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202504/22
Picture books on plants in Taiwan’s publishing market are almost all based on foreign materials or translations. In response, the Forestry and Nature Conservation Agency (FANCA) has published The Incredible Island, its first plant science picture book with native trees as the theme. The book launch was held today (04/22) to coincide with Earth Day. Everyone is invited to read about the ecological diversity and uniqueness of “Formosa,” an island located on the Tropic of Cancer.
Taiwan’s unique geographical location and its diverse climate, from tropical to frigid zones, have given birth to more than 4,000 native plant species on this island green ark. The abundant native tree resources have evolved into a distinct natural treasure trove. The FANCA specially held the book launch for The Incredible Island on Earth Day. This is also the first plant science picture book with Taiwan’s native tree species as the theme, conveying to all sectors of society the importance of natural resource conservation and the vision of sustainable management.
The Incredible Island was jointly planned and produced by the FANCA and Nicaslife. The book incorporates ecological science and artistic aesthetics. It uses exquisite illustrations and heartwarming writing to introduce the natural characteristics, ecological functions, and cultural applications of native trees from three main directions—“natural context of trees,” “ecological secrets of trees,” and “lifestyle perception of trees.” The content covers geology, climate, phenology, interactions between plants and animals, forestry products, and folk wisdom. It presents the diverse appearance and ecological positioning of Taiwan’s forests in an easy-to-understand manner.
Lin Hwa-Ching, Director General of the FANCA, said that the agency has recently been actively exploring relevant applications in horticulture, landscaping and non-timber industries, hoping to allow many distinctive plants to enter our lives from the depths of national forests. The Incredible Island is not just a picture book, but a gift that conveys the inspirations and emotions of nature. We hope that it can enter every home, campus, and library, so that everyone can enjoy the service value of Taiwan’s forest ecosystem and implement the concept of promoting the sustainable use of biodiversity.
For the book launch, Golden Tripod Award-winning science writer “Fat-Fat Tree” was invited, as well as several illustrated book review experts, to share insights into the production process and observations on Taiwan’s plant diversity. In addition, The Incredible Island will be donated to libraries across Taiwan to serve as an educational promotion book for parent-child reading, and to become the best auxiliary teaching material for promoting an understanding of island plants.
After the launch, The Incredible Island will be officially exhibited and sold at the Government Books Store and Wu Nan Books. We sincerely invite the public to leaf through the picture book, step into the world of Taiwan’s forests, and discover the miracles and surprises hidden in this green ark.