Domestic books dominate the children's literature market

A series of literary composition contests and spaces and experiences to promote reading culture were organized for children this summer. One of the encouraging signs is the explosion of domestic products instead of the import trend like previous years.

Writer Nguyen Nhat Anh shares his passion for writing for children at Kim Dong Publishing House. (Photo: LU MAI)

Since the beginning of summer 2023, publishing and book distribution units across the country have simultaneously launched new works and comprehensive communication programs for children. As one of the most active units, Kim Dong Publishing House has continuously launched many publications with diverse topics and genres in vivid forms.

Publishers pay special attention to preschool readers with attractive picture book systems, such as: "My Dad is a Runner"; the book series "I Love My Family"; the book series "Healthier Baby".

In addition, Kim Dong Publishing House also released a set of three short story collections including prose works for children by writer Tham Tam, including: "The Turtle Carrying a Parrot", "Two Jasmine Trees", and "The Water Dragon", a collection of fairy tales, folk tales and historical stories.

Also in the strategy of developing picture books, Tre Publishing House has just released an interesting book series called "Long stories about cats" including two books "Blindfolded Cat Catching" and "Cat Chasing Mouse" introducing Vietnamese folk games and nursery rhymes.

Next to that is the book series "Little Lessons" by author Nguyen Tan Thanh Truc and artist Minh Duc with cute stories about the world of plants and animals.

For readers aged 10 and above, publishing houses also publish many literary books, including those by famous writers and authors. Some notable examples include the excellent novel “Autobiography of a Pig” by writer Ly Lan; the short story collection “Let’s Tiptoe” by writer Nguyen My Nu; “Dong Vang Valley” by writer Trung Sy, etc.

Compared to a few years ago, it can be seen that book publishers today have proactively taken over the market with domestic factors instead of depending on translated books. This is a welcome signal that contributes to spreading more positively the cultural values and life of the nation to young readers.

Besides the generation of veteran writers who have become famous in this field such as Nguyen Nhat Anh with many new works and continuous reprints or writer Tran Duc Tien - who has just been awarded the 2023 Cricket Knight Award, we can also mention a generation of young authors who are joining the field enthusiastically and energetically, such as poet Nguyen Thuy Anh with two poetry collections "The Witch is Afraid of Ghosts" and "The Kitten Counts Ages"; writer Le Quang Trang with "Ca Linh Goes to School", author Moc An with "If One Day We Disappear"...

Besides literature books, publishers also focus on developing the market with books on scientific knowledge, skills, cultural dictionaries... and prioritize presentation in eye-catching, novel forms, and high-quality printing technology.

In general, the children's book market is currently receiving attention. In addition to book launches, units also organize many supporting and interactive activities such as the program "Children's Book Fair - Summer Discovery " by Dinh Ty books, "Summer Gifts" by Thai Ha books, "Happy Children's Day - Bustling Summer"... at Hanoi Book Street.

Kim Dong Publishing House also organizes a series of "Summer Reading Corners" every Saturday morning (from May 27 to August 26) at the Publishing House headquarters for children aged 3-11. In Ho Chi Minh City, the fourth Children's Book Fair - 2023 (from June 1 to 7) attracted more than 20 publishers and distributors in the city, with more than 16,000 books of diverse genres and rich content for children, a positive and remarkable result.

Recently, many young readers experienced the sea turtle growth model and learned about coral reefs right at the Ho Chi Minh City Youth Cultural House in the event "The Ocean is Home" organized by Lion Books Company. All the models on display were handmade in a 1:1 scale, helping children interact effectively, safely and absorb knowledge in the most vivid way.

At the event, the author of the book series “Sea Turtles and Corals” Huyen Machi, a sea turtle conservation volunteer of the International Union for Conservation of Nature in Con Dao in 2022, introduced and helped children get acquainted with knowledge related to the life cycle of sea turtles and the characteristics of corals. The seemingly dry knowledge was conveyed through witty and specific examples, making children enjoy interacting, answering questions and gaining a lot of important information.

During this summer, many creative campaigns for children, from the De Men Award (of the Sports & Culture Newspaper) to the announcement of the establishment of the Kim Dong Literature Award (of the Kim Dong Publishing House) and the launch of the creative campaign for children in the period 2023-2025... have created useful playgrounds attracting writers of diverse ages to focus on writing and contributing to the topic of children's literature.

Writer Nguyen Nhat Anh shared:

During book signings for readers on the occasion of new book releases, he was always moved when he saw grandparents bringing their grandchildren or parents bringing their children to meet the writer.

It was those wonderful adults who built a flowery path for children to walk on. So when they grow up, wherever they go, in shops, on trains, along dusty roadsides or during breaks at work, books are always in their hands.

The seeds of reading habits must be planted in children's minds from childhood, through stories, through books as gifts... so that the need to read sprouts and becomes a natural desire, like plants thirsting for light and air.

According to Nhan Dan Newspaper

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