Stories That Matter: Difficult Truths About Children’s Literature
Panel 차은실 (Cha Eunsil), 오미경 (Oh Mikyeong), 소윤경 (So Yunkyoung)
The world can be harsh and, at times, cruel. As much as we want to shield children from its darker realities, they inevitably encounter them, whether through their own experiences or those of others. How can children's literature help young readers navigate these challenging truths and offer comfort?
What role can children’s content play in fostering empathy and solidarity with marginalised voices? Together with authors who address various social issues such as death, animal rights, and other societal injustices in their books, this session will discuss how difficult topics can be translated into stories that resonate with and support young readers.
차은실 (Cha Eunsil) (Korea)
After majoring in economics at university, Cha Eunsil has worked as an illustrator for over ten years, engaging in various creative projects. Currently, she focuses on creating picture books.
She is particularly interested in exploring the meaning of living together and the value of small, seemingly insignificant things through her picture books. She views life as a continuous journey of curiosity and choices, and she seeks to capture the process of growth within relationships.
She approaches picture books as more than just simple stories—they are a window that can pose profound questions to readers and offer new perspectives on the world.
She actively participates in exhibitions and book festivals, valuing direct communication with readers. Moving forward, she hopes to continue connecting with more people through picture books and meaningful storytelling.
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.
소윤경 (So Yunkyoung) (Korea)
So Yunkyoung has worked as both a children's book illustrator and a picture book author for over 20 years. In Korea, she is known for creating unique fantasy picture books. She explores a wide range of themes not typically found in children's literature, such as humanity’s cruelty toward life on Earth, the hidden side of human pleasures, dazzling depictions of the underworld, as well as war and death. She willingly brings forth dark emotions like conflict and sorrow, aiming to inspire readers with the courage to confront fear.
To her, picture books are “books that embody art”. She integrates various visual art genres—including painting, fantasy, horror, and graphic novels—to craft picture books with new narrative structures.
Additionally, she expands picture books into artistic content across various fields, such as film, animation, performance, and exhibitions. Her goal is to cultivate a picture book culture that can be enjoyed not only by children and young adults but by people of all ages.
Programme dates and times are subject to change.