Memoirs of the founder and developer of Hoa Hoc Tro Newspaper

The memoir, published by Kim Dong Publishing House, recounts the journey of more than half a century of a boy born in the northern border region, who grew up to become a student, studied geology, then became a science book editor, and a journalist writing for children and school-age children. Although it is a memoir, the pages not only tell personal memories but also recreate a part of Vietnamese history, culture, and education through the author's very specific and authentic experiences.

An energetic memoir about the founder of teenagers' favorite newspaper. Photo: Kim Dong Publishing House

With “The Cave Boy and Student Flower”, the author takes readers back to his childhood in the mountainous region of Cao Bang , living in a cave, fleeing from enemies, going to school following the sound of the gong... Amidst the deprivation, Nguyen Nhu Mai soon revealed his passion for literature. He established a student writing group, created the Rising Sun wall newspaper, boldly submitted articles to the Young Pioneer Newspaper and received his first royalties.

Entering his youth, in the atmosphere of nation building, the author chose geology, a difficult but practical profession. These years trained him in scientific thinking, discipline, and observation skills, qualities that later became an important foundation for journalism and writing.

After leaving school, the author worked at the Science and Technology Publishing House, persistently working as an editor, compiler, and translator for 25 years.

The most interesting and central part of the book is “Hoa Hoc Tro - a time of sublimation”. The author moved from the scientific publishing environment to Thieu Nien Tien Phong Newspaper, then together with his colleagues prepared, launched and developed Hoa Hoc Tro - a teenage newspaper associated with many generations of Vietnamese students.

Introduction about journalist and writer Nguyen Nhu Mai. Photo: Kim Dong Publishing House

In “The Cave Boy and Student Flowers”, author Nguyen Nhu Mai devoted many touching pages to readers, colleagues, young writers, and special memories with General Vo Nguyen Giap and international friends at the World Festival of Youth and Students in Algeria.

Later, he participated in writing books with the children's poetry collection "Woodpecker" and science books for children such as "Treasure in the Earth", "Curious to Strange Land", "From Inside the House to the Yard"...

With his colleagues, he participated in building history - geography books published at Kim Dong Publishing House such as "Our History - Old Stories Retold", "Talents are the Vitality of the Nation", "Good Stories of Vietnamese History", "Young Kings in Vietnamese History", "Nature of Our Country"... with the aim of making history closer and easier to understand for young readers.

“The Cave Boy and Hoa Hoc Tro” also provide a realistic and humane picture of wartime childhood, helping today's generation better understand how Vietnamese children grew up during the war.

The book also reflects a mirror of the determination, personality and social responsibility of a Vietnamese intellectual. From a boy living in a cave during the war, Nguyen Nhu Mai stepped into the light through the path of studying and working, then devoted his whole life to accompanying and supporting generations of young people.

Source: https://hanoimoi.vn/hoi-ky-cua-nguoi-sang-lap-va-phat-trien-bao-hoa-hoc-tro-723281.html