To nurture emerging talent in the fields of picture books and illustrated narratives in Taiwan, the Ministry of Culture launched the “Promising Talents in Picture Books and Illustration Books Grant Program” in 2024. The inaugural call for submissions received an impressive 920 applications. A panel of judges—comprising professionals with expertise in publishing, editorial work, and translation rights promotion—conducted a rigorous, months-long review process. In March 2025, 30 promising creators were selected. Among the selected works, 26 are picture books and 4 are illustrated narratives of some feature highly skilled techniques and boundless imagination; others brim with childlike wonder and are perfect for shared reading. Many are rendered in vibrant colors and delicate lines, capturing worlds where reality and imagination intertwine. A wide range of creative mediums is represented, including pencil drawings, collage, woodblock printing, embroidery, and needle felting—each with its own distinct style.
The Ministry will continue to support these emerging creators through comprehensive development programs, helping them refine their work and produce exceptional picture books or illustrated narratives, while also facilitating connections with publishers, translation partners, and interdisciplinary opportunities.
In addition to these 30 works, the Ministry of Culture also oversees the “Books from Taiwan 2.0” program, which annually selects original Taiwanese publications with strong international licensing potential. The program produces English-language samples and promotional materials, and promotes the selected works via a dedicated website, rights agents, and international book fairs. For more information, please visit the Books from Taiwan website (https://booksfromtaiwan.moc.gov.tw/) to browse featured titles and learn about translation and publication subsidies. For further inquiries, please contact the Department of Humanities and Publications illustrated Narratives of the Ministry of Culture: books@moc.gov.tw.