Lahjih Taiwanese Fable Picture Books • Set of 4

Lahjih Taiwanese Fable Picture Books (Set of 4) To commemorate the 150th anniversary of Reverend Barclay’s arrival in Taiwan and the 140th anniversary of the publication of the *Formosa Christian Weekly*, we are proud to present the nation's first original Taiwanese Hokkien fable picture book series written in Pe̍h-ōe-jī. Introduction and Features *Lahjih Taiwanese Fable Picture Books* is the nation's first original collection of Taiwanese Hokkien fable stories written in Pe̍h-ōe-jī. The author draws inspiration from Taiwanese animals, plants, and the daily lives of Taiwanese people to create engaging and culturally resonant fables in Taiwanese Hokkien. The complete set includes 4 volumes, with each volume featuring 16 stories. Written entirely in Pe̍h-ōe-jī and accompanied by QR codes for authentic narration, these books invite readers into a world of delightful fables, encouraging them to read, learn Taiwanese, and gain profound life lessons. Author Lahjih Siau Pêng-tī Siau Pêng-tī has dedicated over 30 years to Taiwanese literature, steadfastly creating works that preserve Taiwanese memories and culture. Beyond writing, he actively participates in various Taiwanese language education initiatives, including Romanization, phonetics, children's songs, Chinese-Taiwanese vocabulary comparison, Taiwanese proverbs, Taiwanese bird poetry, and curriculum development. These experiences have enriched his creative endeavors. Expert Recommendations ❖ Cheng Bang-Jhen, Former Director, National Museum of Taiwan Literature This is a set of Taiwanese Hokkien fables written for Taiwanese children. The refined language and local themes showcase a rich tapestry of Taiwanese imagery, while also embedding profound Taiwanese experiences and life philosophies. Highly recommended. ❖ Chang Fu-Jui, Founding President, Taiwanese Romanization Association Teacher Siau Pêng-tī shares the footprints of his 80 years of life through stories written in Taiwanese Romanization (Pe̍h-ōe-jī), a script used globally, and authentic Taiwanese Hokkien. It is suitable for students, parents, grandparents, and everyone in between. This collection serves to pass down Taiwanese mother tongue culture and promote the precious wisdom of the Taiwanese people. ❖ Chiang Wei-Wen, Professor, Department of Taiwanese Literature, National Cheng Kung University Just as Aesop is known worldwide, Lahjih is Taiwan's own! Aesop's Fables are renowned classics, and Lahjih's fables are equally enduring favorites for Taiwanese children. ❖ Chen Mu-Chen, Assistant Professor, Department of Taiwanese Literature, National Cheng Kung University This is a set of Taiwanese Hokkien reading materials that are both enjoyable and thought-provoking, making it an excellent choice for accompanying children as they learn Taiwanese. --- Author's Preface Lahjih (Siau Pêng-tī) Taiwanese people need their own fables. From 1948, when I entered school until junior high graduation, I knew nothing about fables or fairy tales. The few children's stories I encountered were likely introduced through textbooks or told by teachers. Later, as a teacher, I shared stories like 'The Crow Drinks Water,' 'The Tortoise and the Hare,' 'The Dog and the Frog,' 'The Golden Axe,' 'The Fox and the Grapes,' and 'The North Wind and the Sun' with my students. Although they were amusing, they didn't particularly spark my interest. Currently, the fables in published books and textbooks are mostly Chinese translations, with only a few Taiwanese translations, lacking original Taiwanese narratives. I thought, why can't we create our own Taiwanese fables for children? We can use local wild animals, birds, insects, vegetables, and flowers as protagonists and supporting characters, crafting stories that express proverbs, human relationships, social dynamics, and moral ethics. This way, children can not only learn Taiwanese but also understand the local ecology. This is an idea worth pursuing. Thinking alone wasn't enough; I started writing. Lahjih's Taiwanese Hokkien is pure, and I can write in Taiwanese Romanization. With the help of Google, I began piecing together one story after another. Some Facebook friends offered praise, magazines invited me to contribute, and websites requested serialization. In about a year, I had gathered over 200 pieces. Here, I especially thank my good friend, teacher Chen Kun-Ming, for illustrating these fable picture books, helping to convey their meanings and beautifying the pages. This set of fable picture books features a selection of 64 of these stories for publication. I am delighted and hope that everyone who reads them will enjoy them. ------ ISBN: 9786269980017 Specifications: Hardcover / 160 pages / 19.6 x 27 x 3.5 cm / Full Color Printing / First Edition Publication Location: Taiwan