Economic Hardship in Taiwanese Picturebooks

Abstract:This article examines three picturebooks that represent different approaches to the problem of economic hardship in Taiwan: two books by Chih-Yuan Chen, Yige buneng meiyou liwu de rizi (The Best Christmas Ever; 2003) and Xiong baba qu ling yige chengshi gongzuo (Papa Bear Goes to Work in Another City; 2010), and Heihaizi (Black Kids; 2017) by Yiyang Chen and Shangren Pan. It first situates the picturebooks in the context of Taiwan’s publishing industry before conducting a close reading of the texts and discussing them from the lens of Taiwan’s recent economic conditions and social issues. I argue that although all three books present a message of hope, they contain some problematic passive ideologies. The Best Christmas Ever and Papa Bear Goes to Work in Another City imply that although families may suffer due to economic difficulties, they must accept this as “natural” or “the way it is” and make the most of the situation. Meanwhile, Black Kids suggests that neglected children must be empowered to make a living themselves to survive. However, the issue of child labor and the termination of schooling is never questioned.