Co-organized by the Chinese Department and the English Department, this public lecture explored topics relevant to current literary trends. Dr. Kevin Chan and Dr. Ka Chun Ho from the Chinese Department discussed the use of AI and the ethical issues it raises in science fiction. Dr. Michelle Chan from the English Department focused on the use of text and pictures in Hong Kong children’s literature. The public lecture was hosted by Kristen Kwok, an Mphil student in the Chinese Department, and Carrie Lee, the PhD candidate in the English Department. 

 

 

In the section of the English Department, Dr. Michelle Chan introduced the history of children’s books in Hong Kong, the development of the local publishing industry, and the picture books by produced by some Hong Kong authors. Perhaps the audience may wonder what was included in local children’s literature, since most people did not usually pay much attention to the genre. Still, the genre emerged in the 1940s, and more children’s magazines and comics were gradually published over the years. Now, more picture books are printed for readers of all ages. They address not only the daily life of children, but also issues such as social connections within communities, animal rights, bereavement, and the problem of breeding farms.  

 

The public lecture provided a fresh perspective on Hong Kong and its society through the pages of picture books. By exploring the interplay between visual and textual narratives, the talk offered the audience an engaging introduction to Hong Kong picture books and their storytelling potential across media.