Educational assistance, as a key link to stimulate endogenous motivation in the implementation of the rural revitalization strategy, plays a crucial role. As an important area in the process of rural revitalization implementation, the northern part of Xinfeng County is currently facing the dual predicament of scarce educational resources and broken cultural heritage. The traditional assistance mechanism is difficult to continue. However, picture books, as a medium that integrates educational warmth, artistic aesthetics, and cultural vitality, have not yet bloomed their due brilliance on the fertile soil of rural education. This article aims to be based on the actual situation of rural education in Xinfeng County, Guangdong, and to explore the potential power of picture books in cultural heritage, educational equity, and psychological health by using picture books as a carrier. It proposes the development path of localized picture books and injects sustainable educational power into rural revitalization.

Haiqing Zhan, Shiying Chen. An Academic Exploration of the Educational Assistance Pathways for Empowering Rural Revitalization in Xinfeng County, Northern Guangdong via Picture Books. International Journal of Educational Innovation and Science (2026), Vol. 7, Issue 1: 10-16. https://doi.org/10.38007/IJEIS.2026.070102.

[1]. Xiong Q, Yuan N. Rural Revitalization and Children's Picture Book Creation from the Perspective of Sustainable Development[C]//Department of Education of Guangdong Province. Proceedings of the Academic Forum on Art and Design Supporting the New Journey of Rural Revitalization (Volume II). Zhongkai University of Agriculture and Engineering, 2023: 253-260.

[2]. Huang Guohe. Approaches and Methods for Picture Book Art to Participate in Rural Revitalization[J]. Popular Literature & Art, 2024, (20): 226-228.

[3]. He Yu, Huang Zhenzhong. The Unique Value and Practical Reflections of Children's Literature in Promoting Poverty Alleviation[J]. Journal of Taiyuan Urban Vocational College, 2020, (02): 195-197.

[4]. Li Bingjie, Chen Hanxing. An Exploratory Study on Picture Book Design Based on the Psychological and Physical Characteristics and Reading Needs of Rural Left-Behind Children[J]. China Publishing Journal, 2023(23): 46-51.

[5]. Qiu Yue, Wang Xinghua. Research on Rural-Themed Picture Books Based on Grounded Theory[J]. Observation of Education, 2023, 12(36): 1-5+32.

[6]. Zhang Wenyan, Zhou Changyu. Current Status, Problems, and Development Strategies of Rural Children's Reading[J]. Science & Publishing, 2022, (05): 20-28.

[7]. Zhou Yan. Digital Strategies for Integrating Longchang Stone Archway Culture into the Development of Picture Books for Rural Kindergartens[J]. Asia-Pacific Education, 2025(06): 13-15.