The author, Baek Chang-hwa, reflects on the transition into the new year and the decision to undertake a long-desired project of renovating a bookstore. With a month-long closure, the author’s husband, who is described as an artist and woodworker, begins tearing down the old bookshelves, leading to an unexpected trip to Osaka for inspiration. Choosing to fly from the nearby Cheongju Airport instead of Incheon, the couple embarks on a journey that highlights the importance of tactile experiences in children's learning.

The primary destination in Osaka is the children’s library, 'Children's Forest of Books' in Nakanoshima Park, designed by renowned architect Tadao Ando. The library features open spaces with bookshelves that reach the ceiling, connecting different floors through spiraled corridors. This design ensures that every book is accessible, thereby eliminating the trend of placing mere decorative, non-functional books on display. The unique curation of books within the library is managed by book director Haba Yoshitaka, who organizes the literary journey of life into 20 themes, enhancing the reading experience for children.

With digital access becoming ubiquitous in schools and public libraries, the author emphasizes the significance of local bookstores and libraries that offer tangible connections for children and teens. The emphasis on real interactions in spaces like the Nakanoshima library serves as an antidote to the increasingly virtual world, positioning these small community bookstores as vital hubs of physical engagement and communication in our increasingly digital age.