Arousing empathy
In Search of Light is a wordless picture book, a collaboration between author Phan Thi Khanh Quynh and Master of Special Education Nguyen Thanh Vinh, who is also the character of the book. The book depicts the childhood of Nguyen Thanh Vinh, a boy who lost his sight due to an accident at the age of 1 and had to leave his family to live and study at Nguyen Dinh Chieu Special Education School. Here, from a blind boy struggling in the darkness, Nguyen Thanh Vinh found the light of love, knowledge and connection.
Author Khanh Quynh said that her strength is language, but the publication In Search of Light was made in the form of a wordless picture book, so at first it was very difficult to express the characters' emotions.
“I remember the interviews with Nguyen Thanh Vinh to find ideas for the book, I was very moved and admired the lives of children like you. In life out there, not every child grows up with their parents, some grow up in orphanages, boarding schools, even on the sidewalks…”, Khanh Quynh recalls.
Mr. Le Thien Tri, Director of Room to Read's language development program, said, "In Search of Light" is the first brick in a long journey ahead. With a presentation mainly through pictures and "frugal words", the book opens up opportunities for students and teachers to experience the content visually, forming their own understanding based on their own feelings.
“Exposure to the blurred perspective of those with visual impairments helps them develop empathy and better understand the difficulties that their peers who need to integrate are facing in their studies and daily life. At the same time, a book with few words also encourages readers to create their own lyrics, thereby practicing their language expression skills,” said Mr. Le Thien Tri.
In addition, according to Mr. Le Thien Tri, “wordless” picture books are also a suitable format for hearing-impaired students, because they can receive information through images and symbols. This not only helps the book reach this group of students, but also creates interest and encourages them to read more picture books.
So that no one is left behind
Writer Nguyen Thi Kim Hoa is considered a symbol of spirit, will and determination. Despite her health limitations, over the years she has made constant efforts to produce many literary works for adults and children. In particular, one of her works about disadvantaged children that is loved by readers and has been reprinted many times is the long story Tay Chi Tay Em (Kim Dong Publishing House). The work was formed from her own story, a girl who was paralyzed since childhood, causing her two hands to be uneven.
“Since childhood, due to my health conditions, my worldview and growing up experience were a bit different from my friends. When coming to the topic of disadvantaged children, I wanted to introduce to readers our world - disadvantaged children - a world not only filled with sadness but also full of hope and sparkling happiness”, writer Nguyen Thi Kim Hoa shared.
As someone who has in-depth research on children's literature, researcher Trinh Dang Nguyen Huong (Institute of Literature) believes that publications for disadvantaged children are very necessary and valuable. Because according to her, for children in similar circumstances, they will easily find sympathy, see their presence, so that they feel they are not alone, that there are other children like them. From there, they will have more support and strength to look to.
However, according to Mr. Le Thien Tri, although the domestic children's book market is growing, diverse and rich, there are very few books suitable for children with disabilities. "Having the opportunity to access quality publications, designed to suit their own characteristics, will ensure that all children have equal opportunities to develop, and no one is left behind," said Mr. Le Thien Tri.
“Like other readers, disadvantaged children also need literary works that can touch their stories and feelings. Literature is not only a bridge to bring more sympathy and sharing from readers to disadvantaged children, but also a place where disadvantaged children can strongly speak up for their dreams of being recognized and loved,” writer Nguyen Thi Kim Hoa shared.
Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/dung-bo-quen-sach-danh-cho-tre-yeu-the-post788930.html
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