Believing that every life deserves to be embraced with tenderness, the Tainan Highest Good Education Foundation commissioned Assistant Professor Pi-Hun Yang of the National Pingtung University of Science and Technology (NPUST) Department of Child Care to transform the concern that people have for protected wildlife into a gift of love: the Animal Friends of Potter Forest life education picture book series. A book launch for the four-volume set was held to coincide with “World Wildlife Day” on March 3 (2026) with the hope of bringing attention to ecological conservation while also sharing stories of resilience with the public. Children from the NPUST Kindergarten, who were the first young readers of the series, were specially invited to be part of the book launch. From their innocent perspectives, they engaged in a gentle and profound imaginary dialogue with the animal protagonists in what was a clear example of life education taking root in an early childhood setting.
NPUST President Chin-Lung Chang expressed his gratitude for the support that the Tainan Highest Good Education Foundation provided in turning true stories from the Pingtung Rescue Center at NPUST into lively and vivid picture books. With each book recording the challenges animals face in nature, President Chang hopes that when children read these stories, they will learn to care for animals with gentle hearts and respect for nature—and that they will become “little heroes” who help do their part in protecting the environment.
Project leader and Assistant Professor Pi-Hun Yang of the Department of Child Care explained that the set includes four books: Momo’s New Home, Pipi’s Adventure, The Brave Le Le, and The Special Liger. These touching stories are all based on real rescue cases and life challenges from the Rescue Center. Faculty and students from the Department of Child Care participated throughout the entire process—including interviews, research, discussions, illustrations, and video dubbing. In this way, complex professional knowledge was transformed into beautiful teaching materials that resonate with children and inspire empathy. Through the text and illustrations, Potter the Asiatic black bear leads the children on a heartwarming exploration of the animal world, where they get to meet Momo the orangutan, who learns to be strong on the journey to find a new home, Pi Pi the crab-eating mongoose, who is curious and lively, Le Le the tortoise, who shows perseverance through challenges and Biao Biao the liger, who bravely accepts his own uniqueness.
The newly created picture book series is a reflection of the warm commitment NPUST and public welfare organizations have towards promoting life education. It is sincerely hoped that the principles of “respecting life and sustainable development” will act as a guiding light—much like the radiant sun over Potter Forest—brightening early childhood education and reaching every corner of society. By finding courage and acceptance through these animal stories, NPUST also hopes to see every child grow into a compassionate guardian of nature and all living things.
