By Salma Danjuma
South Korean children’s author and illustrator Boram has urged Nigerian children to break free from the confines of textbook learning and embrace imagination and creativity as powerful tools for self-expression, innovation and global connection.
The author made the appeal during a two-day literary engagement with pupils in Abuja organised by the Korean Cultural Centre Nigeria (KCCN), where she introduced children to storytelling through interactive reading sessions and discussions on how books can shape young minds.
Boram said storytelling has the power to help children understand and communicate their emotions while encouraging them to see possibilities beyond their immediate environments.
“I wanted to create books that express the feelings of children, and that’s how I began writing. Children everywhere share the same emotions, dreams and curiosity, regardless of language or nationality.”
— Boram, South Korean children’s author and illustrator
The writer and illustrator, whose works span nearly 30 publications, explained that many of her stories emerge from everyday experiences, conversations, books and movies, proving that creativity often lies in ordinary moments.
She noted that her encounter with Nigerian pupils reaffirmed her conviction that children everywhere share similar emotions and dreams.
“They are children from another country, but we saw the same story and had the same fun. It was amazing, and I was happy to share my thoughts with them,” she said.
During the programme, Boram presented three of her books — Flap, Flap, Sunflower, Everyone Splash, and Even an Umbrella Needs an Umbrella — using the stories to demonstrate how imagination can transform simple ideas into meaningful narratives.
Administrative Officer of the Korean Cultural Centre Nigeria, Chidinma Tobins, said the initiative was designed to challenge the traditional perception of books as merely academic materials and inspire children to view reading and writing as creative pursuits with limitless possibilities.
“A lot of times, children see books mainly as textbooks. We wanted them to understand that someone actually wrote these books and had an idea behind them,” she said.
According to her, introducing children to authors and creative professionals can broaden their aspirations and encourage them to pursue unconventional paths.
“Some children may not want to follow the norm. We wanted to show them that it is possible and that their imagination can actually lead them somewhere,” she added.
The programme forms part of ongoing efforts by the Korean Cultural Centre Nigeria to promote cultural exchange and foster a reading culture among young Nigerians, while demonstrating that creativity and storytelling can bridge continents and inspire a new generation of thinkers and innovators.
