Picture Book: Words Are Always Hard to Understand

**Author: Xu Zhaokang** **Illustrator: Wang Yuxi** **Publisher: Hope Learning** "Why aren't you paying attention?" "Is it that difficult? You're just lazy!" "Why can't you ever learn?" As a parent, have you ever scolded your child like this when their grades fall behind? But have you ever considered that perhaps your child just hasn't found the right method, rather than being lazy? In this book, author Xu Zhaokang shares his personal experiences to explain why some children struggle academically despite their best efforts, and guides both children and parents to find ways to overcome difficulties with recognizing and writing characters! The story follows Sei, who loves to read and has always used his unique methods to understand the world through words. However, his mother, wanting him to excel academically, hires a traditional, high-pressure tutor. Unexpectedly, this only causes Sei's grades to decline further! Fortunately, within the story's world, there's a chance for a new beginning. His cousin, who works at the library, understands that Sei's reading challenges stem from underdeveloped occipital lobes. He guides Sei to overcome his reading and writing difficulties with a tailored approach, rebuilding his confidence and reigniting his love for learning. These children who struggle with recognition and reading may or may not have a diagnosed "reading disorder" (also known as dyslexia). Don't be afraid of labels, and don't worry about being labeled. With the right training methods for the brain, some difficulties with recognition can be overcome. Moreover, every child is unique. As Wang Tianqiang, Director of the Hong Kong Tomorrow Arts Education Organization and the book's foreword writer, states: "Everyone is different, and that's neither a blessing nor a regret." He adds, "This book helps us understand that not being able to understand words isn't important; the key is to understand the child's heart." **Book Features** ★ This is a rare picture book on the market specifically addressing reading disorders, offering solutions for children and parents facing literacy challenges. ★ Adapted from the author's own true story, this book is a real-life, inspiring account. ★ It helps readers understand the brain structures involved in reading disorders and learn that improvement is possible through training. ★ Readers can participate in choosing the story's ending, enhancing engagement and interactivity, and demonstrating that even when facing difficulties, individuals can actively choose their own paths. ★ The book includes brain training games and provides access to more information via QR code to the "Focus Training Manual" website. ★ Printed in full color hardcover with exquisite illustrations, this book is durable. **About the Author** **Author: Xu Zhaokang** Creative Director of Hong Kong theater troupe Tomoto, Xu Zhaokang has been involved in social welfare and education through theater. Witnessing adults in their late twenties and thirties struggling in rehabilitation centers, he was deeply moved and resolved to dedicate himself to children's education, a path he has pursued for over twenty years. As someone with a reading disorder and having scored zero on the Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination, Xu profoundly understands the flaws of traditional education and the hardships faced by children with reading difficulties. To change the life trajectories of countless children, he began researching child brain development and specializing in left- and right-brain development eighteen years ago, nurturing numerous individuals. He currently works as an educational consultant, having founded "Brain Motion Ltd." and the Tomoto252 cultural and creative brand. Through storytelling, he helps children understand themselves and empowers parents and teachers to see the world from a child's perspective. IG & FB: Tomoto252 FB: 專注力訓練手冊 (Focus Training Manual) **Illustrator: Wang Yuxi** A designer and illustrator, Wang Yuxi runs the illustration brand U_C Illustration. The name U_C, reminiscent of a thoughtful emoji, expresses the hope that viewers will resonate with and find stories within their work. Through playful strokes, they aim to convey warmth and healing. **Exhibition Experience** 2022 Solo Exhibition "Adventure" 2022 Taipei Illustration Fair 2020, 2022 Taipei Illustration Festival **Endorsements** This book is endorsed by prominent figures in Hong Kong and Taiwan who champion diverse educational development for children, including: Foreword Wang Tianqiang (Director, Hong Kong Tomorrow Arts Education Organization) Co-Endorsers Yu Shan-lu (Assistant Professor, Department of Theatre and Drama, National Taipei University of the Arts) Jiryun (Lyricist) Dr. Lin Bo (Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist) Grad (Radio DJ) Sea Star (Founder and Principal, Shiang Shi Nature School) Chan Hung (Founder, Principal Chan Free Tutoring Centre) Chan Chiu-cheuk (Founder and Principal, Po Leung Kuk Ching Chung Home for the Destitute) Hui Hon-wing (Principal, Hong Kong Design Institute) Kwai Fa Tin (Host, Tim Ho Ancestor 3 Treasures Channel) (Listed in order of stroke count of surnames) **Endorsement Statements** Children's dislike for writing and difficulty with reading might be because the words they see are very different from ours. This book uses vivid and concrete illustrations to help parents understand their children's struggles, and the methods suggested within can help children enjoy the pleasure of reading. — Sea Star (Founder and Principal, Shiang Shi Nature School) My inability to read does not mean I don't understand principles. This is my story. — Chan Chiu-cheuk (Founder and Principal, Po Leung Kuk Ching Chung Home for the Destitute) Everyone's potential is different; there is no single path to learning. — Hui Hon-wing (Principal, Hong Kong Design Institute) Obstacles are meant to be overcome. Once overcome, they are no longer obstacles! Parents and students, keep going! — Kwai Fa Tin (Host, Tim Ho Ancestor 3 Treasures Channel) **Foreword** Understanding a Child's Heart Wang Tianqiang (Director, Hong Kong Tomorrow Arts Education Organization) Everyone is different, and that's neither a blessing nor a regret. The author shares his own confusion and fulfillment through personal experience, filled with rich insights. It turns out that words can appear blurry, requiring the creation of unique methods for memorization. Giraffes evolved long necks to eat leaves from trees. Pandas became herbivores after losing their taste for meat. Ostriches have long been ridiculed by the ignorant as symbols of escapism for tending to their eggs in the sand. Yet, they did not flee; their resilience in adversity came from adaptation and patience. Every animal is different and doesn't need to be cute to be appealing, like a panda. Nor does it need a long neck to stand taller than others. One simply needs to act according to their own traits and be true to themselves. Teachers and parents must observe their children's situations clearly, using patience, love, and care as nurturing elements. Understanding your child is the secret weapon of effective parenting. This picture book, through the author's actual experiences, symbolic content, and practical solutions, shares how to understand a child's heart. Knowing Sir Kang for many years, he has used his personal journey to assist children facing similar challenges, extending beyond mere compassion to become his mission. Perhaps, this book helps us realize that not understanding words isn't the most important thing; the key is to understand the child's heart. **Author's Note** **Sir Kang's Little Brain Encyclopedia** The story "Words Are Always Hard to Understand" is based on my real childhood experiences. These experiences caused me great hardship, leading me to spend eighteen years developing a concentration training program specifically for children with learning difficulties, hoping to help many underachieving children rediscover a joyful school life. The occipital lobe of the human brain is responsible for observation and reception, while the left occipital lobe governs visual observation of text. Speaking and writing are related to the connections in the left temporal lobe and left frontal lobe. Sei's difficulty in seeing words as blurry and hard to understand is due to underdeveloped nerve cells in his left occipital lobe. Underdevelopment of the left occipital lobe signifies that the nerve cells in this region have not received sufficient training, but this is a condition that can be improved. Continuous stimulation of the synapses in the left occipital lobe's nerve cells can lead to gradual improvement. But how can we stimulate the nerve cells of the left occipital lobe? One of the most crucial methods is to read paper books and words more often. How can we cultivate a child's interest in reading? First, we must maintain a child's curiosity about the world. Reading is a way to satisfy this curiosity, which then sparks an interest in the book's content. For children who are generally not interested in reading, parents can read with them. A simple technique is to hold your child in your arms while reading together. This makes them more likely to enjoy reading because physical contact increases dopamine levels in the brain, which surround nerve cells and stimulate their accelerated growth. Furthermore, parents can let their children feel loved, creating a sense of partnership on a psychological level, making them feel like they are facing the "monster" of words together. Parents must understand that for children who dislike reading, deciphering text is a daunting task, like a giant monster. Through the methods mentioned above, you can avoid opposition and establish a partnership. In addition to reading with your child, we have included three games to train eye movement and observation skills. We hope to stimulate the development of the posterior lobe of the brain through games and exercise the brain during play, as a joyful learning environment accelerates the growth of brain cells, making them smarter. So, parents and children, don't give up! You can overcome difficulties. Keep going! If you'd like to learn more and get more training game tools, please visit the FB page of "Focus Training Manual," which I founded. Additionally, I have developed Tomoto252's illustrated stories, hoping that the stories of Tutu the Rabbit will help more parents and teachers understand the needs of children from their perspective.