the books in detail, which arouses my interest in making non-fiction books. 

        陳老師認為我們應該要做本土、原創性的圖畫書，知識性繪本可以利用故事連串，帶出專業知識，讓讀者可以邊想像邊學習。

   Ms. Chen encourages us to create original picture books that tell stories about Taiwan. One way to create non-fictional picture books is to incorporate fictional stories and introduce scientific knowledge at the same time. 

        老師說話的語調淡定溫柔，把知識性繪本從頭到尾、從文字到圖像要注意的無數細節，做了最清楚客觀的說明，雖然把想像力加入知識性繪本可以增添閱讀的樂趣，可是對繪者來說，圖像講究寫實，對於插畫家是很有趣的挑戰。

   Ms. Chen speaks in a calm and gentle way, telling us everything about how to create a non-fiction picture book in terms of the text and images. Something important in making a non-fiction book is doing tons of research for both the writer and the illustrator. Also, the latter has to be as accurate as possible when it comes to artistic expression so as not to mislead the reader. 

        陳老師的部落格上提供許多和圖畫書相關的訊息，可說是個大寶庫喔！

   Ms. Chen offers all sorts of news on picture books on her blog. Please check it out: 

http://blog.udn.com/yujinchen0412

A HUGE LEAP / 一大步

今天收到信誼的掛號信之前，心想：之前沒有入圍的信也都是這麼薄薄一張‧‧‧‧‧‧不過打開之後在電梯裡只差沒跳了起來，這是我第四次參加信誼的繪本比賽，終於入圍了，雖然不知道能不能進入最後兩終兩名，但對我來說已經是很大的一步。

Before I opened the registered mail from Hsin Yi Foundation, I thought, "The rejection slips from the past few years were also this thin ... " But the surprise this time really made my day. This is my fourth time participating in the contest, and my work is finally shortlisted this year. Though I don't know if I'll make it to the final two, for me, this is already such a HUGE leap.

        雖然我不是天才型的繪本家，但慢慢地，也開始找到了方向，不過我覺得更重要的是企圖心，最近隨著春天的到來，我又有了新的動力，從現在開始，我要更義無反顧地把寫繪本和畫繪本這件事做好，我想我會離目標越來越近，我相信在多元的市場裡一定有我的位置！

   Compared with excellent picture book makers, I was not born with the talent. However, slowly, I've found my direction. With the coming of spring, I've found new impetus. From now on, I will work harder to write and draw picture books. I feel that I am getting closer and closer to my goal and that there will be a place for me in the diverse market!

Stone Soup study club 3 / 石頭湯讀書會之三

跳過了上週末下雨的大龍峒之旅，我直接來到石頭湯讀書會的第三次聚會，由黃惠綺老師主講日本繪本，今天的主題是春天。看到老師帶來一大皮箱的日本繪本，我便興奮不已。第一個故事是有關於宅急便先生如何把包裹裡的春天送給住在深山的小朋友們，一邊看美麗的圖片，聽老師念很溫柔的日文，真的是視覺和聽覺的享受。

Having skipped the second gathering of Stone Soup study club last weekend, I came directly to the third lesson, which was hosted by Ms. Hui-chi Huang on the topic of spring in Japanese picture books. I felt all worked up upon seeing her come in with a suitcase filled with picture books. The first book is about how a delivery man drives all the way into a small snowy town in the mountains to deliver packages of spring to children. It was a visual and audio feast to look at the fantastic images and hear the teacher recite in soft Japanese. 

        而這本叫做「野狼飛起來了」的繪本則是作者在某個暴風夜的體驗，故事有關小朋友在風雨交加的夜裡感到不安，作者設計很多動物角色，讓情節充滿想像力，是很迷人的一本書。

   This book titled The Flying Wolf derived from the author's personal experience on a stormy night. It talks about children's anxiety on such a night. She designed many animal roles to make the plot really interesting. Because the style of illustrations really speak to me, I find it to be irresistible.  

        這本以蘋果爲主題的繪本非常天馬行空，一小男孩看到桌上的蘋果之後開始發想，也許蘋果並不是蘋果，可能是內部是葡萄的蘋果，這世界上可能是由蘋果外星人組成的，讀這本書可以完全解放我們的想像力。

   This book based on the theme of an apple is super imaginative. The story starts with a little boy wondering if the apple on the table is really an apple. He wonders it might be an apple with something else inside. Or this world might be full of appliens. It is said the book sold extremely well in Japan. 

        至於這本以免洗筷爲主角的故事，是說一雙叫瓦利的筷子很希望自己被顧客拿來使用，但始終沒有人注意到他，於是他開始一連串的逃亡去不同的餐廳和住家，繪者很厲害地賦予一雙筷子諸多表情和性格，非常可愛的一本書。

   The story in this picture book features a pair of disposable chopsticks named Wally. He wants to be used by customers badly, but no one notices him. He is so desperate that he decides to seek a new chance in other restaurants. The illustrator gave so much life to Wally that it's just impossible for the reader not to love the book. 

        每次去上課都會遇到很有元氣的阿姑，我突然發現她也有順手塗鴉的習慣。

   Every time I run into the energetic lady, and it wasn't until this weekend that I discovered that she has the habit of drawing sketches. 

        後來和阿姑聊才發現，原來她覺得自己忘得很快，但如果有記錄下當時的畫面，就可以保存一點記憶。阿姑還毫不吝嗇地把很多作品和我分享，是非常開朗的人喔！

   In my later conversations with her, she explained that now she forgets easily, but if she makes an effort to sketch, she will get to keep something in her memory. She even shared her works with me. Her optimism is contagious. 

        櫻花是日本繪本中的一大主題，老師也分享好幾本關於季節更迭、生命循環的好書，後面的幾本書都是走畫功路線。

   Cherry flowers are a major theme in Japanese picture books. The teacher also introduced several good books about seasonal change and life cycle. These books impressed me not only with their stories but also with the sophisticated drawing skills of the illustrators. 

        而這本關於死亡的書讀起來令人很有感覺，作者以真誠寫實的口吻討論很重大的議題，繪者的功力也很驚人，聽完故事之後讓我久久不能自已。

   This book about death made a lot of think. The author discusses death in a genuine and realistic tone. The illustrator also did a wonderful job. A lot of us still wanted to talk more about it afterwards. 

        雖然我離出書的夢想還有一大段距離，不過在這過程中的追尋是很幸福的，慢慢地，我好像開始找到之前某些疑問的答案了。下午同孩子和家人去看「如果」劇團的「真假王子」，深深覺得這世界真是充滿太多好玩的事了，要是我不畫繪本，也可以考慮去當舞台劇演員，但我要專注一件事，認真把它做好！

   Though I am still very far away from my dream of having my picture book published, the way to my goal is filled with happiness in that I've got to see so much. Gradually, I have found answers to some of my questions. In the afternoon, my big family and I went to the children's play The Real Prince by the Taiwanese troupe IF. I have to say this world is full of a lot of fun things. If I didn't draw picture books, I would think seriously about being an actress. Having said that, I still prefer to focus on one thing only and give it all my attention! 

Stone Soup study club 1 / 石頭湯讀書會之一

我想學寫故事有一陣子了，上星期放棄上蕨類課程的機會，卻非常幸運地從郭城孟老師的臉書連到中華民國兒童文學協會，偶然發現三月有讀書會的行程，我當然不能放棄這天上掉下來的好運氣。

I'd wanted to learn about story-writing for a while. Last week I gave up the fantastic opportunity of taking a course in ferns in NTU, but God didn't give me up. I accidentally found the Facebook webpage of The Association of Children Literature, ROC via the page of the herbarium's director. What's better, new study club sessions are scheduled to begin in March. How can I ignore such a heavenly chance? 

        第一週的主講人是楊茂秀教授，他是很棒的兒童教育學家，一開場便說了好幾個故事，老師說故事的功力讓人完全不懷疑故事的真假，而且老師靈活運用聲音和肢體語言，把每個角色扮演得栩栩如生，加上他天生的幽默感，每個故事其實都像演出來的繪本。

   The lecturer of the first week is Prof. Mau-hsiu Yang. He's an excellent children educator. He starts the "new semester" with several stories. Dr. Yang is such a wonderful storyteller that I don't question if the plots are true at all. Besides, he exerts his voice and body language to such a degree, along with his natural sense of humor, that every story he tells is a picture book that comes alive. 

        其實每一個故事的哲學都很簡單，去掉大人社會化的認知，回到兒童最單純的想法，這就是繪本的精神，而神奇的是，對我來說，回到最初有重新學習的強烈力道。

   In fact, the philosophy in every story is simple. The spirit of picture books is to discard what socialization has imposed on every child and to highlight children's innocence. Amazingly, though I once had that in me, I feel the power of re-learning what I have forgotten or left behind. 

        楊教授也提出有趣的名詞，如故事生態學，也就是說故事沒有必要一定要如此，結局可以順著自然的方向發展，原來故事書也要像圓融的人生觀一樣自在；還有，東西是有生命的，人和他們是平等的，果然很多繪本都因為賦予東西生命，於是觀點就變得好玩了。

   Prof. Yang also comes up some interesting ideas. For example, there is not a "must-be" ending to a story. Instead, the story can go with the flow. So I've learned that stories and real life are the same--we should allow for many possibilities. Also, the term "ecomocracy" advocates that things have life and that people and things are equal. True, many picture books are fun to read because the objects have their unique points of view as well. 

        聽著老師說著說著，等我下午去植標館時，居然有個錯覺，覺得我可以替植標館的生活寫部少年小說了。

   As I listen to Prof. Yang, a really wild idea crosses my mind when I go to the herbarium in the afternoon. I suddenly believe that I am capable of writing a teenage novel for the life in the herbarium! 

        讀書會的現場清一色是女性，從一個人來的女生，到帶著孩子來的媽媽，還有阿嬤，不知道喜歡繪本的男人都去哪了。我身邊坐了個認真的媽媽，抱著一歲的小嬰兒，他的視線放在我身上好長一會兒，即使我沒有小孩，也覺得自己融入在現場和樂的氛圍裡。最後有些孩子們都跑走了，大人們卻聽演講聽得目不轉睛，看來大人比小朋友還需要繪本啊！

   It's funny to see only women in the study club, from single women to married women with children to grandmas. I wonder where the picture-book loving men are. A really committed mom with a one-year-old infant mom sits next to me, while the baby can't take his eyes off me for a long while. Now, despite the fact that I am childless, I don't feel so anymore. In the end, some children have started their own "play club" whereas the adults are the ones that stay to listen to Prof. Yang. It seems adults need picture books more than children!