亂入童書展 / Crashing the children's book fair

書展以往只有每年年初的國際書展，不過，這幾年開始有了城市書展，今年的城市書展，據說共分五大展區，有綜合書區、國際書區、外文書區、數位出版學習區，以及手作文具區，身為一名資深文藝青年，是不是該去朝聖一下呢？

透過網路拿到免費票後，找了一個下午，我就動身前往，一進入展場後，我發現和我一開始想得不太一樣，參展的出版社不少，但是很多不是主流的出版社，比較偏小眾，如小魯文化、親子天下、康軒文教等，適合成人的圖書較少，不過，主打童書及繪本的出版社，倒是不少，一進去展場，就看到不少孩童席地而坐，翻閱繪本，有一家出版社還有說故事姐姐，吸引了一群小朋友自動自發地席地而坐，眼神緊緊盯著她，說到精彩處，小朋友們忍不住驚呼或大笑，現場氣氛溫馨又熱鬧。

數位出版區只有讀墨電子書參展，與國際書展相較，有四到五家數位出版品牌參展，顯得遜色不少，不過，我現在還是較中意紙本媒體，所以，只是體驗看看，並無採購需求，趁這機會，看看現在小朋友的童書及繪本，比我小時候豐富了不少，還有不少輔助學習的數位工具，只要小朋友輕輕用手指一點，隨即傳來朗朗的童音：「床前明月光，疑是地上霜……」不只唐詩，還有成語故事、三字經等，可以幫助培養孩童的語文能力。

我還看到現場擺放了許多精緻的立體書和互動圖卡，只要小朋友輕輕一打開，紙頁間突然冒出一座古老城堡、一片森林，甚至是一條會張嘴的恐龍，這些立體書不只是用來看的，每翻一頁，就是一場全新的冒險，在逛童書區的路上，還真是發現不少有趣的玩意，現在的小朋友的學習資源，真的是比我小時候，豐富很多。

話說回來，在前往展覽的路上，我無意間聽到一段有趣的母子對話，小男孩大概六歲左右，一路上，邊走邊跳，雙手不時揮舞著，媽媽終於受不了了，語氣中帶著幾分無奈又幾分哄騙地說道：「你快點走啦！等一下進到展覽裡面，就有冷氣吹了，還可以看書、玩遊戲喔！」，看來不少人是為了免費的冷氣而來的啊，夏天真的太熱，展場成了人們短暫避暑的樂園，順便再吸收點文化氣息，真是一舉數得啊！

In the past, Taipei only had its big international book fair at the beginning of each year. But in recent years, the City Book Exhibition has popped up as a new addition. This year's city book fair was said to have five themed sections: General Books, International Books, Foreign Language Books, Digital Publishing & Learning, and Handmade Stationery. As a self-proclaimed literary soul, I figured… why not go pay my respects?

After grabbing a free ticket online, I picked a free afternoon and headed over. But the moment I stepped into the venue, I realized it wasn’t quite what I expected. There were lots of publishers, but not so many of the big-name ones. Instead, and it was more niche presses like Hsiao Lu Publishing, Parenting World, and Kang Hsuan. Adult books were limited, but publishers focused on children’s books and picture books were everywhere. As soon as I walked in, I saw kids sitting cross-legged on the floor, flipping through colorful picture books. One publisher even brought a storytelling lady. She sat on a mini stage, reading aloud with full animation, and a bunch of kids gathered around her, eyes wide, completely drawn in. When the story hit an exciting part, you’d hear gasps and giggles. It was such a heartwarming and lively scene.

Over in the Digital Publishing zone, the only participant was Readmoo, which honestly felt a little underwhelming compared to the four or five e-publishing brands at the international book fair. But to be fair, I’m still more into physical books anyway, so I was just browsing without much intention to buy. I used the chance to check out the children’s books these days, and wow, they’re so much more vibrant than when I was little! There were all sorts of interactive tools too. Some let kids just tap the screen and suddenly you’d hear a clear child’s voice reciting, “Before my bed, the bright moonlight…” There were Tang poems, idiom stories, the Three Character Classic—you name it. It’s a super fun way to boost kids’ language skills.

I also spotted a bunch of pop-up books and interactive cards. All a kid had to do was open one, and suddenly a castle, a forest, or even a dinosaur’s head would jump out from the pages! These books weren’t just for reading. They were gateways to little adventures, with each page turn leading to a whole new world. Walking through the children’s section, I kept stumbling across fun and creative stuff. Honestly, kids today have way more learning resources than we ever did.

Oh, and on my way to the exhibition, I overheard this funny conversation between a mom and her kid. The boy looked about six and was hopping and waving his arms around nonstop. Finally, the mom—half-annoyed, half-pleading—said, “Come on, walk faster! Once we’re inside, there’s air conditioning, books to read, and games to play!” It made me laugh. Seems like some folks were mostly there for the free AC. Can’t blame them though. Summer heat is brutal, and a cool exhibition hall full of culture and entertainment? Total win-win.

For the best experience view this post on Liketu