Young author Huynh Trong Khang has just released his latest children’s book titled Khu Rung Trong Chai (Forest in the Bottle) at the third HCM City Book Fair for Children held earlier this month. The 60-page book, published by Phuong Nam Books , has attractive and colourful drawings by young painter Nguyen Nhan, but contains a serious message on environmental protection.
Khu Rung Trong Chai tells the story of a boy named An An who is given a seed by a candy vendor. He plants it in a bottle. The seed later grows into a forest. As time goes by, the forest is gradually disappearing, and being replaced by skyscrapers and pollution. However, by the end, the forest is still there. “The book sends lessons about loving our earth and environmental protection to both children and adults, and calls for them to act for our planet,” Khang said.
“Children can plant their own seeds and turn them into small forests. Millions of small forests combine to form big forests that help to save our planet.” Born in 1994 in the Mekong Delta province of An Giang, Khang is known for short stories about life and youth such as Mo Phan Tuoi Tre (Tomb of Youth) and Be Trang Coi (Lonely Moon).
In 2020, Khang collaborated with author Chung Bao Ngan and illustrator Tran Quoc Anh to release the bilingual book Bo Khong Phai De An (Bo Is not for Eating) in Vietnamese and English. The book, published by the Vietnam Women Publishing House, consists of three short stories about the adventures of an avocado named Bo to discover the world. Khang said his favourite topic was philosophy, but he wanted to challenge himself. “I also love to write for children and bring them quality books,” he said.
The picture poem book titled Ba To La Runner (My Dad is a Runner) by author Bui Phuong Tam is published by the Kim Dong Publishing House with two editions in Vietnamese and English. The book brings child readers the story of a father who tries to balance between his passion and his family, and motivate children to pursue their own dreams and passions and make the right choices in life.
The 48-page book is illustrated by Jeet ZDũng, co-author and illustrator of two popular children’s bilingual graphic novels Chang Hoang Da – Gau (Saving Sorya: Chang and the Sun Bear) and Chang Hoang Da – Voi (Saving H’non: Chang and the Elephant). Tam began writing for children as a mother. Her first picture book, This is Tet!, has been translated into many languages and has become a favorite book for Vietnamese children in many countries.
She is pursuing studies in early childhood education at Portland State University in the US. The Tre (Youth) Publishing House has released a box set of Vietnamese editions of 20 titles from the famous series The Knowledge, Horrible Science, Horrible Geography and Horrible Histories These books are written and illustrated by Kjartan Poskitt, Hans Magnus Enzensberger, Anita Ganeri, Terry Deary, Martin Oliver, and Nick Arnold. The works consist of funny stories and illustrations that help children to increase their interest in and knowledge of science, history, and geography.
According to the publisher, the box set is suitable for children aged 10 and above, and even adults who want to learn more knowledge. The publishing house also presents a set of 16 colour comic books titled Lich Su Viet Nam (The History of Vietnam). Each book tells the story of the life and career of Vietnamese heroes such as the Trung Sisters and Tran Hung Dao, as well as the country’s important events. All books are available at bookstores across the country./.
