More Than Meets the Nose is a children’s book centered around Stinky Tofu, a quirky character inspired by a beloved Taiwanese dish. Through Stinky Tofu’s journey, readers are introduced to social-emotional learning (SEL) themes, exploring self-acceptance, resilience, and empathy. The book guides children in understanding emotions, appreciating others’ perspectives and embracing diversity.
Why a Children’s Book?
This project began as a personal mission to address a gap I experienced as an English teacher in Taiwan. While teaching English with classic American picture books, I realized my students rarely saw stories that reflected their own culture. This lack of cultural representation in learning materials motivated me to create a story that would resonate with my students. My goal is to celebrate Taiwan, allowing my students to see themselves in the story, while offering non-Taiwanese readers a glimpse into a culture that might spark curiosity or inspire travel.
Challenges
Creating a children’s book from scratch has shown me that learning design often begins with a wealth of ideas that gradually narrow down through constraints until they transforms into something tangible and purposeful. In More Than Meets the Nose, I faced questions about tone, genre, and audience focus, each of which required decisions that refined my scope. This iterative process—exploring, narrowing, and choosing—has been crucial to making the project manageable and focused.
A key challenge has been balancing SEL concepts with engaging storytelling. I learned that word choice is vital in conveying positive messages without unintended implications. For example, when drafting dialogue for Stinky Tofu, I initially included phrases like “I stink!” but realized that this could reinforce negative self-perception. Crafting language that is affirming and supportive while addressing self-esteem is delicate but essential to creating an inclusive and uplifting story.
Key Takeaways
Throughout this process, I have found that feedback and flexibility are invaluable in learning design. They aren’t setbacks but instead opportunities to enhance my work. Feedback from peers has helped me refine both storyline and language, ensuring that my message resonates with readers. Embracing these iterations has reinforced that effective design is a continuous cycle of exploration, adaptation, and growth.
This project has deepened my understanding of learning design as a dynamic and reflective process. By blending SEL themes with cultural education through a character like Stinky Tofu, I hope to create a story that not only addresses emotional growth but also invites young readers to celebrate diversity and self-acceptance. Ultimately, More Than Meets the Nose is more than a story; it is an invitation for children to see the beauty in themselves, others, and the world around them.
