Bringing Our Books to Our Children
Panel 한라경 (Han Rakyoung), 허정윤 (Huh Jungyoon), 오미경 (Oh Mikyeong)
4-Day Pass OR 1 & 2-Day Pass OR COF Pass
What happens when picture book creators step into the same space as their readers? In this panel, our speakers share how they’ve used their own books to spark curiosity and a love of reading in children. Drawing from their experiences conducting programmes for children, hear about the thought processes behind their activities, the creative ways they engage young readers, and how picture books can become powerful tools for imagination, empathy, and discovery.
writingverse novelspoetrycreativitylanguagestorytellingpicture book
한라경 (Han Rakyoung) (Korea)
Han Rakyoung spent her childhood as a quiet observer, filled with thoughts. After studying Korean literature and child welfare in university, she began reading books to children in a reading class, which led her to fall deeply in love with picture books. Since then, she has been working in publishing for over than years, planning and editing children’s books.
Alongside editing others’ works, she also writes—giving form to the thoughts she had gathered since childhood. Her writing seeks to capture the warmth in life. Every day, she turns her gaze toward moments of hospitality, care, shared joy, and kindness.
허정윤 (Huh Jungyoon) (Korea)
Huh Jungyoon majored in Child Studies in university and pursued graduate research in Early Childhood Education and Pedagogy. She is currently active as a picture book author, animation director, and university professor. In 2017, her book The Transparent Tree was selected for Germany’s White Ravens, and international recognition in children’s and young adults literature. In 2022 Can I Borrow Your Dad? was selected in THE BRAW AMAZING BOOKSHELF at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair.
Her works are known for their unique perspectives and heartfelt sensitivity, leaving a deep impression on readers. Notably, The Hand Reached Out addresses the issue of refugees, emphasizing the importance of empathy and solidarity. Meanwhile, KimSugar and Donas explores themes of sacrifice, devotion, and love through the story of a stray dog and a pet dog.
Huh Jungyoon continues to create meaningful works, delivering stories that inspire and move readers.
오미경 (Oh Mikyeong) (Korea)
Oh Mikyeong began her career as a children’s writer in 1998 when her middle-grade novella The Shoe Ghost Tree won a competition hosted by the Farmers Newspaper. In 2012, her full-length children's novel Family in Adolescence received the Children’s and Young Adult Literature Award of the Year.
She finds great joy in writing stories that deeply explore the hearts of children and in becoming their friend through her books. Throughout her career, she has written picture books, children's stories, and young adult novels that explore themes such as the environment, dreams, the love and meaning of family, death, and Haenyeo (female divers). She hopes to continue writing engaging and heartfelt stories that inspire children to grow up healthy, bright, and confident.
Her picture book A Granny Diver intertwines the legend of the selkie, a seal fairy from Northern European folklore, with the story of Jeju Island’s Haenyeo. It depicts the ever-changing sea, a grandmother who bravely and skillfully dives like a seal, and her granddaughter, who anxiously watches over her, fearing the loss of her beloved grandmother.
Programme dates and times are subject to change.