Chongqing - How do we describe the world we live in? What kind of regional culture does our city possess? For children growing up in rural areas, these questions may seem abstract, as their impression of cities often comes from fragmented textbooks and short videos. To help them better understand their hometown culture and embrace the broader world, on August 20, "Ant Book Finder" partnered with the Luhai International Communication Foundation to launch the "Rural Reading Assistance: A Journey Through Chongqing via Books" charity event. The activity invited several rural children to the Junge Bookstore in Chongqing for a thematic event titled "From Books to the Horizon." Through themed sharing sessions, the event aimed to inspire rural children to love reading, read wisely, and read good books, thereby contributing to building a "Literary Chongqing."

Event scene. (Photo/The Organizer)

"Reading can help you discover your interests, and those interests may one day become a book of your own," shared Lilin (pseudonym), the event planner of "Ant Book Finder," during the activity. She recounted how one individual pursued their passion by "reading thousands of books and traveling thousands of miles," eventually becoming a creator.

Using the pop-up book Opening Chongqing, published by Chongqing Publishing House, as an example, she explained: "The author, Daxing, is a young designer with years of experience in paper art. Driven by a strong interest in Chongqing's culture, he conducted multiple field surveys and immersed himself in the city's streets and alleys to capture its unique atmosphere. By leveraging his expertise in paper art, he transformed Chongqing's landmarks and historical culture into vivid three-dimensional scenes, which have been warmly received by readers."

This award-winning pop-up book stands as a testament to how passion can be channeled into creative work. It shows children that creativity is not limited to one form—as long as they nurture their interests, embrace reading, and think actively, the sparks of inspiration they discover in books may one day become works that bring joy to others through their preferred medium.

As the children flipped through Opening Chongqing, the intricate three-dimensional scenes, such as the rail transit passing through buildings and the ancient town of Ciqikou, elicited exclamations of amazement. Eleven-year-old Li Wei marveled, "I never thought the scene of a train running through a building could be recreated in a book. It's incredible!" A parent accompanying the children praised the book, saying, "It's not just a book—it feels like a handmade gift filled with artistry and warmth."

To broaden the children's cultural horizons and stimulate their interests and creative potential, the organizers and guests also presented them with the book Waiting for Birds in Chongqing, which documents the natural ecology of Chongqing. In the form of an illustrated handbook, the book records hundreds of bird species observed by illustrator Sao Ba during her field research in Chongqing. It also introduces children to the fact that Chongqing, with its unique mountainous terrain, serves as a crucial passage for many raptors during migration, earning it the nickname "Eagle City." Bird-watching culture is increasingly gaining popularity among young people in Chongqing.

"We firmly believe that the significance of reading lies not only in acquiring knowledge but also in inspiring action. 'From Books to the Horizon' aims to break spatial limitations, allowing children to see the world through reading and further nurture their love for books," Lilin stated. She expressed a commitment to exploring more possibilities for combining reading with real-world experiences, helping more children enhance their intrinsic motivation for learning and cultural confidence.

"Ant Book Finder" is an urban cultural brand established by Chongqing Publishing House under the guidance of the Chongqing Municipal Office for Promoting Nationwide Reading. It aims to build a vibrant, passionate, and nostalgic reading community. Focusing on book content, reading, and cultural experiences, the community continues to host "Reading+" activities in a simple, friendly, and diverse format. These activities provide a platform for young scholars and cultural enthusiasts to share their reading experiences and life insights, allowing reading to nourish citizens and inject vitality into the development of a "Literary Chongqing" and a culturally strong city.