Celebrating Polish Creativity at TIBE 2025: Picture Books, Storytelling, and Hands-On Fun
2025年02月10日 / 2025TIBE
The 2025 Taipei International Book Exhibition (TIBE) welcomed Polish picture book creators Gosia Herba and Mikołaj Pasiński, whose unique storytelling and artistic styles captivated both young readers and adults alike. Organized by the Polish Book Institute, the Polish Pavilion featured a rich selection of Books from Poland and offered visitors an immersive cultural experience, highlighting the delicate artistry and vibrant creativity of Polish contemporary literature.
A Creative Duo: Merging Art and Storytelling
At the International Salon on Feb 9, Gosia Herba and Mikołaj Pasiński, a dynamic husband-and-wife creative team, shared their journey of co-creating picture books. Deeply influenced by Japanese animation, their works often feature onomatopoeic text, creating an engaging, immersive experience for readers.
The couple spoke about how their everyday lives blend seamlessly with their creative process. "Our work is like an ongoing dialogue," said Gosia Herba. While Gosia focuses on illustrations and Mikołaj handles the writing, their collaboration is fluid, with ideas bouncing between them. Gosia even shared her personal sketchbook — filled with doodles, spontaneous notes, and future character ideas — showing how inspiration often strikes in the most unexpected moments.
In an exclusive behind-the-scenes peek, Gosia revealed how her characters evolve through multiple iterations. One beloved character had over ten versions before reaching its final form, with each sketch carefully refining its posture, expressions, and even dance moves.
Interactive Workshops: Bringing Stories to Life
The Polish Pavilion didn’t just showcase books — it brought them to life through interactive workshops. Children had the chance to engage directly with Gosia Herba during hands-on sessions inspired by her books Balonowa 5 and Invented by Animals. These workshops allowed young participants to dive into the whimsical worlds of her stories while creating their own imaginative artwork.
One of the highlights was the workshop “On the Ocean Floor”, held at the Children’s Salon on Feb. 7. In this session, Gosia Herba guided children in building colorful underwater landscapes — but with a twist. "The underwater world doesn’t have to be limited to marine life," she told the kids, encouraging them to think beyond fish and coral.
The children enthusiastically responded, sketching not only submarines and mermaids but also imaginative elements like mobile phones and even the moon. Gosia joined in, happily fulfilling drawing requests — from octopuses and seahorses to anglerfish. When a child asked her to draw a dolphin, she humorously admitted halfway through, "I forgot what a dolphin looks like. Can I start over?" The candid moment sparked laughter throughout the room.
One of the most memorable requests came when a child boldly asked for a drawing of the Titanic, leaving Gosia pleasantly surprised by the child’s creativity. The workshop ended with a joyful group photo, with the children proudly displaying their artwork alongside the illustrator.
Polish Picture Books: A Window into Imagination
The Polish Book Institute’s presence at TIBE 2025 was more than just a display of books — it was a celebration of Polish culture, creativity, and storytelling. The Institute’s selection of books at Booth A1014 introduced Taiwanese readers to the diversity of Polish literature, while the workshops bridged the gap between creators and readers, fostering meaningful cultural exchange.
With the dynamic energy of Gosia Herba and Mikołaj Pasiński, TIBE 2025 offered visitors a glimpse into the rich world of Polish children’s picture books, leaving both kids and adults inspired to dive deeper into the art of storytelling.
As the book fair continues, the impact of these vibrant Polish stories will ripple far beyond the pages, reminding readers of all ages that creativity has no boundaries.