Outstanding books by artist Ngo Manh Lan

The 7th Cricket Children's Award - 2026, presented on May 22nd in Hanoi , honored the late Associate Professor, Doctor, painter, director, and People's Artist Ngo Manh Lan. He was honored with the Grand Prize "Lifetime Achievement - Cricket Knight" for his lifelong contributions to children's art. (Image source: Sports & Culture )

Besides being famous for his animated films (including 17 films he directed and 5 films in which he participated as an artist) and teaching, People's Artist Ngo Manh Lan also made contributions to the field of illustrating children's books and newspapers. His illustrations appeared in newspapers such as Thieu Nien Tien Phong and Nhi Dong , as well as in the works of writers such as To Hoai, Nguyen Dinh Thi, Vo Quang, and Pham Ho… The image shows a work from a series of illustrations about Saint Giong.

The picture books and illustrated books by Ngo Manh Lan have become an indispensable source of spiritual nourishment for the childhoods of many generations. The image shows the cover and illustrations by artist Ngo Manh Lan of the work "The Adventures of Cricket" . People's Artist Ngo Manh Lan illustrated To Hoai's fairy tale three times: the first time in 1959 when the work was published in Russia; the 1972 version of "The Adventures of Cricket" was revised; and in 1989 he once again designed the cover and illustrations for the work.

With his keen literary sensibility, artist Ngo Manh Lan has captured the essence of children's literature and expressed it in his paintings. Writer Vo Quang commented: "Ngo Manh Lan's main characteristic is a harmonious balance, many interesting details, and hints of joyful spirit." Writer To Hoai added: "Ngo Manh Lan's paintings are very lively and realistic." The image shows the book cover and illustrations for the work "The Kitten's Tet Holiday " (by Nguyen Dinh Thi).

Having contributed many artworks to the "Vietnamese Folk Tales" series, artist Ngo Manh Lan has left behind many works imbued with the Vietnamese spirit for children. Pictured is the artwork "The Van Lich Coin" (art by Ngo Manh Lan, compiled by Le Thanh Nga).

Ngo Manh Lan's picture books contributed to shaping the style of modern Vietnamese comic books. Pictured is the work "Mu Luong" (illustrated by Ngo Manh Lan, compiled by Hong Ha).

The paintings in the work "The Legend of the Five Mountains" vividly recreate the folk imagination.

The paintings in the work "The Legend of the Five Mountains" vividly recreate the folk imagination.

Although the Dong Ho painting "The Mouse Wedding" is already very famous, through the brushstrokes of artist Ngo Manh Lan and the narration of writer To Hoai, this folk work emerges with a unique and humorous touch.

The book "Two Doctors" (illustration by Ngo Manh Lan, compiled by Hong Ha).

The collaboration between writer Tô Hoài and artist Ngô Mạnh Lân in "The Story of the Toad and the Frog" has left children with an outstanding work. The arduous journey of the toad couple to sue the wealthy catfish owner in order to find their children is vividly recreated, incorporating a meaningful message.