Artist Pham Quang Phuc:

Vietnamese publishers have just received good news as the picture book "The Garden in Our Hearts" has been selected for the list of 150 Amazing Bookshelf/BolognaRagazzi Award 2026 - one of the prestigious international awards for children's picture and illustrated books, within the framework of the Bologna Children's Book Fair (Italy).

This milestone shows that Vietnamese comics and picture books are gradually asserting their position on the international publishing map. Author and artist Pham Quang Phuc shared with reporters from Hanoi Newspaper and Radio & Television about his creative journey, opportunities, and prospects for bringing Vietnamese comics to the world .

- Author Pham Quang Phuc is known as the only Vietnamese artist to have illustrated the global edition of the book "Harry Potter - The Wizarding Book". Could you share about the circumstances and your feelings upon receiving this honor?

- It was like a childhood dream come true - a rare and significant opportunity that I was fortunate enough to win. I went through months of trial drawing rounds before being selected as one of the seven official artists for the project. This was also the longest illustration project I've ever participated in, lasting over a year and a half. Luckily, I was eventually chosen to design the book cover. The project helped my artwork reach a wider audience.

- Compared to your previous project, how did creating the book "The Garden in Our Hearts" offer you a different creative experience?

- Unlike the Harry Potter project where I only participated in illustration, with the book "The Garden in Our Hearts," I handled both writing and illustration, making the work much more challenging. Initially, I had to decide everything myself, from the content to character design, overall visual direction and color scheme for the entire book, and create all the illustrations… Fortunately, the children's book brand Crabit Kidbooks later partnered with me and provided feedback and revisions to help my book become the best it can be today.

- Could you tell us a little about the book "The Garden in Our Hearts"?

- I've had the idea for this book for a long time, but it wasn't until my grandfather passed away and we went through the Covid-19 pandemic that I decided to finish it. The book is a simple story, but it contains what I want to tell. It's a message of sympathy and encouragement to those who have lost loved ones suddenly.

- The image of the garden is used as a metaphor throughout the work. How did you develop this idea to convey the message about emotions and memories?

- I grew up in the suburbs, and from a young age, I was familiar with my grandfather and father going to work early in the morning to plant reeds, harvest water spinach to sell at the market, raise pigs and quail... In my memory, the gardens and fields are where I experienced beautiful memories with my parents and grandparents. I liken these gardens to the soul of childhood and brought that idea into the book. Because this is a children's picture book, I also used many creative techniques to make the story more beautiful and engaging.

- Can you share more about how you use color and the language of painting to express the emotional journey of the characters in the story?

- I have a common color palette for all my books, which I'd call my personal color style. Each color evokes a different emotion. In each project, the challenge is choosing the dominant color tone. I've chosen the pinkish-red and green hues of flowers, leaves, and vegetables in the garden for cheerful scenes, and mossy, withered leaf tones for melancholic scenes. The precisely chosen colors help guide the reader's emotions into the garden of their heart in the most natural and heartfelt way.

- "The Garden in Our Hearts" has been selected for the 150 Amazing Bookshelf/BolognaRagazzi Award 2026, as part of the Bologna Children's Book Fair 2026. How do you feel about this news?

- I was very surprised and delighted. I had a hard time finding a publisher because the book tackles a topic often considered too heavy for young children and not easy to sell commercially... However, the book has proven that a work made with all one's heart can have a memorable journey, and now it has become a proud milestone for me. This professional recognition gives me more motivation and confidence for my future works.

- In your opinion, what is the significance of Vietnamese picture books appearing at prestigious international publishing events such as the Bologna Children's Book Fair 2026 for authors and the children's publishing industry in Vietnam?

- I think my small success is an encouragement for young people who want to pursue writing and illustrating books in Vietnam. It's not just me; many of my colleagues have also achieved notable successes in the international book market. These milestones demonstrate the potential of Vietnamese authors; with proper and serious investment, they can succeed and help Vietnamese reading culture make a stronger mark in the future and be more accurately recognized in the market.

- Can you share your next steps in writing, especially with children's picture books?

- I have many other ideas, and what I need to do is refine those ideas into works of art. I always strive to do my best and don't put pressure on myself to achieve results. I want to create books because I see it as a personal joy. I will be my own reader, writing and drawing the works that I want to read.

- We sincerely thank artist Pham Quang Phuc!

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/hoa-si-pham-quang-phuc-truyen-tranh-viet-day-tiem-nang-vuon-ra-the-gioi-744611.html